Immigration experts in Australia and NZ

Absolute News

When it comes to immigration, we are thought leaders and we love to share our expertise and knowledge. Check out our articles, opinion pieces, and recorded webinars. Keep informed with immigration changes as they happen.

Employment conditions clarified for open work visas

From 20 April 2026, Immigration New Zealand will introduce clearer employment conditions for open work visas. The changes confirm what work is permitted, distinguish between business activity and employment, and

Background on the NZeTA and key travel statistics

The NZeTA has been central to New Zealand’s border settings since 2019. With more than 7.2 million approvals and new Australia-based trial settings for Chinese and Pacific travellers, updated data
Opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes

Opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes

Police certificate requirements for AEWV and visitor visas remain strict. Applicants must provide a valid certificate at lodgement, as INZ will no longer accept receipts or delay processing.

From 18 August 2025, international student visa applications in New Zealand will transition to Immigration Online’s enhanced ADEPT system, simplifying processes and improving user experience.

From 18 August 2025, Immigration New Zealand will update the wage thresholds for skilled residence visas to align with the new median wage of $33.56 an hour, ensuring immigration policy reflects current job market conditions.

From 18 August 2025, ten additional trades occupations will be added to New Zealand’s Green List Work to Residence pathway, giving skilled tradespeople a faster and more certain route to residence.

New Zealand has introduced key updates to the Active Investor Plus Visa, including stricter limits on on-call investments and new flexibility for funding property development, creating clearer pathways for productive economic engagement.

From 3 November 2025, student visa holders in New Zealand can work up to 25 hours per week. Work rights will also extend to more short-term tertiary students, and a new visa will be required to change providers or study levels.

New AEWV wage thresholds will be introduced in August 2025. These changes will impact exemption criteria, maximum stay periods, and Green List application processes.

From 1 July 2025, changes to the Parent Resident Visa in New Zealand aim to simplify the process and improve chances for applicants in the ballot pool.

IELTS General Training tests will be held in Samoa on 23 August and Tonga on 29 August 2025. AEWV and residence visa applicants should take this opportunity as no permanent testing centres exist in these countries.

This guide explains the full AEWV hiring process in New Zealand and what accredited employers must do to remain compliant with immigration and employment standards.

From November 2025, Chinese tourists travelling from Australia with a valid visa will be able to enter New Zealand for up to 3 months using an NZeTA instead of a visitor visa, under a 12-month trial to boost tourism.

From 23 June 2025, qualifications from nine additional countries will be exempt from New Zealand’s International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for certain visas, including the Skilled Migrant Category.

With more New Zealanders moving abroad, employers are turning to skilled migrant workers to maintain business continuity and address critical labour shortages.

Featured migration story headline to go here

Ehenducienis am, quis dolorerovid quia que lam, ut opta sita non nonem velesed que sin consedi pidebis volo inulpar chilliquos autatiorequis velesed que sin consedi pidebis volo inulpar chilliquos autatiore, simagnita nonsequia.

AEWV English requirements expanded for skill level 3 roles

AEWV English requirements expanded for skill level 3 roles

Minimum English language requirements extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026.
Active Investor Plus philanthropy options expanded

Active Investor Plus philanthropy options expanded

Active Investor Plus Growth category applicants can now invest up to 20 per cent in approved philanthropic investments.
New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027 for most citizenship by grant applicants, replacing the current declaration process with a formal assessment.

New Zealand citizenship test to become mandatory from 2027

New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027 for most citizenship by grant applicants, replacing the current declaration process with a formal assessment.
The current query has no posts. Please make sure you have published items matching your query.

Featured migration story headline to go here

Ehenducienis am, quis dolorerovid quia que lam, ut opta sita non nonem velesed que sin consedi pidebis volo inulpar chilliquos autatiorequis velesed que sin consedi pidebis volo inulpar chilliquos autatiore, simagnita nonsequia.

AEWV English requirements expanded for skill level 3 roles

AEWV English requirements expanded for skill level 3 roles

Minimum English language requirements extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026.
Active Investor Plus philanthropy options expanded

Active Investor Plus philanthropy options expanded

Active Investor Plus Growth category applicants can now invest up to 20 per cent in approved philanthropic investments.
New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027 for most citizenship by grant applicants, replacing the current declaration process with a formal assessment.

New Zealand citizenship test to become mandatory from 2027

New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027 for most citizenship by grant applicants, replacing the current declaration process with a formal assessment.
Work and Income engagement rules clarified for employers

Work and Income engagement rules clarified for employers

Employers must engage with Work and Income in good faith for AEWV job checks at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5.
Immigration New Zealand has clarified Work to Residence visa wage rules, helping employers understand how pay settings and employment changes may affect skilled workers’ residence pathways.

Work to Residence visa wage rules clarified for employers

Immigration New Zealand has clarified Work to Residence visa wage rules, helping employers understand how pay settings and employment changes may affect skilled workers’ residence pathways.
New Zealand will move family visa applications for temporary visa holders to its enhanced Immigration Online system from 1 June 2026, improving processing and user experience.

New Zealand updates family visa applications to enhanced online system

New Zealand will move family visa applications for temporary visa holders to its enhanced Immigration Online system from 1 June 2026.

From 18 August 2025, international student visa applications in New Zealand will transition to Immigration Online’s enhanced ADEPT system, simplifying processes and improving user experience.

From 18 August 2025, Immigration New Zealand will update the wage thresholds for skilled residence visas to align with the new median wage of $33.56 an hour, ensuring immigration policy reflects current job market conditions.

From 18 August 2025, ten additional trades occupations will be added to New Zealand’s Green List Work to Residence pathway, giving skilled tradespeople a faster and more certain route to residence.

New Zealand has introduced key updates to the Active Investor Plus Visa, including stricter limits on on-call investments and new flexibility for funding property development, creating clearer pathways for productive economic engagement.

From 3 November 2025, student visa holders in New Zealand can work up to 25 hours per week. Work rights will also extend to more short-term tertiary students, and a new visa will be required to change providers or study levels.

New AEWV wage thresholds will be introduced in August 2025. These changes will impact exemption criteria, maximum stay periods, and Green List application processes.

From 1 July 2025, changes to the Parent Resident Visa in New Zealand aim to simplify the process and improve chances for applicants in the ballot pool.

IELTS General Training tests will be held in Samoa on 23 August and Tonga on 29 August 2025. AEWV and residence visa applicants should take this opportunity as no permanent testing centres exist in these countries.

This guide explains the full AEWV hiring process in New Zealand and what accredited employers must do to remain compliant with immigration and employment standards.

From November 2025, Chinese tourists travelling from Australia with a valid visa will be able to enter New Zealand for up to 3 months using an NZeTA instead of a visitor visa, under a 12-month trial to boost tourism.

From 23 June 2025, qualifications from nine additional countries will be exempt from New Zealand’s International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for certain visas, including the Skilled Migrant Category.

With more New Zealanders moving abroad, employers are turning to skilled migrant workers to maintain business continuity and address critical labour shortages.

Featured migration story headline to go here

Ehenducienis am, quis dolorerovid quia que lam, ut opta sita non nonem velesed que sin consedi pidebis volo inulpar chilliquos autatiorequis velesed que sin consedi pidebis volo inulpar chilliquos autatiore, simagnita nonsequia.

AEWV English requirements expanded for skill level 3 roles

AEWV English requirements expanded for skill level 3 roles

Minimum English language requirements extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026.
The current query has no posts. Please make sure you have published items matching your query.

Subscribe for the latest immigration updates

Subscribe to keep current with the latest immigration changes affecting your situation and industry. Follow us on our social media channels so you don’t miss an update.
download

About Sleek

Sleek.com is your one-stop shop for everything back office related, from setting up your company to handling day-to-day accounting, taxes, ASIC/ATO compliance, payroll and more – all on a single platform.

We take a human-first approach, using technology to tackle the boring stuff so you can focus on building your business. Our expert team is always here to give you personalised advice, with in-house tax experts who can handle your big questions.

With a presence in Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong, we’ve gained the trust of over 450,000+ modern businesses, and are a team of 500 strong devoted to your success.

Free initial consultation with Sleek experts:

Get your free initial consultation with Sleek experts. Mention ‘Absolute Immigration’ and enjoy a free initial consultation and subsequent discounting.