New Zealand Eases Work Visa Rules, Exempting Key Roles

Immigration New Zealand has published new conditions allowing employers to bypass the Labour Market Test when hiring foreign workers through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme. Typically, this test requires employers to demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit locally before seeking overseas talent.

However, two categories are now exempt: first, positions offering remuneration of at least NZ$67.12 (N51,043.27) per hour, and second, occupations listed on New Zealand's Green List, provided they meet specific minimum requirements. The Green List identifies roles in critical shortage, indicating a recognized lack of local talent.

When the Labour Market Test is required, employers must show they have made genuine attempts to advertise and recruit New Zealand workers, and that these efforts did not yield suitable candidates. Both conditions must be satisfied for the test to be considered met.