If you are a skilled migrant working in New Zealand, establishing your career is only half the journey. For many, the ultimate goal is bringing loved ones to join you.
However, with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) introducing significant policy updates in March 2026, the financial requirements to support your family are shifting. While the work experience you have already gained might be protected under previous wage rules, the rules for sponsoring family members are much stricter.
At Immigration Chambers, we are fielding daily questions from migrants worried about how the new $35.00 per hour median wage will affect their family reunification plans. Here is a straightforward guide to understanding the new 2026 income thresholds for supporting partners and dependent children.
The March 2026 Changes: What You Need to Know
On March 9, 2026, the official New Zealand immigration median wage increases from $33.56 to $35.00 per hour.
Even though the general median wage requirement for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) was removed in 2025, this new $35.00 benchmark still directly dictates the income you must earn to support family members for visas.
The Golden Rule for Family Visas
Unlike skilled work experience, which only requires you to meet the median wage that was in effect when you started your job, family support applications are assessed against the wage rates in effect at the time you submit their application. If you apply on or after March 9, 2026, you must meet the updated, higher thresholds.
Check this out: New NOL Roles for AEWV and Median Wage Hike Explained
Sponsoring a Partner: The New Hourly Rates
If you hold an AEWV and want to support your partner for a work or visitor visa, the hourly rate you must earn is increasing across the board.
Here are the new minimum hourly rates required to sponsor a partner, effective March 9, 2026:
- Skill Level 1-3 Roles: Increasing from $26.85 to $28.00 per hour.
- Green List Roles: Increasing from $33.56 to $35.00 per hour.
- Skill Level 4-5 Roles: Increasing from $50.34 to $52.50 per hour.
Real World Scenario: Sponsoring a Partner
Meet Mark:
Mark currently works in an ANZSCO Skill Level 2 role, earning $27.00 per hour. He plans to support his wife for a Partner Work Visa in April 2026.
The Reality Check:
Because Mark is applying after the median wage increases on March 9, he must earn at least $28.00 per hour to successfully sponsor his partner’s visa. Even though his own work visa was approved when the income threshold was lower, he must secure a pay raise to meet the new standard before he can submit her application.
Sponsoring Dependent Children: The Annual Income Requirement
To support a dependent child for a student or visitor visa, AEWV holders must demonstrate a minimum gross annual income. This threshold is explicitly linked to the median wage (specifically, 80% of the median wage calculated over a 40-hour work week).
Previously set at $55,844, this annual threshold automatically adjusts upward alongside the March 2026 median wage increase. To support a dependent child after March 9, 2026, your income must reflect the new $28.00 per hour minimum, which translates to an annual salary of approximately $58,240.
Real-World Scenario: Sponsoring a Dependent Child
Meet Maria:
Maria holds an AEWV and wants to bring her young son to New Zealand on a Dependent Child Student Visa in mid-2026.
The Reality Check:
Maria must prove she earns the updated minimum annual income to support a dependent child at the time she submits his application. She will need to provide evidence, such as her employment agreement and recent payslips, showing a gross annual income that meets the new 2026 benchmark. If her salary falls short of the newly adjusted threshold, her son’s visa application could be declined.
Secure Your Family’s Future in New Zealand
The rules governing family visas are unforgiving. A slight miscalculation in your hourly rate or annual salary can result in heartbreaking delays, preventing your partner or children from joining you in New Zealand.
Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. It is crucial to review your current employment agreement now, before the March 2026 changes take effect.
How Immigration Chambers Can Assist With Your Family Visa?
Immigration Chambers helps you understand changing income thresholds, assess your eligibility, and prepare accurate sponsorship applications. Our licensed advisers carefully review your salary, documents, and timing to minimise risks and avoid costly delays or refusals. From partner visas to dependent child applications, we provide complete end-to-end guidance so your family can join you in New Zealand with confidence.
Contact our experienced and Licensed Immigration Lawyer in Auckland today. We’ll assess your current salary against the upcoming 2026 thresholds and create a clear, reliable strategy to bring your family home sooner.
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FAQs
1. What income do I need to sponsor my partner in New Zealand?
You must meet the hourly wage linked to the current median wage at the time of application, not when your visa was granted.
2. Does the median wage affect family visas under AEWV?
Yes. Even though the Accredited Employer Work Visa removed general wage thresholds, family sponsorship still uses the official median wage benchmark.
3. How much income is required to support a dependent child?
You must earn 80% of the median wage annually (around $58,240 after March 2026).
4. Can my application be declined if I earn slightly less?
Yes. Even small shortfalls can lead to visa refusal, so meeting the exact threshold is essential.
5. When should I apply for my family’s visas?
Before the wage increase if possible, or once your salary clearly meets the new threshold.
6. Do I need professional help for family sponsorship?
While not mandatory, expert guidance reduces errors and improves approval chances, especially with changing policies.