Big immigration changes are coming 9 March 2026
Immigration New Zealand has announced several important immigration updates that will take effect from 9 March 2026, including an increase to the immigration median wage and the addition of 47 new roles to the National Occupation List (NOL) for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications.
Here’s what you need to know:
Immigration median wage increasing to $35.00 per hour
From 9 March 2026, the immigration median wage will increase from $33.56 to $35.00 per hour.
While employers are now only required to pay the market rate for AEWV roles, the median wage is still used for a number of other immigration settings, including:
- Eligibility for certain visas
- Work experience requirements for skilled residence pathways
- Green List and residency pay thresholds
- Exemptions from advertising and minimum skill requirements (roles paid at least twice the median wage)
- Maximum 5-year stay rules for some lower-skilled roles (paid at least 1.5 times the median wage)
- Income thresholds for supporting partners and dependent children
Wage thresholds for skilled residence pathways will also increase in line with the new median wage. This includes the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List, and Transport Work to Residence.
Partner and dependent income thresholds also increasing
From 9 March 2026, partner and dependent income thresholds will rise, including:
- Skill level 1-3 partner support threshold: increasing from $26.85 to $28.00 per hour
- Green List partner support threshold: for levels 1-3 increasing from $33.56 to $35
47 new roles added to the National Occupation List (NOL)
At the same time as the median wage update, 47 new occupations will be recognised at skill levels 1 to 3 under the National Occupation List for AEWV applications.
The NOL is New Zealand’s new job classification system. It is gradually replacing ANZSCO, and is currently used only for AEWV applications, not for skilled residence pathways.
The skill level of a role determines key requirements such as:
- Advertising and MSD engagement obligations
- English language requirements
- Visa length
- Whether migrants can support partners or dependent children
Higher-skilled roles generally face fewer requirements and offer more favourable visa conditions.
The new roles that will be added to the NOL are:
| Skill level 1 occupations | Skill level 2 occupations | Skill level 3 occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Remote Officer | Aged Care Coordinator | Meat Boner/Meat Cutter |
| Chief Sustainability Officer | Wine Laboratory Technician | Consumer Advisor |
| Head Chef/Executive Chef | CAD draftsperson | Launch Technician - Mechanical |
| Organic Conservation Specialist | Biomedical Technician | Other Chef |
| Building Information Modeller | Environmental Engineering Technician | Demi Chef de Partie |
| Accessible Format Specialist | Reinforcing/Structural Steel Detailer | Peer Support Worker |
| Physician Associate | Digital Imaging Technician | Ski Patroller |
| Virtual Reality (VR) Specialist | Environmental Technician | Timber Machinist |
| Augmented Reality (AR) Specialist | Energy Assessor | Senior Timber Treatment Plant Operator |
| Enterprise Architect | Chef de Partie | Advanced Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator |
| Joinery Manager | Sous Chef | Ice Cream (Process Control) Machine Operator |
| Joinery Project Manager | Urban Forester | Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) |
| Chief of Staff | Nursery Production Leading Hand | |
| Executive Assistant (CEO/Board Level) | Videographer | |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | ||
| Legal Practice Manager | ||
| Embalmer | ||
| Skydiving Instructor (Solo) | ||
| Tandem Skydiving Master/Instructor | ||
| Administrative Professional | ||
| Accounting Practice Manager |
Roles being reclassified to skill level 4
3 occupations will move from skill level 3 to skill level 4:
- Pet groomer
- Nanny
- Kennel hand
This change will affect any Job Check applications submitted on or after 9 March 2026 for these roles.
What this means for employers
From 9 March 2026, employers can submit Job Checks for any of the 47 newly recognised NOL occupations at skill levels 1-3.
This includes newly clarified chef roles, which have now been split into clearer occupations based on skill and seniority (such as Head Chef, Sous Chef, and Chef de Partie).
For some current AEWV workers in skill level 4 or 5 roles, this update may also provide an opportunity to extend their maximum continuous stay, if their employer has an approved Job Check for a relevant NOL skill level 1-3 role and the worker is suitably qualified.
What this means for migrants
For migrant workers, these changes may directly affect visa eligibility, visa length, family support options, and residence pathways.
Depending on your role and pay rate, this update could:
- Improve your chances of qualifying under higher skill levels
- Allow you to extend your stay under a new AEWV
- Change whether you can support a partner or dependent children
- Affect whether your current pay still meets residence or Green List thresholds
If your occupation is newly recognised under the NOL at skill levels 1-3, or if your role is being reclassified, it’s important to understand how timing and pay rates affect your options.
What should you do now?
These are significant changes, and the impact will vary depending on your role, pay rate, visa history, and future plans.
If you are an employer planning to hire or retain migrant staff, or a migrant worker navigating AEWV renewals, residence pathways, or family visas, now is the time to review your situation and plan ahead.
For advice specific to your situation, speak with one of Greenstone Immigration’s 9 Licensed Immigration Advisers. We work with both employers and migrants to provide clear, practical guidance and help you prepare confidently for upcoming changes.
Licensed Immigration Adviser