New Zealand has changed its immigration regulations to allow partners of international students enrolled in particular higher education programs to apply for work visas.
These revisions aim to make New Zealand a more appealing destination for students and their families by lowering job eligibility requirements.
The amended guidelines now allow spouses of students participating in select higher education programs, notably those connected with New Zealand’s Green List occupations, to apply for work visas.
This is applicable to partners of students pursuing Level 7 or 8 credentials, which include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, and Bachelor’s Honours degrees.
The Green List indicates high-demand jobs across New Zealand. Partners of students enrolled in certain mentioned qualifications may now have an easier path to residency, either resulting in immediate residence or after two years of working in their qualifying jobs. This amendment demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to attracting qualified individuals and supporting overseas students’ families.
Students holding valid visas can support various visa applications for their partners and dependent children. Partners of students can now apply for a “Partner of a Student Work Visa” if the student is enrolled in an eligible Level 7 or 8 qualification as per the Green List.
This work visa has open conditions, which means it does not require a pre-existing job offer in New Zealand, giving visa holders more freedom to seek employment.
The new Green List now contains a wide range of Bachelor’s degrees and Bachelor’s Honours credentials that lead to professional registration, as opposed to only meeting New Zealand credentials Authority (NZQA) requirements. This change recognizes the significance of specific qualifications that directly link with professional registrations required for certain occupations.
Recall it was previously reported that New Zealand tightened work visa requirements, focusing on specific categories of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders.
According to an announcement on the Immigration New Zealand website, individuals with AEWVs in jobs classified at levels 4 and 5 by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) who do not have a pathway to residency can no longer sponsor work, visitor, or student visa applications for their partners and dependent children.
