Immigration experts are concerned a change to work rights for migrants' partners could put people off coming here.

Until now, a partner could get an open work visa.

But a change going ahead next month will only allow partners of green list workers to do that.

Couples will instead have to find accredited employers to sponsor applications for each of them, or have a partner who can visit but not work.

Sociology professor Paul Spoonley told Kate Hawkesby most migrants come with partners or families.

He's puzzled as to why the barrier is there and believes it'll be a disincentive.

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