New proposal also introduces changes to make the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme more efficient
An advocacy group in New Zealand is proposing a new visa scheme that will grant up to 300 "exceptional specialists" entry to the country without an upfront job offer.
The proposed visa scheme, called the "Catalyst Visa," aims to bring in specialised capabilities that are hard to build quickly in New Zealand, according to the advocacy group Growth NZ.
Qualified visa holders will have 12 months after arriving to start a business or become self-employed, work part-time across several employers or find a suitable role; otherwise, the visa lapses.
Visa holders may apply for residence 36 months after their first arrival, provided they have stayed in qualifying work.
"Removing the upfront job offer is a significant departure from INZ's (Immigration New Zealand's) usual work visa settings, but justified for a small cohort of exceptional specialists," Growth NZ's proposal read.
It added that allowing specialists to apply for roles once in New Zealand would reduce the risk for employers and give applicants the space to find the best match.
Growth NZ recommended four initial target profiles for the Catalyst Visa: business and governance leaders, senior operators and founders, technical and product leaders, and researchers whose original work has delivered a major breakthrough or earned widespread recognition.
According to the advocacy group, the scheme would show founders and exceptional specialists that the country welcomes their expertise and would provide them with flexible options.
Proposed AEWV changes
The proposed new visa is part of Growth NZ's Talent Attraction Strategy Discussion Brief, which also seeks changes to the country's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
In its brief, Growth NZ is proposing a simplified process for AEWV holders who are moving between accredited employers. It also wants to allow AEWV holders in Green List roles, or those meeting a high pay threshold, to have multiple part-time roles, with up to 20 hours of additional work a week.
Growth NZ is also proposing that employers should be allowed to batch AEWV applications together when hiring several people for the same type of work or major project.
These proposals seek to make the AEWV scheme less costly, help talent find their optimal place in New Zealand, and make processing faster and more efficient.
"These reforms are designed to complement, not replace, investment in educating and training New Zealanders," Growth NZ said on its website.
"The goal is to bring globally leading experience into local firms and ensure that knowledge is shared with the people working alongside it."
Brain drain concerns
Growth NZ unveiled its proposal ahead of the general election in November 2026 and urged every political party to support the reforms and begin delivery within 12 to 18 months.
"The core changes do not require new legislation and can be made through minister-certified immigration instructions under the Immigration Act 2009," the group said on its website.
The proposal comes amid fears that New Zealand could suffer from a brain drain, as local employees take their careers overseas in search of better opportunities and pay.
Provisional estimates from Stats NZ in July 2026 revealed a net migration loss of 28,500 people from New Zealand to Australia in the December 2025 year.
This was smaller than the loss of 31,100 in the December 2024 year, with Stats NZ attributing it to slightly more arrivals from Australia to New Zealand, while departures from New Zealand to Australia were similar in number.
