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.

exemptions

Short-term exemptions to AEWV skills requirements to address labour shortages

As of 08 September 2024, the New Zealand government introduced short-term exemptions to the AEWV skills requirements aimed at addressing labour shortages in specific roles and sectors.
work rights

Part-time work rights for migrant school leavers awaiting residence decisions

Migrant school leavers awaiting residence decisions can now work part-time under specific conditions, ensuring equal work rights across visa types.
rse scheme

Improvements to Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme

The New Zealand Government expands the RSE scheme with more workers, visa flexibility, and improved conditions, effective from September 2024.

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, and our special guest Paul Wheeler, Director & Aged Care Recruitment Specialist at Carejobz, hosted a webinar to provide insights about the opportunities for Qualified Aged Care & Healthcare workers in New Zealand

Following the NZ Government’s recent announcement of the one-off 2021 NZ Resident Visa, further details have been released for the pathway to residence for migrants to New Zealand. There are two application phases with different dates and also a number of criteria options.

The new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will be introduced on 4 July 2022. The AEWV is a new type of accreditation and employers will need to apply, even if they have been accredited under the previous system.

NZ Immigration Update

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, and Trinity Li, NZ Immigration Agent, hosted a webinar to provide further details on the NZ Government announcement regarding the new one-off ‘2021 NZ Resident Visa’.

2021 NZ Resident Visa

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, provides further details on the NZ Government announcement regarding the new one-off ‘2021 NZ Resident Visa’.

We welcome the news today that the Government has announced the ‘2021 Resident Visa’. This is a one-off visa, simplifying the pathway to residency for approximately 165,000 migrants who are currently in New Zealand.

For those in New Zealand, we would like to remind you that the following two temporary work visa categories will be closing on 31 October 2021: Work to Residence Accredited Employer and Work to Residence Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa.

During Covid restrictions, Immigration NZ has released a few updates in relation to immigration: Applying for a Variation of Conditions of a work visa is now online, Extension of Resident Visas set to expire before 10 Sept 2022, and Visa conditions flexibility benefits supermarket workers

During Covid restrictions, Immigration NZ has released a few updates including: which visas continue to be processed, ‘Essential Skills Work Visa’ recently introduced, is now available online and only online applications are currently being process

Due to strict border controls, NZ Immigration cannot legally grant visas to people outside NZ who are unlikely to meet the entry requirements and therefore applications from most people cannot be granted.

Due to strict border controls, NZ Immigration cannot legally grant visas to people outside NZ who are unlikely to meet the entry requirements and therefore applications from most people cannot be granted.

Extension to Working Holiday Visas and Supplementary Season Employment Visas

Featured migration story headline to go here

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Parent Resident Visa: Immigration NZ removes queue cap and clarifies process

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.

English language test dates confirmed for Samoa and Tonga in August 2025

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

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.

Ten new trades will be added to New Zealand’s Green List Work to Residence pathway from 18 August 2025, with updated wage thresholds also applying across skilled residence visa categories

AEWV changes include removing the median wage requirement, lowering experience criteria, updating obligations, and extending visas for lower-skilled workers.

The New Zealand median wage will increase from 28 February 2025, impacting AEWV holders supporting partners and Parent Category sponsorship applications.

From 1 April 2025, changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa will simplify investment categories, expand options, and reduce barriers for investors contributing to New Zealand's economy.

New Zealand’s AEWV reforms streamline visa processes, reduce wage thresholds, and expand interim visa work rights for 2025.

New Zealand’s AEWV reforms streamline visa processes, reduce wage thresholds, and expand interim visa work rights for 2025.

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.

Parent Resident Visa: Immigration NZ removes queue cap and clarifies process

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.

English language test dates confirmed for Samoa and Tonga in August 2025

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

How to hire migrant workers under the AEWV

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.

Our NZ Immigration Director, Arno Nothnagel, gave our viewers an overview of the NZ Skilled Residence Pathways

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, and our special guests Daryl Feast, Principal Consultant – Automotive Specialist, and Andy Bage, Recruitment Consultant for Musterrecruit hosted a webinar about the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the impact on employers in the automotive trades industry.

Our immigration experts Arno Nothnagel & Trinity Li provided an update for both employers & individuals regarding recent announcements including border opening and the Employer Nomination Scheme

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, and Trinity, our NZ Migration Strategist, hosted a webinar to provide further updates on New Zealand’s one-off ‘2021 NZ Resident Visa’.

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, and Trinity, our NZ Migration Strategist, hosted a webinar to provide further updates on New Zealand’s one-off ‘2021 NZ Resident Visa’.

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, and our special guest Paul Wheeler, Director & Aged Care Recruitment Specialist at Carejobz, hosted a webinar to provide insights about the opportunities for Qualified Aged Care & Healthcare workers in New Zealand

NZ Immigration Update

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, and Trinity Li, NZ Immigration Agent, hosted a webinar to provide further details on the NZ Government announcement regarding the new one-off ‘2021 NZ Resident Visa’.

2021 NZ Resident Visa

Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, provides further details on the NZ Government announcement regarding the new one-off ‘2021 NZ Resident Visa’.

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.

Parent Resident Visa: Immigration NZ removes queue cap and clarifies process

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.

English language test dates confirmed for Samoa and Tonga in August 2025

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

How to hire migrant workers under the AEWV

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.

New travel pathway for Chinese tourists to boost visitor numbers

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

More countries added to NZ qualification exemption list

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.

NZ Citizens Departing, Migrants Arriving

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

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.

Ten new trades will be added to New Zealand’s Green List Work to Residence pathway from 18 August 2025, with updated wage thresholds also applying across skilled residence visa categories

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s main temporary work visa, allowing migrants to work for accredited employers for up to 5 years. As of 2 June 2025, over 150,000 AEWV applications have been approved, with nearly 25,000 accredited employers supporting a dynamic and evolving scheme.

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for up to 5 years per visa, supporting family ties without a pathway to residence.

The Specific Purpose Work Visa has been updated to allow longer stays for sports professionals in New Zealand, with new durations based on the level of play.

Budget 2025 aims to grow the economy through private sector incentives, but reduced public support may challenge new migrants. Here is what employers and migrants need to know.

From 26 May 2025, New Zealand will no longer require certified translations for visitor visa applications, bringing its policy in line with Australia

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.

Parent Resident Visa: Immigration NZ removes queue cap and clarifies process

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.

Following the announcement of sector agreements being introduced, Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, provides us with a quick summary of what and who.

This week Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, recorded a further video update to the AEWV job check and the issues of incorrect job check applications.

Arno Nothnagel recorded a quick 4 minute video to give our NZ employers more information around the Job Check requirement as part of AEWV.

We welcome the news today that the Government has announced the ‘2021 Resident Visa’. This is a one-off visa, simplifying the pathway to residency for approximately 165,000 migrants who are currently in New Zealand.

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