Maximum AEWV Duration and Extended Visa Periods.

The Changes Faced By AEWV

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is going to undergo major changes. From November 27, 2023, onwards, there will be both maximum continuous stay limit and an increased visa validity.

The changes that are going to be made in AEWV from 27th November 2023 are:

• There are people who have an AEWV. For them, a maximum continuous stay will be introduced.
• Those who earn at least a median wage, their length of the AEWV will be increased from 3 to 5 years.
• There are people in the care workforce sector who have been paid at least the level 3 pay rate. For them, the length of the AEWV will be increased from 2 to 3 years.

Imagine that you are paid at least the median wage and that your AEWV is approved from 27th November 2023, then up to 5 years your visa may last(visa length) or on 1 or more AEWVs, you can spend up to 5 years (maximum continuous stay).

If you wish to acquire an Additional Entry Work Visa (AEWV) five years from now, you must ensure that you have spent a continuous period of at least 12 months outside of New Zealand prior to applying. After completing a consecutive 12-month duration outside of New Zealand, you could potentially qualify for an additional AEWV, which might grant you an extension for up to 5 more years.

A person can apply for the balance of the 5-year or 3-year visa if they have an AEWV that was approved before 27 November 2023 and is eligible for the longer visa length. It is to be noted that another Job Check is not needed for them if their role and visa conditions remain the same.

Maximum Continuous Stay

A person is permitted to remain on an AEWV before taking a break outside New Zealand to become eligible for a new AEWV during a certain period. Such a period is called maximum continuous stay. So, your maximum continuous stay will be 5 years from 27th November 2023 onwards, if you are paid at least the median wage.

The maximum visa length doesn't match the maximum continuous stay

It's important to note that the maximum visa length doesn't necessarily match the duration of the maximum continuous stay.

Any subsequent AEWVs you secure will be restricted to a duration up to the maximum continuous stay, if the maximum continuous stay is greater than the maximum visa length designated for your role.

Determining the duration of maximum continuous stays

Suppose we want to figure out how long we can stay continuously. It can be figured out from the date:

• When your first AEWV was issued, or
• When you arrived in New Zealand on an AEWV, if your AEWV was issued while you were outside New Zealand.

If you haven't completed the necessary period outside New Zealand, the time you spent on an AEWV approved prior to November 27, 2023, including instances where the pay was below the median wage, will factor into the calculation of the new maximum continuous stay.

It is important to note that until you've satisfied the criteria for staying outside New Zealand, your continuous stay limit remains unchanged.

It should also be noted that the time you spent on temporary visas such as visitor and student visas, other work visas such as post study, partnership or working holiday visas and an Interim Visa cannot be included in maximum continuous stay.

After reaching maximum continuous stay

Now what to do after reaching maximum continuous stay?

Well….. after reaching maximum continuous stay, to be eligible for another AEWV, you should have to leave New Zealand for at least the required amount of time.

If a person has the median wage or above, or if he has below the median wage in a role other than meat and seafood processing, then they have to remain outside New Zealand for an uninterrupted 12-month duration.

Like that, a 4 month time period is there for those who have below the median wage in a meat or seafood processing role.

Suppose you have not yet reached the duration of maximum continuous stay, but if you've fulfilled the necessary period away from New Zealand, then:

• you will be eligible for another AEWV
• your new AEWV visa length will be the maximum for your role, and
• the maximum continuous stay of your AEWV will be reset

The AEWV timeframe for positions that pay the median wage or higher

Duration of AEWV for positions with salaries equal to or exceeding the median wage

For those individuals who have been paid at least the median wage from 27th November 2023, their maximum length of an AEWV will be increased from 3 to 5 years.

Now, if you have an existing AEWV, then it is possible for you to apply for another AEWV to receive the visa balance of 5 years from 27th November 2023. But, in order to apply for another AEWV, the person should have an approved AEWV before 27th November 2023. Another option is that if an individual has a job that pays least the median wage at the time, they can apply for another AEWV.

Keep in mind that to be eligible for an AEWV for up to 5 years, you have to stay for 12 months outside New Zealand.

Duration of AEWV for care workforce positions paid below the median wage

Starting November 27th, the maximum AEWV duration for care workforce workers paid below the median wage increases from 2 to 3 years, applicable to all approved applications where the job or job offer meets at least the level 3 pay rate.

The increase of AEWV will give workers who are paid at the level 3 pay rate enough time to complete the level 4 qualification and move to the higher pay rate and pathway to residence. The workers who are moved to the level 4 pay rate will get the maximum continuous stay of 5 years by applying for a further AEWV. If the workers have completed the required 2 years of work experience at the level 4 pay rate, they can apply for residence.

Starting November 27, if you have or had an AEWV as part of the care workforce sector agreement approved before November 27, 2023, and haven't met the necessary time spent outside New Zealand, you can apply for the remaining 3 years of your visa balance.

Employers guiding employees through AEWV duration expansion processes

If you pay at least the median wage or employ your worker under the care workforce sector agreement, you can assist them in applying for their remaining visa length.
Additionally, you won't need to perform another job check or issue a new job token if:

• Your employee already has an AEWV on November 26, 2023.
• You provide them with the same role, in the same location.
• You continue to pay them at least the amount specified in their current AEWV conditions.

If you have a doubt or if you want to know more about us, visit us. We, Derrick Jones Immigration, one of the best immigration consultancy in the world, will be with you in your visa journey providing you immense support and guidance.