Bringing Your Family to New Zealand in 2026: Navigating the New Visa Income Thresholds

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.

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