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Specific Purpose Work Visa — 2025 NOL transition for capped AEWV holders

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Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

The official 8 September 2025 Specific Purpose instructions recognise a NOL pathway for AEWV holders whose Maximum Continuous Stay ended on or before 30 November 2025, with applications due by 2 November 2025, and Appendix 20 lists the NOL occupations considered at skill levels 1 to 3 where there is a substantial match. The related partner-work-visa rule covers partners of AEWV or NOL-pathway Specific Purpose holders in ANZSCO/NOL skill levels 1 to 3 at at least NZD 26.85 per hour, with alternative higher-wage, Green List and Transport/Care routes. The material retrieved does not prove a separate complete transition rule for every claim described as a capped AEWV holder.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The retrieved official material verifies the NOL pathway and related partner-visa rules, but does not establish a complete worker-side transition rule uniquely for every capped AEWV holder, including a separate cap, qualifying grant date or alternative duration.
  • Appendix 20, introductory rule
    The NOL occupations listed below can be considered for the purpose of assessing the relevant NOL skill level under Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa instructions if an immigration officer is satisfied that the applicant’s occupation is a substantial match to the corresponding NOL occupation.
  • WS2.1.1(o), NOL transition row
    AEWV holders working in or progressing into a NOL skill level 1 or 3 occupation listed in Appendix 20, who have their Maximum Continuous Stay ending on or before 30 November 2025.
  • WS2.1.1(o), application deadline
    Applications must be made on or before 2 November 2025.
  • WF3.1.5, partner work visa rule
    A work visa may be granted to an applicant who is the partner of an Accredited Employer work visa (AEWV) holder or a Specific Purpose work visa holder under the NOL pathway
  • WF3.1.5, NOL skill/wage condition
    classified as NOL skill level 1, 2 or 3 and listed at Appendix 20 and paid at least $26.85 per hour.

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

The applicant must hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and already be doing work that closely matches the responsibilities of the higher skill level occupation (for example, an AEWV Forestry Worker can apply as a Forestry Supervisor only if skills and job responsibilities match). The official source does not state a separate job-offer or employer requirement.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not state a separate job-offer or employer-form requirement for this purpose.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

The applicant must work in, or progress to, 1 of the 30 new National Occupation List (NOL) occupations and have at least 3 years' relevant experience or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

See recorded sources

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

The holder can only work in the job, for the employer and in the location specified on the visa. Partner and dependent children cannot be included in the application but can apply for their own visas based on their relationship to the holder.

See recorded sources

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

Only 1 Specific Purpose Work Visa can be granted for this purpose; time on it counts towards the total time allowed on AEWVs, and if the maximum continuous stay is reached when it ends, the holder must leave New Zealand for at least 12 months before applying for another AEWV. The official source does not state the length of the visa or a longer-term residence direction.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not state the length of the visa for this purpose or any residence direction.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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