The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s main employer-sponsored work visa, introduced in July 2022 as part of a major overhaul of the immigration system. It replaced several previous work visa categories and streamlined the process by requiring employers to become accredited before they can hire migrant workers. For skilled workers who’ve received a job offer from a New Zealand employer, the AEWV is typically the first step in a journey toward permanent residence.
Not sure if the AEWV is right for you? Take our 2-minute New Zealand Visa Match quiz to see all NZ immigration routes you qualify for.
Overview
The AEWV has three stages: employer accreditation, job check, and the worker’s visa application. This three-step design puts more responsibility on employers to prove the job is genuine and that they’ve tried to hire locally first. The visa can be granted for up to 5 years for high-paid roles, or up to 2 years for roles closer to the median wage.
Eligibility Requirements
For the employer:
- Must hold Accredited Employer status from Immigration New Zealand. This requires demonstrating the business is genuine, financially viable, and compliant with employment law.
- Must complete a Job Check proving the role is genuine and that reasonable efforts were made to recruit New Zealanders first (unless the role is on a Green List or exempted).
- Must pay at least the median wage (currently NZD $31.61/hour). Roles below median wage have significant restrictions.
For the worker:
- Must have a job offer from an accredited employer with an approved Job Check.
- Must meet the skills or qualifications required for the role.
- Must meet health and character requirements.
- For roles at or above the median wage but below 2× median: may need to demonstrate relevant qualifications or experience.
- For roles at 2× median wage or above: simplified requirements, no labour market test needed.
Application Process
- Employer becomes accredited (if not already). Standard accreditation is valid for 12-24 months.
- Employer submits a Job Check for the specific role. This includes evidence of recruitment efforts (advertising the role on specified platforms for a minimum period).
- Worker submits AEWV application online with supporting documents, health certificate, and police clearance.
- Visa decision. Processing times vary from 2-10 weeks depending on complexity.
- Travel to New Zealand and start work.
Costs and Fees
- Employer accreditation: NZD $740 (standard) or NZD $1,220 (high-volume)
- Job Check: NZD $610 per role
- AEWV application fee: NZD $750
- Medical examination: NZD $400-$600
- Police clearance: NZD $50-$200 per country
- Immigration levy: NZD $410 (paid by employer for roles below 2× median)
Note: employers are required to pay the accreditation and Job Check costs. They cannot pass these costs on to workers.
Visa Duration
- Roles paying 2× median wage or above: Up to 5 years
- Roles paying at or above median wage but below 2×: Up to 3 years
- Roles below median wage (limited circumstances): Up to 2 years, with sector-specific caps
AEWV as a Pathway to Residence
The AEWV itself is a temporary visa, but it’s the most common stepping stone to permanent residence through:
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): If your salary and points qualify, you can apply for the SMC resident visa while on an AEWV.
- Green List: If your occupation is on the Green List, some roles qualify for direct residence after 2 years of work on an AEWV.
- Straight to Residence Green List: Some occupations allow direct residence applications from the AEWV without a 2-year wait.
Timeline
- Employer accreditation: 2-8 weeks
- Job Check: 2-6 weeks
- AEWV processing: 2-10 weeks
- Total from job offer to arrival: 2-6 months
Tips
- Choose your employer wisely. An already-accredited employer saves weeks of processing time. Check the employer accreditation status before accepting a job offer.
- Negotiate salary with residence in mind. A higher salary not only improves your SMC points but may allow you to skip certain AEWV requirements (roles at 2× median have simplified processing).
- Check if your role is Green List eligible. If it is, your path to residence is significantly faster and clearer.
- Gather documents early. Police certificates from every country you’ve lived in for 5+ years can take weeks. Start before you receive the job offer.
- Know your rights. Employers cannot charge you for accreditation or Job Check fees. You have full employment rights under NZ law from day one.