We have seen so many changes happening in the industry but never it was foreseen that along with other visa categories, partnership visas would also achieve a limelight for migrant families.

There are so many situations a migrant face and one of the things they find relaxing is the idea be to re-united with their partner. Many migrants intend to sponsor their partner to get that extra support from the person they love by calling them on Partner of Worker Work visa. Little did they knew how one day would change the dream of thousands and hundreds of migrant workers.

Yes, you are guessing it right I am talking about 26th June 2024 changes which were brought by the Immigration New Zealand. Though the team made it easy to hear that migrants can now support partners for work visa, but they forgot to mention that it comes with a cost, i.e., any partner supported and approved of a partnership work visa would be required to work only for a specific accredited employer and earning a median wage rate which is NZ$29.66.

However, bringing this change did not help much as though migrants were able to support their partners for work visa but the most challenging part was to find a job for their partner. Considering recession was around the corner, many partners struggled to be supported by an employer with a median wage.

Finally on 23 October 2024, an unexpected but positive news came, where Immigration New Zealand mentioned that they are going to remove the conditions for partners of work visa holders. They mentioned that from 2 December 2024, Partners of Worker work visa holders would be able to work for any employer and that the requirement to earn a median age will be completely waived off.

Immigration Minister, Hon Erica Stanford specifically mentions that New Zealand is committed in growing the economy and by implementing this rule it will help many businesses to just pay a minimum or living wage to get their business up and running. A good and much needed move we all were expecting to happen from such a long time.

• All partners of AEWV [Accredited Employer Work Visa] holders working in ANZSCO level 1-3 role and earning at least NZ$25.29 per hour
• If the partners were previously supported for a work visa on or before 26 June 2024
• All partners of Essential Skills work visa holders earning at least NZ$25.29 per hour

• The supporting partner needs to earn at least NZ$47.41 per hour, or
• The supporting partner earning at least NZ$31.61 per hour in a Green List role and meeting the Green list requirements for that role, or
• The supporting partner earning at least NZ$25.29 per hour and meeting the requirements of roles in Transport Sector or Care Sector agreements.

NB: If the wage specified in such sector agreements is high, then that wage will be considered in order to support the partners.

The breaking news is that partners who are currently holding partner work visa with conditions would also be privileged to vary their conditions to move to open work visa rights. The partners would be able to do that from 2 December 2024.

At Alrick Global Solution we help unite families and we believe that with togetherness one can achieve anything they desire. All we want is that you take just one step with us and allow us in re-uniting you with your loved ones. Please contact our licensed immigration advisers to know what rules will apply as per the above scenario and we will ensure to straighten the curve ahead of you.