Immigration New Zealand is set to overhaul the framework used to evaluate work visa applications, adopting a new National Occupation List (NOL) starting in November 2025.
The list will replace the long-standing Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), which has been used for years as the reference system for job-related visa processing.
Officials say the change is intended to simplify visa procedures, streamline skill assessment, and align the country’s immigration policies with current labor market demands.
The National Occupation List organizes jobs that share similar responsibilities into categories, each assigned a skill level from one to five. Level one represents the most highly skilled positions, while level five covers roles requiring lower formal qualifications or experience.
By providing clearer definitions of occupations and associated skill requirements, the NOL aims to make the application process more transparent for both employers and prospective workers.
The transition to the NOL will take place in phases. Applicants seeking a Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) must use the NOL for applications submitted on or before November 2, 2025.
From this November, anyone applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or completing a job check for an AEWV must use the NOL codes if their role appears on the list. Certain visa categories, including the Skilled Migrant Category, will continue to rely on ANZSCO codes until the transition is fully implemented.
