Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) allows skilled workers from overseas to work in New Zealand for an employer who is officially accredited by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Who Can Apply?
You can apply for an AEWV if:
- You have a full-time job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer
- Your job offer matches a role that has passed the Job Check
- You meet skills, experience, health, and character requirements
What’s Required in the Application?
To apply, you must submit:
- A signed job offer and employment agreement
- A valid Job Check number from your employer
- Evidence of your skills, qualifications, or work experience
- For some roles, an English language test (ANZSCO level 4–5 only)
Apply online through the official INZ website.
What the Job Offer Must Include
- Job title and full job description
- Employer’s contact details
- Pay rate, hours of work, location, and job duration
- Terms and conditions consistent with the approved Job Check
The offer must be genuine—INZ will decline applications if they suspect the job was offered in exchange for payment.
Skill & Qualification Requirements
You must show you are suitably qualified by either:
- Having 2+ years of relevant work experience, OR
- Holding a relevant NZQCF Level 4 or higher qualification
Some roles on the Green List or with twice the median wage may qualify automatically.
You may be exempt if:
- You’re a meat or seafood process worker under specific 2024/25 agreements
- You're renewing a visa in care, tourism, or hospitality under transitional conditions
English Language Requirements (For ANZSCO Level 4–5 Jobs)
You need to show you meet minimum English standards by:
- Passing an accepted English test (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.)
- OR having studied/worked for 5+ years in an English-speaking country
- OR holding a degree from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Canada, USA, or Ireland
English tests must be taken in person at a test centre.
Visa Duration
- Up to 5 years for higher-skilled roles (e.g., Green List, ANZSCO 1–3)
- Up to 3 years for most level 4–5 roles
Duration depends on the role and maximum continuous stay rules.
Maximum Stay: How Long Can I Stay in NZ?
- Most AEWV holders can stay up to 5 years, then must leave NZ for 12 months before applying again
- Lower-skilled workers (e.g., ANZSCO level 4–5) may be limited to 3 years
- Some roles may be exempt under special agreements
Time spent on a visitor/student visa does not count toward the 12-month reset period.
Bringing Family With You
You can support visas for:
- Your partner (work or visitor visa)
- Your dependent children (student or visitor visa)
To do this, you must meet the minimum income threshold (currently $55,844/year), and continue to meet it for the duration of your child’s visa.
Both parents’ incomes may be combined (max 40 hrs/week each) to meet the requirement.
Reusing a Job Check Number
You may reuse your previous Job Check number if:
- Your current AEWV was granted on or before 9 March 2025
- The job offer matches your current role, employer, pay, and location
You cannot reuse the Job Check if you’re in certain low-paid seasonal roles (e.g., ski guide, meat/seafood processor under $29.66/hr)
Job Offer Remuneration Changes
Your offered pay must usually match the amount approved in the Job Check—but:
- It can be lower if the Job Check was submitted on or before 9 March 2025 and still meets the market rate
- It can be higher if NZ minimum wage increased since the Job Check
Visa Conditions
Your AEWV will state:
- The specific job title
- The employer and location
- The minimum pay rate
- That you must be employed full-time
- Whether you can work under triangular employment (e.g., contracting through another agency)
You must provide evidence of pay if requested by INZ.
Ready to apply for your Accredited Employer Work Visa?
JD Immigration can help you gather documents, navigate Job Check rules, and secure your future in New Zealand.