The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the most common pathway for skilled migrants to live and work in New Zealand. This visa allows overseas workers to work for a New Zealand employer that has been approved by Immigration New Zealand to hire migrant workers.

What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa?

The AEWV allows you to work in New Zealand if you have a genuine job offer from an accredited employer. Accredited employers are businesses that have been approved by Immigration New Zealand to hire overseas workers where suitable New Zealand workers are not available.

Before you can apply, your employer must complete a job check to show that the role is genuine, meets immigration requirements, and pays the appropriate market rate. You must also meet skill, health, and character requirements.

Key requirements for the AEWV

To be eligible for an AEWV, you must:

  • Have a genuine job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer

  • Meet the skills, experience, or qualification requirements for the role

  • Be paid at or above the required pay threshold or market rate

  • Work at least 30 hours per week

  • Meet health and character requirements

The visa is linked to your employer and the specific role offered. This means you cannot change employers without first applying for a variation of conditions or a new visa.

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How long can you stay?

The length of your AEWV depends on the skill level of your role. Higher-skilled roles may allow you to stay for up to five years, while lower-skilled roles are typically granted for up to three years. If you reach your maximum stay and have not secured residence, you may need to spend time outside New Zealand before applying again.

Can your family join you?

In many cases, AEWV holders can support visas for their partner and dependent children, particularly if they are working in higher-skilled roles and earning above the required income thresholds.

Does the AEWV lead to residence?

Some AEWV holders may be eligible for residence through pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category or Green List pathways. Your eligibility will depend on your occupation, salary, and individual circumstances.

The AEWV is an excellent option for migrants who have secured skilled employment in New Zealand and wish to build a long-term future here. However, ensuring your application is prepared correctly is essential to avoid delays or decline.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) allows overseas workers to work for a New Zealand employer that is accredited by Immigration New Zealand. The accredited employer must have completed a job check application before the overseas worker can submit the AEWV.
You can apply if you have a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer. You must also meet the minimum skill requirement for the visa and be paid at the required rate together with meeting health, and character requirements.
Yes. You must have a valid job offer from an accredited employer before applying for an AEWV. The job offer must be genuine and not as a result of payment.
Your role must meet the required pay threshold, which may be linked to the New Zealand market wage depending on the location, and type of job or another approved rate, depending on the occupation.
AEWVs are typically granted for up to three years for jobs with a level four or five Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code or up to five years for jobs with a level one, two or 3 ANZSCO code. Similarly, up to three years for jobs that are classified as level four or five National Occupations List (NOL) or up to five years for jobs that are classified as level one, two or three NOL. Some exceptions apply please contact us for more information.
To change employers, you will need to have an accepted employment offer with a new employer. The new employer must be accredited with Immigration NZ and have an approved job check for your role before you can apply for a Job Change (variation of conditions) to work in the new role.

CAUTION : Please do not work for your new employer until your job change application has been approved! Immigration NZ will decline applications from applicants who have started work for their new employer before the job change process is complete.
You may be able to bring your partner and children if you work in a role that is classified as ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 (including some AEWV roles treated at a higher skill level) or classified as NOL skill level 1, 2 or 3 and paid at least $26.85 per hour. If you do not work in these roles, you are unable to bring your partners and dependent children unless some exceptions apply. Contact us to find out more.

For you to support dependent children on visas you must be earning at least the minimum income threshold is NZ$55,844 gross per annum.
Some AEWV roles can lead to residence through pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category or Green List residence pathways, if eligibility criteria are met. Contact us to assess your residence eligibility under this criteria.
Roles that are classified as ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 (including some AEWV roles treated at a higher skill level) or classified as NOL skill level 1, 2 or 3 can allow for a maximum stay of up to 5 years. Roles that are classified as ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 or classified as NOL skill level 4 or 5 can allow for a maximum stay of up to 3 years.
Should you complete your maximum continuous stay but have yet to find a pathway to residence, you must leave New Zealand and spend 12 months outside of NZ before applying for another AEWV.
Yes. Applications may be declined if the employer, job, or applicant does not meet Immigration New Zealand requirements or if supporting documentation is incomplete or incorrect. Please contact us so we can review your application and provide you advice to ensure you have the best chance of success.

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