- Immigration New Zealand will implement the new National Occupation List (NOL) in November 2025.
- The NOL will replace the existing Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
- This update is designed to streamline the work visa application process. – It will enhance the skills assessment of applicants.
Immigration New Zealand is making a major update to how work visa applications are assessed, with the new National Occupation List (NOL) coming into effect in November 2025.
The new list will replace the long-standing Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), which has served as the frame of reference for visa processing for many years. Officials said the update aims to make visa applications simpler, improve skills assessment and better align immigration rules with the country’s current labor market needs.
Learn about NOLs
The National Occupational List divides jobs with similar responsibilities into categories and assigns each category a skill level from one to five. Level 1 includes highly skilled positions, while Level 5 includes positions requiring lower formal qualifications or experience.
The aim is to provide employers and applicants with clearer guidance and make the visa process more transparent by more accurately defining occupations and required skills.
Transition timetable
The transition to NOL will be gradual. Persons applying for a Special Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) must use an NOL for applications submitted on or before November 2, 2025.
Starting in November, applicants on an Approved Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or those who have completed an AEWV employment check will need to use an NOL code if their position is listed. Some visa categories, such as the skilled migration category, will continue to rely on ANZSCO codes until the full transition is complete.
temporary measures
To support this transition, Immigration New Zealand has introduced a temporary SPWV, which will be valid from 8 September to 2 November 2025. This short-term visa option is available to the following workers:
Currently holding AEWV
The maximum stay will be reached on November 30, 2025
Work in one of approximately 30 new occupations listed in the NOL
Under the scheme, eligible workers can extend their stay in New Zealand for a further two years.
Impact on workers and employers
The NOL is part of a wider effort to modernize New Zealand’s immigration system and ensure skilled workers are matched with roles that support economic growth. It also brings New Zealand’s policy closer to recent reforms in Australia, reflecting the region’s trend towards skills-based migration.
Employers need to review and update job titles, skill levels and hiring practices. For applicants, eligibility, visa duration and potential pathways to permanent residence may vary depending on assigned occupation and skill level.
Applicants are encouraged to use Statistics NZ’s Aria tool to verify occupation codes, skill levels and qualification requirements before submitting an application.
