The New Zealand Government is introducing a maximum continuous stay of five years on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for those who are not clearly on a pathway to residence.
To align with this change, the maximum duration of an Accredited Employer Work Visa will be extended from three years to five years, from November 2023. This five year duration will be applied to all new visas, current visa holders will be able to apply for a further visa to get up to five years in total, which includes time already spent on an AEWV.
At the end of their five year AEWV, people who do not meet the education, qualification, occupation or wage thresholds for skilled residence pathways will need to leave New Zealand for 12 months before applying for another AEWV. Time spent on other temporary visas (e.g., a Post Study Work Visa or Working Holiday Visa) will not count towards the five-year maximum continuous stay for AEWV holders.
This is an initial announcement by the Minister of Immigration and more information will be available over the coming months, make sure to register with us to be the first to know of any further changes!
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