Now that 2024 is behind us, and I suspect most of us are breathing a sigh of relief, it is time to look forward to the year ahead and what changes we might see in the immigration space throughout 2025.
Looking back over the last 12 months, gives us some clues as to where things might be heading, particularly given the restoration of partner open work rights, just this month, a relaxation in some areas of compliance for employers under the Accredited Employer Scheme and an adjustment to the order of processing for temporary and resident visa categories.
These historical changes, suggest that the current Government is looking to reduce the obligations imposed on employers and move the Work Visa system back to something more aligned with previous policies – not necessarily a bad thing.
Changes to the AEWV System
The current Minister of Immigration has released a number of changes this year, mainly targeted at bringing a bit more balance to the Accredited Employers Work Visa (AEWV) system. Whilst some commentators were predicting this system to be removed at some stage, I don’t see that happening, given how much time and money has been invested in to rolling it out.
However, the system has been modified significantly with a focus on reducing the reliance on lower skilled migrants, with the introduction of minimum skill thresholds, as well as removing partner and child visa options, where the main work visa holder is in a lower skilled role.
The second round of AEWV changes looks set to modify the categories of accreditation, bringing some relief to larger, more established employers which will help increase processing times, while reducing compliance issues.
The median wage looks set to be reviewed as a part of the process and there could also be changes to how labour market testing is conducted, particularly when it involves Work & Income for lower skilled roles.
Processing Changes
Alongside changes to the rules, we have also seen a number of updates to the way visas are being processed, spurred on by responses (by employers, applicants and our industry) to excessive delays with job checks and work visas.
Applications are now being grouped according to various profiles, and then processed accordingly. So applications with higher degrees of work required, will still take time, but those from well-established employers with higher skilled roles, that are well documented will be processed more quickly.
I have no doubt that 2025 will bring about further changes both to the rules and the way visas are processed, but it does appear that these changes are aimed at getting the system pointing in the right direction.
I also have no doubt that as the year rolls on and confidence returns to the market, we will see interest from offshore applicants (and certainly demand for them) increasing and so being ahead of the curve in terms of visa rules and processing updates will be crucial for many employers.
About the Author
Paul Janssen is the Manager of Turner Hopkins Services, a specialist New Zealand immigration consultancy, based in Takapuna, Auckland. Paul is fully licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority and has nearly twenty years of industry experience, assisting families, individuals, and businesses to navigate the complexities of the visa system.
Paul and his team work together with their clients, providing realistic and practical advice in a timely and easy to understand manner. Identifying issues at the outset, mapping out the steps involved and managing all aspects of the relocation process.