New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

28 May

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) remains New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa for overseas workers. While the system has undergone several changes since it was introduced, the purpose remains the same - helping accredited New Zealand employers fill genuine labour shortages when suitable New Zealand workers are not available.

For employers and migrants alike, understanding how the AEWV works is essential. Immigration instructions continue to evolve, and many applicants are unsure about the requirements, visa duration, work rights, and future pathways.

What Is the Accredited Employer Work Visa?

The AEWV allows a migrant worker to work in New Zealand for an accredited employer in a full-time role.

To support an AEWV application, three key parts generally need to align:

The employer must hold valid accreditation;
The role must meet the relevant job requirements;
The applicant must meet visa requirements, including skills, health, and character.

The visa is employer-specific, meaning the visa holder can only work for the employer, occupation, and location listed on their visa unless a variation or new visa is granted.

Employer Accreditation

Before supporting an AEWV application, an employer must first become accredited with Immigration New Zealand.

Accreditation confirms that the business is genuine, financially viable, and meeting employment and immigration obligations.

There are different types of accreditations depending on how many migrants the employer intends to hire.

Employers must also:

Comply with New Zealand employment law;
Provide compliant employment agreements;
Meet settlement and support obligations for migrant workers;

Without valid accreditation, an employer cannot support an AEWV application.

Job Requirements

The offered role must meet immigration requirements before a visa can be approved.

This includes:

Genuine full-time employment;
Market rate pay;
Acceptable employment conditions;
Appropriate skill level classification;
Compliance with current immigration instructions.

The skill level of the role can affect:

Visa duration;
English language requirements;
Maximum continuous stay;
Family support eligibility;
Residence pathway options.

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that they have the qualification and/or experience necessary to undertake the role.

Depending on the occupation, this may include:

Relevant work experience;
Qualifications;
Occupational registration;
Licensing or certificates;
English language evidence for some lower-skilled roles.

Applicants must also meet:

Health Requirements

Applicants may need to complete a medical examination and chest x-ray.

In some situations, previous medical certificates may still be valid.

Character Requirements

Police certificates are commonly required for applicants who have spent significant time in certain countries.

Immigration New Zealand will assess whether any criminal history affects visa eligibility under immigration instructions.

Visa Length and Maximum Continuous Stay (MCS)

The duration of an AEWV depends on several factors, including the skill level of the role and current immigration settings.

Skill Level 1–3 roles can support visas of up to five years.

The MCS refers to the total amount of time a person can remain in New Zealand on AEWVs before they need to spend 12 months outside New Zealand.

This area has been subject to several policy changes, so both employers and migrants should seek current advice relevant to their situation.

Can AEWV Holders Support Family?

In some situations, AEWV holders may support visas for their partner and dependent children.

Eligibility depends on factors such as:

Income;
Skill level;
The visa holder’s occupation;
Current immigration policy.

Family members may be eligible for visitor, student, or work visas.

Residence Pathways

Some AEWV holders may later become eligible for residence.

Potential residence pathways can include:

Green List pathways;
Skilled residence categories;
Sector-specific pathways;
Work-to-residence options.

However, holding an AEWV does not automatically guarantee residence.

Residence eligibility depends on the individual’s occupation, pay rate, qualifications, work history, and immigration settings at the time of application.

Common Issues We See

Some of the most common AEWV issues include:

Employers misunderstanding accreditation obligations;
Incorrect occupation classifications;
Incomplete job check requirements;
Insufficient evidence of work experience;
Problems with employment agreements;
Delays caused by health or character documentation;
Visa holders working outside visa conditions.

Ensuring applications are prepared thoroughly from the beginning can help avoid unnecessary delays and complications.

Summary

The Accredited Employer Work Visa remains an important pathway for both New Zealand employers and migrant workers.

For employers, it provides access to skilled overseas labour where genuine shortages exist. For migrants, it can provide the opportunity to live and work in New Zealand while potentially building towards longer-term pathways.

As immigration policy continues to change, obtaining accurate advice and ensuring applications are well prepared is increasingly important.

If you are considering applying for an AEWV, or you are an employer looking to hire migrant workers, professional immigration advice can help ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.