Accredited Employer Work Visa

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) New Zealand

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa. It is designed to help New Zealand businesses access skilled global talent when they cannot fill roles locally.

This visa has replaced previous categories, such as the Essential Skills Work Visa. It introduces a streamlined, employer-led process that reduces paperwork for repeat hires and offers clear pathways to residency for eligible migrants.

Whether you are a New Zealand employer looking to hire or an overseas professional seeking an AEWV visa, this guide covers everything you need to know about the accredited employer work visa requirements, costs, and application steps.

How the AEWV System Works: The 3-Step Process

Unlike older visa categories where the worker started the process, the AEWV is “employer-led.” The process works like a chain; you cannot proceed to the next link until the previous one is approved by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Step 1: Employer Accreditation

The New Zealand employer must apply to become an Accredited Employer. This verifies the business is viable, compliant with employment laws, and committed to settlement support.

• Standard Accreditation: For employers hiring up to 5 migrants.
• High-Volume Accreditation: For employers hiring 6 or more migrants.

Step 2: The Job Check

Once accredited, the employer submits a “Job Check” for the specific role they want to fill.

• INZ verifies the job pays the market rate.
• The employer proves they have advertised locally (unless the role is on the Green List or pays high wages) to ensure no New Zealanders are available.

Step 3: The Migrant Visa Application

Only after the Job Check is approved does the employer send the migrant a unique link (a Job Token). The migrant then uses this token to apply for the accredited employer work visa, proving their identity, health, character, and skills.

For Employers: Accreditation & Job Checks

Gaining Accredited Employer NZ status is a powerful recruitment tool. It signals to the global market that you are a trusted employer, allowing you to secure talent quickly.

Benefits of Becoming an Accredited Employer INZ

• Fast-Track Recruitment: Bypass the need to prove your business viability with every single hire.
• Attract Top Talent: Migrants can only be hired by accredited employers in New Zealand, unless they are on an Open Work Visa.
• Residence Pathways: Roles on the Green List or paying two times the median wage offer your staff a direct path to the Straight to Residence or Work to Residence visas.

AEWV Cost for Employers

• Accreditation Fee: ~NZD $740 (Standard) to $3,870 (High Volume/Triangular).
• Job Check Fee: ~NZD $610 per job check.

(Note: Fees are subject to change by INZ. Check with us for the latest figures.)

Need to get accredited? The documentation required—from financial evidence to HR policies—is extensive. We can manage your accredited employer application to ensure a first-time approval. [Contact Us Today]

For Migrant Workers: AEWV Requirements

If you have received a job offer, you must meet the accredited employer work visa requirements to be approved.

The Job Token

You cannot apply without an invitation. Your potential employer must email you a unique link (Job Token). If an employer asks you to apply without this link, or asks you to pay for their recruitment costs, it may be a scam.

Skills and Qualifications

You must prove you are qualified for the job. You typically need either:

• Relevant Experience: At least 2 years of work experience in the specific field (must be verifiable via payslips/tax records, not just a CV).
• Qualifications: A Level 4 or higher qualification on the NZQF. (Overseas degrees may require an International Qualification Assessment – IQA).
• Exemptions: You may be exempt from providing extra skill evidence if your role is on the Green List or pays at least twice the median wage.

English Language

• ANZSCO Level 1-3 (High Skill): Usually no English test required.
• ANZSCO Level 4-5 (Lower Skill): You must prove English proficiency (e.g., IELTS 5.0 or equivalent).

Health & Character

• Health: You may need a chest X-ray or medical exam depending on your country of origin and length of stay.
• Character: Police certificates are required if you are staying for 24 months or longer.
  • Important: As of Dec 8, 2025, you must provide the actual police certificate (not just a receipt) to apply.

Visa Conditions & Length of Stay

The length of your AEWV visa depends on your pay and the skill level of your job (classified by ANZSCO).

The “Stand-Down” Period

The Accredited Employer Work Visa has a “maximum continuous stay.” Once you reach this limit (e.g., 5 years), you must leave New Zealand for at least 12 consecutive months before you can apply for another AEWV. This creates a cycle of work and reset, unless you secure residence in the meantime.

Can I Bring My Family?

• Partners: You can support a partner for a work or visitor visa if you meet the income threshold or your role is on the Green List.
• Children: You can support dependent children for student or visitor visas.

Why Choose Us?

Navigating the accreditation employer work visa process is complex. A single error in the “Job Check” advertising or a migrant’s skill verification can lead to a declined visa and months of wasted time.

We bridge the gap. We assist Employers in achieving accreditation and managing Job Checks, and we guide Migrants through the AEWV requirements to secure their visa successfully.

Don’t risk a decline.

• Email: contact@nzimmigration.info
• Call: +64 9 379 0219

FAQ’s