Embarking on a career in New Zealand is an incredible opportunity, but for many, the journey feels incomplete without their family by their side. If you are a current holder of an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV), the dream of reuniting with your partner and children in the beautiful landscapes of Aotearoa is more achievable than ever. Recent clarifications from Immigration New Zealand have created clear, income-based pathways to bring your loved ones to join you. This guide is designed to walk you through the process with confidence, providing actionable steps and the encouragement you need to turn this dream into a reality.
Essential Skills Work Visa
| Key Requirement | Income Threshold | Visa Supported for Family |
| Supporting a Partner’s Work Visa | Earn at least NZD $26.85 per hour | Partner of a Worker Work Visa |
| Supporting Children’s Visas | Earn at least NZD $55,844 per year | Dependent Child Student/Visitor Visa |
Navigating any visa process can feel daunting, but the pathway for Essential Skills Work Visa family reunification is clearer than ever. By understanding and meeting the specific income thresholds and preparing your relationship evidence thoroughly, you can confidently take the next steps to bring your family to New Zealand. Your hard work and skills are valued here, and so is your family.
Your dream of weekend hikes with your children or sharing a quiet evening with your partner after a fulfilling workday in Aotearoa is within reach. Start by reviewing your eligibility, gathering your documents, and taking that first, exciting step toward a shared future.
Understanding the Opportunity: Bringing Your Family to Aotearoa
New Zealand values the immense contribution of its skilled migrant workforce. As part of this, there is a strong recognition that family well-being is paramount. While the Essential Skills Work Visa is now closed to new applicants, having been replaced by the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the rules for current ESWV holders to support their family’s visas are clear and well-defined.
This policy isn’t just about filling a job; it’s about building a life. It acknowledges that your peace of mind and happiness are directly linked to having your family with you, sharing in your journey and building a future together in a country celebrated for its quality of life.
The Golden Key: Meeting the Income Requirements
The most significant factor in your eligibility for Essential Skills Work Visa family reunification is your income. Immigration New Zealand has set specific thresholds that determine the type of visa you can support for your partner and children. Let’s break them down.
Supporting Your Partner: The Path to a Work Visa
Being able to support your partner to not just join you, but to also work, is a game-changer for many families. It allows for dual incomes, greater financial stability, and the chance for your partner to pursue their own career goals.
To support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, you must earn at least NZD $26.85 per hour. This figure is pegged at 80% of the median wage and is a critical benchmark.
- What this means for your partner: A work visa supported under this condition generally comes with open work rights, meaning they can work for any accredited employer in New Zealand.3 In my experience advising skilled migrants, this flexibility is one of the most powerful enablers for a family to successfully integrate and thrive in their new home.
- What if your partner already has a visa with conditions? If your partner received a visa with work conditions before these rules were clarified (perhaps because your wage was lower at the time), they can apply for a variation of conditions to have those restrictions removed once you meet the income threshold.
If you don’t meet this hourly rate, you may still be able to support a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa, allowing your partner to live with you in New Zealand, though they would not be able to work.
Welcoming Your Children: Securing Their Future in NZ
Providing your children with the opportunity to grow up and study in New Zealand is a priceless gift. The income threshold to support visas for your dependent children is based on your annual salary.
To support a Dependent Child Student Visa or a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa, you must earn at least NZD $55,844 per year.
- Dependent Child Student Visa: This allows your child to attend primary or secondary school in New Zealand as a domestic student, which means you do not have to pay international student tuition fees.
- Child of a Worker Visitor Visa: This visa allows your child to live with you in New Zealand. They may also be able to study for up to three months in any 12-month period.
It’s important to note that a child is generally considered ‘dependent’ if they are 19 years old or younger, single, and financially reliant on you.
What if My Pay Increased? Unlocking New Possibilities
Career progression is a key part of the migrant journey. So, what happens if you didn’t meet the income thresholds when you first got your visa, but a recent pay rise has changed things?
This is fantastic news, and Immigration New Zealand has a straightforward process for this. If your income has increased to meet or exceed the thresholds ($26.85/hour for a partner’s work visa or $55,844/year for children’s visas), you can now support their applications. This forward-thinking approach means your visa support capabilities can grow alongside your career.
Proving Your Connection: The Heart of Your Application
Beyond meeting the financial requirements, you must provide evidence that your relationship with your partner and children is genuine and stable. This is a standard and crucial part of the process to ensure the integrity of the family visa system.
For Your Partner
You need to demonstrate that you are living together in a genuine partnership. Think of it as telling the story of your relationship through official documents and personal records. Key evidence includes:
- Your marriage or civil union certificate.
- Proof that you have lived together, such as joint tenancy agreements, bank accounts, or utility bills in both your names.
- Photos together over the course of your relationship.
- Evidence of communication, like emails or messages, especially during any periods of separation.
- Birth certificates of any children you have together.
For Your Children
The primary evidence required for a dependent child visa New Zealand is proof of your parental relationship.
- The child’s original or certified copy of their birth certificate, which names you as a parent.
- Adoption papers if applicable.
- For children aged 18 or 19, you may need to provide additional evidence that they are financially dependent on you.
FAQs
Q1:What if I earn less than the income threshold to support a partner’s work visa?
If you earn below the NZD $26.85 per hour threshold, you can still support your partner for a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa. This allows them to live with you, but they will not be permitted to work.
Q2:How long will my family’s visas be valid for?
Typically, your partner’s and children’s visas will be granted for the same duration as your own Essential Skills Work Visa.5 They will expire on the same date.
Q3:Can my partner work for any employer in New Zealand?
If you meet the income requirement and your partner is granted a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, it usually comes with open work conditions. This means they can work for any accredited employer in any occupation anywhere in New Zealand.
Q4:Is the Essential Skills Work Visa still available for new applicants?
No, the ESWV is closed to new applications. These family support rules apply specifically to individuals who currently hold a valid Essential Skills Work Visa. New applicants must apply through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway, which has its own set of rules for family support.
