Employer Accreditation

Employer Accreditation — Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

New Zealand employers who wish to recruit migrant workers must hold employer accreditation under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. Accreditation is the first step before you can advertise a role, obtain a job check, and invite a migrant worker to apply for a visa.

Overview

Hiring a migrant worker under the AEWV involves five steps:

Step 1 — Obtain employer accreditation

Step 2 — Advertise the job and engage with Work and Income (where required)

Step 3 — Apply for a job check

Step 4 — Invite the migrant worker to apply for a visa

Step 5 — Meet your ongoing employer obligations

Step 1: Employer Accreditation

To apply for accreditation, you must hold a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) and a Business Industry Classification (BIC) code, be registered as an employer with Inland Revenue (IRD), be in a sound financial position, and have no recent history of regulatory non-compliance.

There are three types of accreditation:

• Standard accreditation— for businesses hiring up to 5 migrants at any one time.
• High-volume accreditation— for businesses hiring 6 or more migrants at any one time.
• Triangular employer accreditation— for businesses that place migrants with a controlling third party. There is no limit on the number of migrants you can hire under this type.

Initial accreditation is granted for 12 months. Subsequent renewals are for 24 months.

Step 2: Advertise the Job and Engage with Work and Income

Before applying for a job check, most employers must advertise the role to confirm that no suitable New Zealand citizen or resident is available. Advertisements must include the role description, pay, hours, and required skills and experience.

If the role is classified at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, you must also engage with Work and Income before applying for a job check.

Advertising is not required if the role is on the Green List or if you are hiring under the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV).

Once advertising closes, you must apply for the job check within 90 days.

Step 3: Job Check

A job check confirms that the role and pay meet INZ’s requirements. You can include multiple positions for the same role in a single job check application. Job checks are valid for six months or until your accreditation lapses, whichever occurs first.

Most roles must pay at or above the median wage. Certain roles are exempt — refer to INZ’s current exemption guidance for details.

Step 4: Invite the Migrant Worker to Apply

Once the job check is approved, you can offer the role to a migrant worker and invite them to apply for an AEWV. INZ will assess whether the worker meets the skills, experience, and other requirements for the role as advertised.

Step 5: Employer Obligations

As an accredited employer, you must provide workers with information about living and working in New Zealand, support them to settle, and continue to meet your employment and immigration obligations throughout your accreditation period. You must not pass any recruitment costs — including advertising, agency fees, accreditation fees, or job check fees — to the migrant worker.

All recruitment costs — including accreditation and job check fees — must be met by the employer. These costs must not be passed on to the migrant worker.

Assessment Process

Most applications are assessed against your declarations and automated checks against publicly available information held by MBIE. INZ will contact you if further information is required or if it is not satisfied that eligibility requirements are met.

Non-Compliance, Stand-Down Periods, and Bans

Employers and key personnel must comply with immigration and employment standards. Failure to do so may result in fines, stand-down periods, or permanent bans from holding accreditation. Refer to INZ’s current guidance on non-compliance for details.

This content is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. Immigration policies and fees are subject to change. Verify current requirements at immigration.govt.nz before acting on this information.