New Zealand’s immigration settings are undergoing major changes affecting Accredited Employer Work Visas, Job Checks, seasonal recruitment, and future Skilled Migrant Category residence pathways. In this comprehensive update, we explain what employers and migrant workers need to know—including the crucial risk for migrants working below the median wage, which may affect their ability to gain residence later. Learn how to stay compliant, retain your workforce, and plan strategically under the new 2025–2026 immigration rules.