The Ultimate Guide to the Accredited Employer Work Visa NZ

1. What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)?

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a temporary work visa introduced by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to ensure that only compliant businesses can hire overseas workers. This visa is designed to fill genuine skill shortages in the local labor market while ensuring that migrant workers are treated fairly and in accordance with New Zealand employment standards .

Key Feature	Details
Visa Type	Temporary Work Visa
Length of Stay	Up to 5 years (depending on skill level and wage)
Cost	From NZD $1,540
Processing Time	80% processed within 6 weeks
Path to Residency	Yes (via Green List or Skilled Migrant Category)

To qualify for an AEWV, you must secure a full-time work offer (at least 30 hours per week) from an accredited employer. This system ensures that the employer has been vetted by the government before you can submit your visa application.

2. The Three-Step AEWV Application Process

The Accredited Employer Work Visa NZ requirements dictate a strict three-step gateway before a migrant can begin working in New Zealand . This system shifts much of the administrative burden onto the New Zealand employer before the worker ever applies.

Step 1: Employer Accreditation

Before hiring any migrant worker on an AEWV, a business must obtain employer accreditation. Immigration New Zealand checks that the business is financially viable, genuinely operating, and has no history of non-compliance with employment or immigration laws. Employers must also commit to completing activities such as providing settlement information to migrant workers and paying for all recruitment costs, as charging these to the worker is illegal under New Zealand law . Migrants can search the official accredited employer list to find approved companies .

Step 2: The Approved Job Check

Once accredited, the employer must apply for an approved job check for the specific role they wish to fill. The job check process ensures that the employer has advertised the job locally to check if any New Zealand citizens or residents are available to do the work. It also verifies that the proposed employment agreement and job description comply with local employment standards.

Step 3: The Migrant Visa Application

After the job check is approved, the employer will send the candidate a unique link to the online application form. The migrant then completes their individual visa application, submitting their personal credentials, qualifications, and employment history to prove they meet the work visa requirements.

3. Understanding the Job Offer and Employment Agreement

A genuine job offer is the foundation of any successful AEWV application. Immigration New Zealand has strict guidelines regarding what must be included in your contract to prevent exploitation and immigration scams.

Mandatory Employment Agreement Details

Your signed job offer and employment agreement must be comprehensive and include the following details:

 

• The New Zealand employer’s official name, physical address, and contact details.
• Your official job title and a detailed list of work responsibilities.
• The specific address of your place of work.
• Guaranteed pay and job conditions that comply with New Zealand employment law.
• A minimum of 30 hours of work per week (constituting a full-time work offer).

Unlawful Clauses and Job Offer Scams

Your employment agreement cannot contain trial periods, unlawful deductions, or unacceptable bonding clauses that force you to repay recruitment costs if you leave the company. It is a serious offense under New Zealand law for employers or agents to charge recruitment fees to workers .

Warning on Job Offer Scams:

“Job offer scams are common globally. Immigration New Zealand will decline any AEWV application if they suspect the applicant or their agent has offered or promised money to an employer in exchange for a job offer.”

4. Minimum Skill and Qualification Requirements

To secure an AEWV, you must prove that you possess the necessary job skills and relevant job experience to perform the role. The minimum skill requirements are strictly enforced by INZ.

General Skill Requirements

Unless your role is exempt or on the Green List, you must meet the accredited employer work visa NZ requirements by showing you have:

• At least 2 years of relevant job experience in the same industry, OR
• A qualification at Level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF qualification).

If your qualification was obtained outside of New Zealand, you must apply for an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to verify that it is comparable to a Level 4 qualification or higher.

Skill Classification and ANZSCO

Immigration New Zealand uses the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO skill level) system to classify jobs from Level 1 (most skilled) to Level 5 (least skilled). This system is gradually being replaced by the National Occupation List (NOL).

Skill Level	Qualification / Experience Equivalent	English Requirement
ANZSCO Levels 1-3	Bachelor’s Degree, Diploma, or 3+ years experience	None (until June 2026 for Level 3) [1] [5]
ANZSCO Levels 4-5	Certificate or 1-2 years experience	IELTS 4.0 or equivalent [1] [6]

5. English Language, Health, and Character Standards : 

In addition to professional skills, applicants must meet personal eligibility criteria to ensure they can successfully integrate into New Zealand society.

English Language Requirements

If your offered job falls under ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, you must meet the English language requirements. You can prove your proficiency by holding citizenship or qualifications from an English-speaking country, or by passing an approved English language test [6].

Approved Test	Minimum Score Required for AEWV
IELTS (General or Academic)	Overall score of 4.0 or more
TOEFL iBT	Overall score of 31 or more
PTE Academic	Overall score of 29 or more
B2 First	Overall score of 142 or more

Note: From June 1, 2026, minimum English language requirements will also be extended to ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations [6].

Health and Character Requirements

All applicants must meet health requirements and character requirements . This usually involves providing a chest X-ray and a general medical certificate to prove you have an acceptable standard of health . You must also provide police certificates from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years to demonstrate good character.

6. Visa Conditions, Length of Stay, and Family Support

Understanding your visa conditions is crucial to maintaining your lawful status while you work in New Zealand.

Maximum Continuous Stay and Visa Length

The length of stay on an AEWV depends on your wage and skill level . For most skilled roles, the visa length can be up to 5 years. However, for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles, the maximum continuous stay is typically capped at 3 years. Once you reach your maximum stay, you must spend a specified time outside New Zealand before you can apply for a further AEWV.

Changing Employers and Varying Conditions

Your AEWV is tied to your specific accredited employer. If you wish to change employer, job title, or work location, you must apply for a Job Change or apply to vary visa conditions before starting your new role. Working for an unauthorized employer is a breach of your visa conditions and can lead to deportation.

Supporting Your Family

Depending on your skill level and salary, you may be eligible to support your family’s relocation. You can support a partner visa (which may grant open work rights) and a dependent children visa (allowing them to attend school on a student visa or stay on a visitor visa).

7. Pathways to Residency and Special Visa Options

For many, the AEWV is a stepping stone to a permanent life in New Zealand. The government offers streamlined pathways for highly skilled workers.

Green List Roles and Resident Pathways

If your profession is on the New Zealand Green List, you have a direct resident visa pathway.

• Tier 1 Roles: Eligible for a “Straight to Residence” visa, allowing you to apply for residency immediately.
• Tier 2 Roles: Eligible for a “Work to Residence” pathway, allowing you to apply for residency after 2 years of working in the role on an AEWV.

These pathways are designed for jobs in demand, such as healthcare professionals, engineers, and ICT specialists.

Sector Agreements and Wage Exemptions

To support key industries, the government has established sector agreements and wage exemptions. These agreements allow employers in sectors like care workforce, tourism, and seafood processing to hire migrants at rates below the standard median wage.

Seasonal Work Visa Alternatives

The AEWV is not suitable for short-term agricultural work . If you are looking for seasonal employment, you must look into seasonal work visa NZ requirements. Options like the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa or the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) are specifically designed for planting, harvesting, and packing crops, and have different work visa requirements compared to the standard AEWV].