Families are warmly welcomed in New Zealand! There is exciting news for international workers in Aotearoa who possess an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV): they may now be able to bring their partner and dependent children with them, subject to the clarification of the rules based on their income level. This update has the potential to significantly alter the lives of individuals employed in construction, healthcare, agriculture, or IT.
Who Can Bring Their Family?
If you possess a valid Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV), you are eligible to sponsor visa applications for your family on the basis of your hourly wage or annual income. The alternatives consist of:
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- Dependent Child Student Visa
- Child of a Worker Visitor Visa.
Supporting Your Partner’s Visa — What You Need to Earn
If your hourly compensation is NZD $26.85 or greater, you are eligible to support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa. This amount is equivalent to 80% of the median wage in New Zealand. If your partner has a Partner of a Worker Work Visa that was issued prior to December 2, 2024, there may be work conditions imposed, particularly if:
- You receive an hourly wage that is less than NZD $59.32, or
- Your occupation is not included in the Green List, or
- The Green List job requirements are not met by you.
However, the following is the game-changing factor:
Your partner may seek to have work conditions removed, which would enable them to work for any employer in New Zealand, provided that your current wage is NZD $26.85/hour or higher. This represents a significant stride toward independence and flexibility.
Check Also: Immigration New Zealand Launches Secure Visa Application
Benefits of Bringing Family on an ESWV:
- Options for Partner Visas:
- Supporting a Partner of a Worker Work Visa for your partner is feasible provided that you earn a minimum of NZD $26.85 per hour, which is 80% of the median wage.
- Visas for Dependent Children:
- By earning a minimum of NZD $55,844 annually, you can provide support for:
- Visas for your offspring to visit.
- Student visas for your offspring.
- If your dependent child has been approved for a visa or has applied for a visa based on their relationship to you, and you have an ESWV or have applied for an ESWV that was later approved, and you earn a minimum of NZD $43,322.76 annually, you may be able to support a Dependent Child Student Visa or a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa for your child. This option is available on or before March 9, 2025.
- By earning a minimum of NZD $55,844 annually, you can provide support for:
- Work Rights for Partners:
- Conditions, such as the requirement to work for an accredited employer and satisfy compensation thresholds, may be imposed on partners who are granted a work visa. However, if you earn a minimum of NZD $26.85 per hour, your companion may seek to have these conditions lifted, which would enable them to work for any employer.
- Absence of Stand-Down Periods for Specific Positions:
- Your spouse may be exempt from stand-down periods if they are employed in a position that is covered by an uncapped sector agreement, which would allow for greater employment flexibility.
- Access to the public services of New Zealand:
- New Zealand’s public healthcare and education systems are accessible to family members with the appropriate credentials, which guarantees their well-being and opportunities for growth.
Supporting Visas for Your Children:
In order to transfer your offspring to New Zealand, you must accumulate the following:
| Annual Salary | What You Can Support? |
|---|---|
| NZD $55,844 or more | Child of a Worker Visitor Visa or Dependent Child Student Visa |
| NZD $43,322.76 (until 9 March 2025) | Child visas IF your child already applied/was approved AND you held or applied for an ESWV |
Therefore, your children’s education and care can now be coordinated with your professional endeavors in New Zealand.
Got a Raise Recently? Here’s What to Do
Have you ever been unable to meet the income requirement? New family visa options are now accessible to you if your salary has recently increased:
- Earn NZD $26.85/hour? Sponsor your partner’s unrestricted work visa
- Earn NZD $55,844/year? Sponsor the student or visitor visas of your offspring.
This not only benefits you, but also serves as a means to integrate your entire family into a new existence in New Zealand utilizing career advancement.
Why This Matters?
In a period when skilled workers are in high demand worldwide, New Zealand’s decision to facilitate family reunification through the ESWV scheme is a progressive immigration transition. It provides not only employment security, but also family stability and educational continuity, all within a nation that is renowned for its natural grandeur, healthcare system, and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Can I bring my partner to New Zealand on an ESWV?
Yes, you are eligible to sponsor a Partner of a Worker Work Visa for your partner if you earn a minimum of NZD $26.85 per hour (80% of the median wage).
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What if my income increases after obtaining the ESWV?
You may be eligible to support visas for your family members if your salary increases to the appropriate level.
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What evidence is required to support my family’s visa applications?
In order to establish that you satisfy the income thresholds, you must submit documents such as pay receipts, employment agreements, or tax records.
