INZ Update - Recognizing National Occupation List occupations in the Accredited Employer Work Visa

Effective 3 November 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will begin recognising 91 new occupations under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme.This update ensures that higher-skilled roles listed in the National Occupation List (NOL) are properly recognized within New Zealand’s immigration system.

What is the National Occupation List (NOL)?

The NOL is New Zealand’s new job classification system, replacing the long-standing Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) framework.It officially became the standard in November 2024 and was most recently updated on 1 July 2025.

Unlike ANZSCO, the NOL better reflects current labour market conditions and will be reviewed and updated annually to stay relevant.

Because the transition from ANZSCO to NOL is a major change, INZ is introducing it in stages and will continue to keep employers, migrants, and advisers informed as the rollout progresses.

What’s Changing from 3 November 2025?

From this date:

• Employers will be able to submit job checks for the newly recognized NOL occupations.

• AEWV holders in skill level 1–3 roles can stay longer in New Zealand and may be able to bring their families.

• Some AEWV holders currently in skill level 4–5 roles may also be able to move into one of the 91 new recognized roles.

To qualify, applicants must have either:

• At least 3 years of directly relevant work experience, or

• A recognized qualification.

If these criteria are met, they may be eligible to apply for a further AEWV to extend their stay in New Zealand.

All these newly recognized occupations will appear alongside existing ANZSCO codes in the enhanced Immigration Online system.

List of New Recognized Occupations

From 3 November 2025, the following 91 NOL occupations can be used for an AEWV application. Below are a few examples from each skill level:

Skill Level 1

• Horticulture Post-Harvest Leading Hand

• Fruit Production Leading Hand

• Indoor Crop Production Leading Hand

• Outdoor Crop Leading Hand

Skill Level 2

• Foley Artist

Skill Level 3

• Irrigation Technician

• Wind Turbine Technician

• Electric Vehicle Mechanic or Technician

• Adventure Tourism Operator

• Dementia Navigator

• Personal Trainer

• Rope Access Technician

• Solar Installer

• Vineyard Supervisor(and many others)

What Employers Need to Know

To hire a migrant worker for one of these newly recognized occupations:

1. Advertise the role and make genuine efforts to recruit a suitable New Zealander first.

2. If a suitable candidate cannot be found, ensure your business is accredited under the AEWV program.

3. Submit a new job check application that clearly matches the role’s duties, pay rate, and skill level with the appropriate NOL or ANZSCO occupation.

All standard AEWV settings for skill levels 1–3 continue to apply:

• Migrant workers can stay up to 5 years.

• They must meet wage thresholds.

• They may be eligible to support family visas.

Before lodging a job check, ensure your employer accreditation is valid and that the job description aligns with the selected NOL or ANZSCO occupation.

Final Thoughts

The recognition of these 91 new NOL occupations marks another important step in modernizing New Zealand’s immigration and employment systems. For employers, it opens opportunities to fill critical roles with skilled migrants. For visa holders, it provides new pathways to extend their stay and contribute to New Zealand’s workforce.