New Zealand to expand skilled occupation list for work visa applicants from November 3

From November 3, 2025, 91 new skilled occupations will be recognised under New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme, as per Immigration New Zealand. The recognition is part of a wider shift to the National Occupation List (NOL), which replaces the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and reflects the country’s current labour market needs.

Under the new changes, employers will be able to submit job checks for the newly recognised skill level 1 to 3 roles. Workers in these roles can stay longer in New Zealand and may be allowed to bring their families. Those currently in directly relevant skill level 4 or 5 positions can also move into one of the 91 newly recognised roles if they have at least three years of related experience or hold a recognised qualification.

“From this date, employers can submit a job check for any of these newly recognised roles,” Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said in its announcement.


The new occupations will appear alongside existing ANZSCO codes in the updated Immigration Online system.

Employers must continue to follow standard procedures, including advertising the job locally and attempting to hire a New Zealander before offering it to a migrant worker. They must also be accredited and apply for a new job check when recruiting under one of the new NOL roles. The job description and pay must match the responsibilities and skill level defined in the NOL or ANZSCO system.

All existing AEWV conditions for skill levels 1 to 3 will remain in place. Eligible migrant workers can stay in New Zealand for up to five years, provided they meet the wage threshold and visa criteria.

The NOL became New Zealand’s official job classification framework in November 2024 and was last updated in July 2025. It will be reviewed every year to keep pace with changing job trends. The transition from ANZSCO to NOL is being introduced gradually to give employers, migrants, and immigration advisers time to adapt.

The update highlights a key step in modernising New Zealand’s immigration system and ensuring its visa framework better reflects the country’s evolving workforce requirements.