EDGE Immigration Ltd NZ, 30 Kaimanawa Road, Karaka Lakes, Auckland (2026)

17/06/2026

INZ confirms final SMC changes effective in August 2026

24/05/2026

NEW English language requirements announced by INZ:

From 1 June 2026, Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) minimum English language requirements will apply to ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations.

Currently, people applying for an AEWV at ANZSCO or NOL (National Occupation List) skill level 4 or 5 must show they can speak and understand English. They can meet this requirement through their English ability from citizenship, working and studying or by taking an English language test.

English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa

From 1 June 2026 people applying for an AEWV at ANZSCO or NOL skill skill 3 will also need to meet this requirement.

Find your job's skill level

Extending English language requirements supports better integration, helps migrants understand their rights and obligations, and raise concerns about non-compliant employers.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications are not required to meet the minimum standard of English, and the requirement does not apply to Job Change applications.

People already on an AEWV that expires on or before 1 December 2026 who want to apply for a new AEWV will not have to meet the new requirements.

Transitional arrangements for people who already have an AEWV
No one with a current AEWV will be affected retrospectively while their visa is valid.

To ensure fairness and continuity, the following targeted transitional arrangements will apply:

People with an AEWV whose visas expire on or before 1 December 2026 will be exempt from the new English language requirement when applying for a further AEWV at skill level 3.
People on an AEWV who have already provided evidence that they can speak and understand English as part of a previous AEWV application will also be exempt.
For migrants, the change does not affect existing visas, employment, or current lengths of stay. The transitional arrangements are designed to ensure people already contributing to New Zealand’s workforce are treated fairly and given enough warning to arrange and sit a test and obtain the report before their visas expire. It also sets clear expectations for future applicants, noting that not all individuals will be covered by an exemption.

For employers, the change provides greater consistency and clarity across skill levels and allows forward planning when recruiting into skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026.

Migrants who apply for an AEWV at skill level 3 from 1 June onwards will need to meet the new English language requirements, even if their employer received a job check token before 1 June 2026.

You can read more on the Beehive website:

English language requirement extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles — Beehive.govt.nz

12/03/2026

Excellent news for many

04/03/2026

Lates news from INZ:

Further detail on Skilled Migrant Category changes released
Last year, the Government announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) to introduce 2 new pathways – the Skilled Work Experience Pathway and the Trades and Technician Pathway – increased points for New Zealand qualifications, and reduced New Zealand skilled work experience required under the Points-based pathway. These changes will come into effect in late August 2026.

Further details about these changes have been released today, including 3 important lists:

The Trades and Technician Pathway list – Migrants working in these occupations qualify for this pathway if they have a relevant Level 4 or above qualification, and 4 years of directly relevant skilled work experience gained post-qualification, including 1.5 years in New Zealand at the SMC median wage.

The Amber list – Migrants working in these occupations are not eligible for the Trades and Technician Pathway and can only apply for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway if they have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in New Zealand, including 2 years of skilled work experience earning at least 1.2 times the SMC median wage.

The Red list – Migrants working in these occupations cannot use these new pathways. They will only be able to apply for residence under the SMC if they can claim 6 points under the existing pathway. This may be achieved by earning at least 1.5 times the SMC median wage, holding a bachelor’s Level 7 qualification or higher, or having a recognised occupational registration. They must also meet the required skilled work experience in New Zealand.
Changes have also been confirmed that will apply to all SMC pathways from late August 2026, including:

Median wage requirements simplified: Migrants applying based on their work experience will not need to meet the latest SMC median wage when they apply for residence. Instead, they must meet the SMC median wage rate (or the rate for their pathway) in effect at the time they began to gain their New Zealand skilled work experience.

Grace period for some median wage calculations: If a migrant begins skilled work experience within 5 months of their work visa being granted, the wage threshold that applied on the day the visa was granted will be used, even if the median wage has increased in the meantime.

Clarification of qualification requirements: Migrants claiming points for Level 8 or 9 qualifications must also hold a bachelor’s degree (which can be gained in any country). Applicants claiming 5 points for a New Zealand Level 9 master’s degree are exempted from this requirement (though must hold a bachelor’s degree if they are claiming 6 points for a New Zealand master’s degree).

Longer English test validity for some migrants: English language test results will be valid for 5 years for applicants who hold a valid occupational registration.

New occupational registration recognised: Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand who have membership with the Certified Practising Accountants Australia will receive 6 points under the SMC.
From 2027, migrants who need up to 12 more months of skilled work experience can apply for a further Accredited Employer Work Visa to complete the skilled work experience they need to apply for residence.

Address

30 Kaimanawa Road, Karaka Lakes
Auckland
2113

Website

http://www.edgeimmigration.co.nz/

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