NEW ZEALAND: Changes to Minimum Income Thresholds

January 13, 2020

Effective 24 February 2020, the minimum income thresholds for essential skills work visas and skilled migrant residence visas are set to increase.

Skill Level	Current Rate	From 24 February 2020
High-skilled employment in any occupation	NZD 37.50/hour	NZD 38.25/hour
Mid-skilled employment (ANZSCO level 1-3)	NZD 21.25/hour	NZD 21.68/hour
Mid-skilled employment (ANZSCO level 4-5, treated as exception)	NZD 25.00/hour	NZD 25.50/hour
Low-skilled employment (Any ANZSCO level)	At least NZD 21.25/hour	Less than NZD 21.68/hour

Skill level	Current rate	From 24 February 2020
Skilled employment at ANZSCO level 1-3 (or ANZSCO Level 4-5 and treated as exception)	NZD 25.00/hour	NZD 25.50/hour
Skilled employment at ANZSCO levels 4-5 (or where there is no matching ANZSCO code)	NZD 37.50/hour	NZD 38.25/hour
Threshold to earn bonus points for being highly paid	NZD 50.00/hour	NZD 51.00/hour

Employers are advised to review the salaries of their foreign employees holding essential skills work visas or skilled migrant residence visas.

Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.

For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to New Zealand, please contact us.

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