Dependents No Longer Allowed For Certain Accredited Employer Work Visa Holders

At a Glance

• Effective June 26, 2024, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that most Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders working in roles classified as ANZSCO level 4 or 5 (which are generally lower-skilled) are no longer permitted to support work, student or visitor visas for their dependent family members, with some limited exceptions.
• Partners and dependent children may still apply for their own work, student or visitor visas provided they independently meet the immigration qualifications for those visas.
• Current holders of AEWV dependent visas will not be impacted until the expiration of their visa. Applications from partners or dependent children of AEWV holders that were received by INZ before June 26, 2024, will be evaluated based on the more relaxed requirements in place at that time.