AEWV Employer Accreditation
What Is AEWV Accreditation in New Zealand?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is one of New Zealand’s primary pathways for employers to hire migrant workers when there are genuine skill or labour shortages. To hire under this visa, an employer must first become accredited by Immigration New Zealand.
AEWV accreditation gives employers the legal authority to recruit and sponsor overseas workers for up to five years, and it’s a gateway for many migrants to live and work in New Zealand and in some cases eventually apply for residency.
Why Accreditation Matters
Here’s what accreditation enables:
Employers can offer jobs to overseas workers on AEWVs and certain seasonal visas.
Workers with an AEWV can work full-time (minimum 30 hours/week), study up to 3 months per year, and stay in NZ for up to 5 years depending on their job and skill level.
It helps ensure New Zealanders are given priority for jobs. Employers must show they genuinely tried to recruit locally before hiring overseas labour.
Accreditation also binds employers to legal and ethical responsibilities such as paying the agreed wages, supporting migrant settlement, and not charging recruitment fees to workers.
How Employers Get Accredited
The accreditation process is quite structured. Here’s how it works in simplified steps:
1. Decide the Type of Accreditation
There are three main types:
Standard accreditation — for employers who want to hire up to 5 migrants.
High-volume accreditation — for businesses hiring 6 or more migrants regularly.
Triangular accreditation — for employers who place migrants with third parties (no limit on number).
2. Apply Online
Employers log in to Immigration Online using RealMe® and complete the accreditation form. They’ll need key business details like:
NZ Business Number
Inland Revenue number
Evidence the business is operating and viable.
They must also declare and commit to meeting all legal obligations, non-compliance can lead to revocation.
3. Approval & Job Checks
Once accredited, employers can advertise roles and apply for job checks this lets them show there are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available for the job. They must often advertise publicly and for skill levels 4 & 5 engage with Work and Income NZ before offering the role to a migrant.
4. Renew & Upgrade
Accreditation is granted for 12-24 months depending on which type of accreditation you have applied for and if it’s your first time applying for this accreditation. If employers hiring needs change, they can upgrade their accreditation type at any time.
What Recent Data Shows
The Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme is now a major part of New Zealand’s labour immigration policy. As of late 2025, over 27,000 employers were accredited and AEWV visas have been granted over 173,000 times since the scheme began.
The government has also made several updates to improve fairness and clarity such as English language requirements, minimum skill and work experience thresholds, and stronger employer obligations to ensure New Zealanders are considered first.
What Accreditation Means for Migrant Workers
For someone considering migrating to NZ:
A job offer from an accredited employer is essential for an AEWV application.
Visa approval often depends on a valid job check token issued by Immigration NZ once the employer’s job check is approved.
Workers must meet minimum requirements such as relevant experience or qualifications, English skills for some roles, good health, and character.
Once in NZ on an AEWV, workers have rights under employment law including protections around pay and conditions.
However, some applicants do experience delays or frustrations in processing job checks or job tokens particularly in peak times so patience and clear communication with the employer can help.
Final Thoughts
AEWV accreditation sits at the heart of New Zealand’s employer-sponsored work visa system. For employers, it’s a commitment to fair recruitment and migrant support. For overseas workers, it’s often the first major step toward building a life and career here.
Whether you’re an employer weighing the accreditation process, a prospective migrant, or simply curious about NZ’s immigration framework, understanding AEWV accreditation sheds light on both opportunities and responsibilities in the Kiwi job market.
Get in Touch
Navigating AEWV accreditation, job checks, and ongoing compliance can be time-consuming and confusing especially with policy changes and tight timeframes.
I work with New Zealand employers to simplify the AEWV process from start to finish, whether you’re applying for accreditation for the first time, renewing an existing accreditation, or managing job checks and migrant hires.
I can help with:
AEWV employer accreditation applications and renewals
Job check preparation and submission
Reviewing job descriptions, pay rates, and compliance risks
Explaining employer obligations in plain English
I’m happy to talk you through your options and take the stress out of the process.
Contact Jo at Navigate Immigration Services today!
📧 Email: jo@navigateimmigration.co.nz
📞Phone: 0274772088
