New Zealand•OceaniaAEWV — Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
At a Glance
7 weeks
NZD $1,540
5 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote work not allowed
Overview
Employer-sponsored work visa for skilled migrants with a full-time job offer from an INZ-accredited New Zealand employer; can lead to residence.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is Immigration New Zealand's primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa, launched on 4 July 2022 to replace six earlier work visa categories. It requires a full-time job offer (30+ hours/week) from an INZ-accredited employer with an approved Job Check.
Fees start at NZD $1,540 and 80% of applications are decided within 6 weeks (average 3.5 weeks). Maximum continuous stay is up to 5 years for ANZSCO skill level 1-3 roles, or 3 years for skill level 4-5. The job must pay at least the minimum hourly wage for the role; median-wage thresholds were removed in March 2025. The visa can lead to residence via Skilled Migrant or Work-to-Residence pathways.
This visa is ideal for skilled workers with a full-time job offer from an INZ-accredited New Zealand employer planning to use the role as a stepping stone to residence.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 5 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
New ZealandSMC — Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa
New ZealandRequirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Full-time job offer (30+ hours/week) from an INZ-accredited employer with an approved Job Check
Meet one of four AEWV skill pathways: Green List role, pay >= NZD $70/hr, 2+ years relevant experience, or NZQCF level 4+ qualification (bachelor's or higher accepted for any job)
Pay at least the minimum wage rate for the role (median-wage thresholds removed from 10 March 2025)
Occupational registration if required for the role in New Zealand
English language ability for ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 roles (unless exempt)
Good health and good character
Genuine reason for coming to New Zealand
KEY CRITERIA
Education
vocational or higher
Experience
2+ years
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Signed job offer from an INZ-accredited employer
Employment agreement and job description meeting NZ employment-law standards
Evidence of meeting one of the four AEWV skill pathways (qualifications, references, Green List role evidence, or pay rate)
English-language evidence (for ANZSCO 4-5 roles, unless exempt)
Police certificate(s) for good-character checks
Medical certificate / chest X-ray if requested
Evidence of occupational registration if your job requires it
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Maximum continuous stay of up to 5 years (ANZSCO 1-3) or 3 years (ANZSCO 4-5).
- Clear pathway to residence via Skilled Migrant Category or sector Work-to-Residence schemes.
- Application fee from NZD $1,540 with 80% of decisions inside 6 weeks (average 3.5 weeks).
- Four flexible skill pathways: Green List role, NZD $70/hr+ pay, 2+ years experience, or NZQCF level 4+ qualification.
- Partners and dependent children can join on linked visas (subject to wage threshold for partner work rights).
- Median-wage threshold removed in March 2025 — wage floor is the role's minimum rate, broadening qualification.
- Employer accreditation regime gives applicants stronger protection against exploitation.
Worth Knowing
- Requires a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer; cannot self-apply without an employer-issued link.
- Visa is tied to the sponsoring employer, job, and location; changes require a Job Change or new visa.
- ANZSCO skill level 4-5 roles need English-language evidence and are capped at a 3-year continuous stay.
- Partner work rights only unlock when AEWV holder is paid at or above NZD $26.85/hr (annually updated).
- Maximum continuous stay triggers a mandatory stand-down period offshore before another AEWV can be granted.
- No AEWV without a full-time (30+ hr/week) job offer from a currently INZ-accredited employer.
- Must meet one of four skill pathways: Green List, NZD $70/hr pay, 2+ years experience, or NZQCF level 4+.
Application Process
Receive a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer who has an approved Job Check for the role.
Receive the unique online application link from your employer (AEWV cannot be started without it).
Submit the online application via the Immigration NZ portal, attaching your signed job offer, employment agreement, and job description.
Provide evidence your profile appears to address the AEWV skill requirements (qualifications, references for 2+ years experience, Green List proof, or pay rate evidence).
Provide English-language evidence if your role is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 and you are not exempt.
Complete health and character requirements
medical certificate and police certificate(s) if requested.
Pay the NZD $1,540 application fee and immigration levy (no IVL is charged on an AEWV).
Await the decision; 80% of AEWV applications are completed within 6 weeks (average 3.5 weeks).
Application Forms
Go to application portal| Online AEWV application (via employer-provided link) | Fill online |
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