On 2 December 2024, a law was introduced in New Zealand, giving migrants' spouses the right to choose where to work in most cases. According to New Zealand's Minister of Immigration, Erica Stanford, migrants' partners were rarely allowed to enter the labour market before this.
More emigration and less immigration
In 2024, approximately 30,000 New Zealanders emigrated to Australia, while only 17,300 people moved from Australia to New Zealand. This was the highest loss of citizens for New Zealand since 2012. According to Stats NZ, a statistics agency, the number of non Australian or New Zealand migrants who settled in 2024 on the island went down by 40% to 128,100. That same year, the number of people leaving for other countries (except Australia) went up by 32% to 74,000. According to an expert from ASB Bank, the poor economic development of the country after the coronavirus pandemic is at the source of the declining attractiveness to foreign migrants and the increasing number of people leaving the island. With this new policy, the government aimed at reversing this trend.
Companies struggle to find candidates
According to a survey, in October 2025, nine out of ten companies in New Zealand are still be struggling to find suitable candidates for vacant positions. On the other hand, two-thirds of foreign highly-skilled migrant entrepreneurs were considered to be good candidates for those positions.
More opportunities for migrants spouses
New Zealand uses a five-level classification system for foreign migrants: the ANZSCO skill levels. Level 1 being the highest and level 5 the lowest. Since 2 December 2024, spouses of employees with an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and skill levels 1-3 have been allowed to live in New Zealand and work in any sector. The same applies to partners of employees with an Essential Skills Work Visa. Partners of migrants at skill levels 4-5 can also profit of the new scheme and find a job in any sector, as long as their partner earns a certain hourly wage.
NZeTA for a short trip
If you are travelling to New Zealand for a holiday or business trip, you can use an NZeTA in most cases. British, Irish and EU citizens are eligible for this travel authorisation. Find out more about the visa validity and requirements. This website offers you the possibility to use an application form with clear explanations. You will need to complete a short application form, and your visa will be issued in 5 days on average. The NZeTA allows a maximum length of stay of 3 months. If you are a British traveller, you may stay in New Zealand for up to 6 months.