What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa

The AEWV is a temporary work visa linked to an approved employer, job and, where specified, location. It supports employers recruiting overseas workers for eligible positions. Your permission to work is governed by the conditions recorded on your visa. [1]

An AEWV is not a jobseeker visa or an automatic grant of residence. Some jobs can help you qualify for a separate resident visa, but the occupation, pay, experience and personal requirements of that residence category must also be met. [23-25]

This guide focuses on the regular AEWV. Separate seasonal options are explained below.

How the AEWV process works

There are three connected stages. An employer's approval does not replace the worker's visa application. [2]

Accreditation alone does not mean that every vacancy with the business has an approved job check. Confirm the approval for your specific offer before preparing an application.

Who can apply for an AEWV

A genuine offer of eligible employment

You need an offer of at least 30 hours of work each week from an accredited employer, with a valid job check for the position. The offer, employment agreement and job description should be consistent about your duties, location, hours, pay and required skills. The employment must comply with New Zealand law. [4]

Relevant skills and experience

The usual minimum skills requirement is either at least two years of relevant work experience or a relevant qualification at New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework level 4 or above. Certain exceptions apply, including specified Green List and highly paid roles. [3]

Your experience or qualification should relate to the work offered. A bachelor's degree or higher can satisfy the general qualification relevance requirement even when it is in a different field. However, you must still meet the employer's requirements and any occupational registration rules. A degree alone does not establish that you can perform a regulated or specialist job. [3]

Relevant experience must be supported by evidence. Prepare employer references with duties, dates and hours, together with documents such as payslips or tax records. A CV is useful for recruitment, but it does not establish the required experience on its own. Part-time experience can be assessed on a full-time equivalent basis. [4]

Overseas qualifications and professional registration

If you rely on an overseas qualification below bachelor's degree level to meet the minimum qualification requirement, you generally need an International Qualification Assessment from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Plan for assessment time and costs. [4]

Some occupations require New Zealand registration or an appropriate registration body's confirmation. Check this separately from qualification recognition and the employer's recruitment requirements. [31]

Personal requirements

You must meet the applicable health, character and genuine intention requirements. Previous visa history, criminal convictions and relevant medical circumstances must be disclosed accurately. The documents required depend on your individual circumstances and intended stay. [4]

Why your occupation classification matters

INZ uses the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, known as ANZSCO, and selected occupations from New Zealand's National Occupation List, known as NOL, for AEWV applications. An additional 47 NOL occupations became available for AEWV use on 9 March 2026. [5]

Your role's classification can affect English requirements, the maximum period of stay and family visa options. It should reflect the actual duties and responsibility of the position. A familiar job title is not enough to establish the correct classification.

The NOL occupations recognised for AEWV purposes do not automatically apply to every residence category. Check the classification and occupation requirements for each visa separately. [5]

Salary and employment requirements

The general AEWV median wage requirement was removed on 10 March 2025. Employers must still pay the lawful minimum wage and the market rate for equivalent work in New Zealand. Existing visa conditions and employment agreements must also be honoured. [6]

From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is NZD 23.95 an hour before tax. This is a legal minimum, not a standard salary for AEWV jobs. A role's market rate may be considerably higher. [7]

Pay thresholds can still matter for family visas, residence pathways and particular AEWV exceptions. Earning enough for an AEWV does not necessarily mean earning enough to support a partner's work visa or qualify for residence. [8]

Before accepting an offer, understand the guaranteed hours, gross pay, payment frequency, work location and any proposed deductions. Compare expected take-home income with housing, transport and family living costs.

English language requirements

Since 1 June 2026, the regular AEWV English requirement applies to jobs at ANZSCO or recognised NOL skill levels 3, 4 and 5. Skill levels 1 and 2 do not normally require evidence of English for the AEWV itself. An employer or professional registration body may set its own language requirements. [9]

Applicants who need to demonstrate English can use an accepted test or qualifying alternative evidence.

Tests must be taken in person at an approved test centre. Results must be no more than two years old when you apply. At-home tests are not accepted. These are AEWV thresholds; residence and professional registration requirements may be higher. [10]

Alternative evidence can include specified combinations of citizenship and work or study history, or qualifying degrees completed in designated English-speaking countries. Studying in English in any country is not automatically sufficient. Check the exact INZ criteria before relying on an alternative to a test. [10]

There are exemptions for applicants previously assessed as meeting the AEWV English standard. A transitional exemption also applies to a holder whose AEWV expires on or before 1 December 2026, who applies before that expiry for a subsequent AEWV in a skill-level 3 occupation. The English requirement does not apply to Job Change applications or the two seasonal AEWV pathways. [9, 11]

How long you can stay

Your visa duration depends on the role and your circumstances. The maximum continuous stay is the total permitted period across relevant AEWVs, not a fresh allowance with each employer. [12]

A shorter employment agreement can result in a shorter visa. Some roles qualify for a longer maximum under Green List, pay or specified sector rules. The visa grant and your previous AEWV history determine the time available to you. [12]

If you have time remaining within your maximum stay, you may be able to apply for another AEWV. This requires a new application and satisfaction of the applicable rules; an extension is not automatic. A new employer job check or application link may be needed. [13]

After reaching the maximum continuous stay, you normally need to spend 12 consecutive months outside New Zealand before returning on another regular AEWV. Moving to another eligible visa category is a separate question. Review longer-term options well before your current visa expires. [12]

Seasonal work visa options

New Zealand also offers two seasonal pathways within the AEWV framework. These use specific occupation lists and their own experience and stay requirements.

• Global Workforce Seasonal Visa: Valid for up to three years, with work for up to nine months each year. At least three months must be spent outside New Zealand in each 12-month period. Applicants generally need three seasons of relevant experience in the preceding six years. [14]
• Peak Seasonal Visa: Allows a stay of up to seven months for approved seasonal work. Applicants generally need one season of relevant experience in the preceding three years. After a seven-month stay, at least four months outside New Zealand is required before another Peak Seasonal Visa can be granted. [15]

Both require an eligible offer from an accredited employer. They do not enable family members to obtain visas based on their relationship to the seasonal worker. The regular AEWV requirements elsewhere on this page should not be assumed to apply unchanged to these visas. [14, 15]

Documents to prepare

Organise documents around the requirement each one proves. Check that dates, names and employment details agree across your records.

The exact list depends on your role, country history and circumstances. INZ may request further evidence. [1, 4, 10, 31, 32, 35]

Police certificates

For temporary visa applications, applicants aged 17 or over generally need police certificates if their total stay in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, including previous visits. Certificates are normally required from countries of citizenship and countries where the applicant has lived for five or more years since turning 17. Fresh certificates generally must be less than six months old when submitted; previously supplied certificates may be reusable under INZ rules. [32, 37]

Where a certificate is required, obtain the completed certificate before lodging. Since 8 December 2025, INZ generally does not accept a receipt showing that a certificate has merely been requested. Special arrangements apply to Fiji, Hong Kong and Israel. Allow enough time for the issuing authority to process your request. [16]

Step by step application process

A recruitment offer, approved job check and submitted application are separate milestones. Only INZ can decide the visa application.

AEWV fees and other costs

As checked on 9 October 2026, INZ lists the regular AEWV application cost from NZD 1,540. Confirm the amount applicable to your circumstances through the official fee tool before paying. [1, 33]

Your budget may also need to cover English testing, medical examinations, police certificates, translations, qualification assessment, occupational registration, travel and initial accommodation. Separately agreed professional service charges should be clearly itemised.

Employers must pay their own accreditation, job check and recruitment costs. These must not be passed on to the worker. Be clear about the difference between your visa expenses and costs that belong to the employer. Never treat payment for a job offer as a legitimate visa requirement. [35, 36]

Ask for a written service agreement showing what is included, what is payable to third parties, the payment schedule and applicable cancellation or refund terms.

AEWV processing times

INZ publishes live processing estimates that change with application volumes and the cases being processed. On 9 October 2026, its published figure for AEWV applications across all roles was 80 percent completed within five weeks. This is an indicative snapshot, not a deadline or guarantee. [18]

Visa processing does not include time spent finding a job, completing recruitment, obtaining employer accreditation or a job check, or collecting your own documents. Cases involving additional verification may take longer. Check the current INZ processing page when planning your application.

Bringing your partner and children

Family members are not included in your AEWV application. Eligible partners and children make separate applications, and your ability to support them depends on your occupation, pay, visa history and other rules. [19]

Partner visa options

Depending on eligibility, your partner may apply for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa or an appropriate visitor visa. A work visa is not automatic. For example, supporting a partner's work visa from an ANZSCO skill-level 1, 2 or 3 role normally requires pay of at least NZD 28 an hour under the current rules. Different criteria apply to skill-level 4 and 5 roles and certain existing visa holders. [20]

Partnership applications require evidence that you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship. A marriage certificate alone does not show the full history of your relationship. Useful evidence can include shared accommodation, joint finances and records of your life together. [20]

Children and schooling

An eligible dependent child may qualify for a student visa for primary or secondary school, or a visitor visa. Dependency, age, custody, your job and the applicable income requirements must be checked. A Dependent Child Student Visa generally applies to children aged 19 or younger. [21]

Family income requirements can continue during the child's stay. In qualifying cases, the incomes of two parents who both hold AEWVs can be combined. Confirm family eligibility before committing to school places, housing or travel. [22]

Working rights and changing jobs

Read your eVisa carefully. A regular AEWV does not provide open permission to work for any employer, take a second job or become self-employed. [1]

If you want to change employer, occupation or an approved work location, you may need a Job Change or a new visa. Obtain the required approval before starting work outside your current conditions. A Job Change does not extend the visa's expiry date. [28]

Migrant workers have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealand workers. Keep your employment agreement, payslips and records of hours worked. Report concerns such as withheld wages, demands to return salary or payments demanded for a job to the appropriate authorities. [17]

Your employer must also provide settlement information within one month of your starting work. This includes information about an IRD tax number, accommodation, transport and access to healthcare. Plan these arrangements alongside your visa and travel preparation. [36]

If your job ends, seek prompt advice about your visa conditions and options. Do not assume you can start with a different employer because your current visa has time remaining.

Can an AEWV lead to New Zealand residence

An AEWV may allow you to gain employment experience relevant to a resident visa. It does not guarantee that the job will qualify, or that residence will be granted after a fixed period.

These categories have separate age, English, health, character and employment criteria. The listed skilled residence routes generally require the principal applicant to be 55 or younger. [23-26]

The Skilled Migrant Category changed on 24 August 2026. Applicants should check the current pathway requirements, including occupation restrictions, work experience and wage thresholds, rather than relying on older summaries of the six-point route alone. [25, 34]

A resident visa and a Permanent Resident Visa are different stages. A later Permanent Resident Visa normally requires at least two consecutive years holding a resident visa, satisfaction of its conditions and evidence of commitment to New Zealand. Two years on an AEWV alone does not meet that resident-visa requirement. [27]

How Nexus Migration can support your preparation

Good preparation starts with knowing what you already have and what still needs to be arranged. Nexus Migration offers practical support for people exploring work opportunities in New Zealand, including:

• Organising a clear CV and preparing for employer interviews.
• Collating employment, qualification and identity records.
• Coordinating document preparation and translation arrangements.
• Sharing official information about the application stages and document requirements.
• Helping you plan practical relocation arrangements within the agreed service package.

Before engaging a service, ask who will provide any personalised immigration advice and what their professional authority is. New Zealand immigration advice must come from a licensed immigration adviser or a person legally exempt from licensing, including when advice is provided outside New Zealand. You can check an adviser's details through the Immigration Advisers Authority. [29]

Our service scope and charges should be agreed in writing. Employer recruitment decisions and INZ visa decisions remain with the relevant decision-makers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply before finding a job

The regular AEWV requires an eligible job offer and the employer's approved job check. You can prepare your CV and supporting records before recruitment, but an AEWV application is not a way to enter New Zealand to search for work. [2, 35]

Can I apply while living in Dubai or elsewhere overseas

Yes, applications can be made from outside New Zealand. You still need the qualifying offer and supporting evidence. Living in the UAE does not remove requirements linked to your nationality, previous residence or employment history. [1, 32]

Do I need a university degree

Not necessarily. Relevant experience or a qualifying level 4 or higher qualification may satisfy the minimum skills requirement. Your employer or a registration body may require more for a particular occupation. [3]

Is IELTS compulsory for every applicant

No. The English requirement depends on the role and applicable exemptions. Where evidence is needed, IELTS is one option; other accepted tests and specified alternative evidence are available. [10, 11]

Does a five year visa mean permanent residence

No. A temporary work visa's duration does not grant residence. You must qualify and apply under an appropriate resident visa category. [23-27]

Can my spouse work and my children attend school

Possibly, through separately approved visas. Your occupation, pay and family circumstances affect eligibility. Confirm the partner's work permission and the child's study conditions before planning the move. [19-21]

Can I extend my AEWV without leaving New Zealand

You may be able to apply for another AEWV if you remain eligible and have time left within the maximum stay. Check current evidence and employer requirements before your existing visa expires. [13]

Can I switch employers once I arrive

Only after obtaining the appropriate approval where your visa restricts your employment. The new employer and role must meet the relevant requirements. Changing conditions does not add time to the visa. [28, 35]

Can I study while holding an AEWV

A regular AEWV permits study for up to three months in any 12-month period, or study required as part of your employment. Longer study may require changed conditions or a different visa. [1, 28]

How do I check whether an employer is accredited

Use INZ's accredited employer search with the business name or New Zealand Business Number. Some employers choose not to appear publicly, so absence from search results does not by itself establish that they are unaccredited. Confirm the employer's status and the job check separately. [30]

Should I pay an employer to secure a job offer

No. A demand to buy a job or return part of your wages is a serious concern. Employer accreditation, job check and employer recruitment costs must not be transferred to you. [17, 35]

Do I have to use an immigration adviser

You can apply yourself. If you obtain personalised immigration advice, check that the person is licensed or legally exempt. Using a representative does not guarantee employment, a faster decision or visa approval. [29]