In the latest news from Immigration New Zealand, changes are being made to provide open work rights to more partners of migrant workers, which will allow them to work for any employer. These positive changes will help New Zealand to attract and retain workers in sectors that are facing skill and labour shortages, as well as to help families stay together. These changes will come in to force from the 2 December 2024, from when open work rights will be available to: all partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) working in an ANZSCO Level 1-3 role and earning at least $25.29 an hour (equivalent to 80 percent of the standard median wage) partners of AEWV holders earning at least $25.29 an hour if they were already supporting a partner for a work visa on 26 June 2024 all partners of Essential Skills work visa holders earning at least $25.29 an hour Partners of AEWV holders working in an ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 role will also be eligible for open work rights, provided they are: earning at least $47.41 an hour (150 percent of the standard median wage), or earning at least $31.61 an hour in a role on the Green List and meeting the Green List requirements for that role, or earning at least $25.29 an hour (80 percent of the standard median wage) and meeting the requirements of a role in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements (or the wage specified in the sector agreement, whichever is higher) If you currently hold a partner work visa that is subject to specific employment conditions, you will be able to apply to change the conditions to open work rights, provided your partner meets the above criteria. If you are in this situation then please reach out to us so that we can assist you. You can read more about these changes on the Immigration New Zealand website here.