New Zealand Adds 47 Jobs to Work Visa List

Foreign workers planning to move to New Zealand should note a major update from Immigration New Zealand.

From 9 March 2026, 47 additional occupations will be recognized at skill levels 1–3 under the country’s new National Occupation List (NOL) for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

What Is the National Occupation List (NOL)?

The National Occupation List (NOL) is New Zealand’s new job classification system, replacing the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

Announced in November 2024, the NOL aims to better reflect New Zealand’s own labor market rather than using a shared Australia–New Zealand framework. While many applications are still assessed under ANZSCO, the transition to NOL is accelerating.

47 Occupations Now Recognized at Skill Levels 1–3

From 9 March 2026, employers can submit Job Checks for 47 newly recognized roles at higher skill levels. These include occupations in:

• Hospitality (Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Chef de Partie)
• Construction and Engineering
• ICT and Software Development
• Healthcare (Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist)
• Education (Primary, Secondary, Early Childhood Teachers)
• Trades (Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter, Diesel Mechanic)
• Agriculture and Horticulture

Skill level classification affects:

• Visa conditions
• Partner sponsorship eligibility
• Maximum stay duration
• Residence pathways

Labor Market Testing Still Required

Employers must still:

• Advertise the role for at least 14 days
• Make genuine efforts to hire a New Zealander
• Prove no suitable local candidate is available

Only then can they proceed with hiring a migrant worker under AEWV.

Some Roles Downgraded

Three occupations have moved from skill level 3 to skill level 4:

• Pet Groomer
• Nanny
• Kennel Hand

New applications for these roles will now face stricter English, wage, and partner sponsorship conditions. Current visa holders are not affected.

Immigration Median Wage Increasing

From 9 March 2026, the immigration median wage will rise to NZD $35.00 per hour (June 2025 data).

This impacts:

• Green List pay requirements
• Exemptions for high-paid roles
• 5-year stay rules
• Partner and dependent child sponsorship thresholds

New Partner Support Income Thresholds

• Skill Level 1–3: NZD $28.00/hour
• Skill Level 4–5: NZD $52.50/hour
• Green List roles: NZD $35.00/hour

Residence pathways under categories like the Skilled Migrant Category will also see higher wage requirements.

What This Means for Migrant Workers

New Zealand is refining its immigration system to better target genuine skill shortages while tightening rules for lower-skilled categories.

If you are planning to apply in 2026, you should:

• Check your occupation under the NOL
• Review updated wage thresholds
• Confirm partner sponsorship eligibility
• Coordinate early with your employer

Even small classification changes can significantly affect visa outcomes — and in New Zealand’s immigration system, details matter.