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The Accredited Employer Work Visa is New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa for skilled migrants who have a job offer from an accredited employer.
Introduced and administered by Immigration New Zealand, the AEWV ensures that:
Only compliant employers can hire migrant workers
New Zealanders are prioritised for available jobs
Migrant exploitation is reduced
Genuine skill shortages are addressed
If you are planning to work in New Zealand in 2026, understanding the AEWV process is essential.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa replaced:
Essential Skills Work Visa
Essential Skills Work Visa (Approved in Principle)
Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Silver Fern Job Search Visa
Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa
The AEWV is now the standard employer-assisted temporary work visa in New Zealand.
The process involves three mandatory steps.
Before hiring a migrant worker, a New Zealand employer must obtain accreditation from Immigration New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand assesses whether the employer:
Is financially viable
Complies with employment and immigration law
Has genuine business operations
Meets HR and settlement support obligations
Without employer accreditation, an AEWV cannot be issued.
After accreditation, the employer must apply for a Job Check.
Immigration New Zealand verifies:
The job is genuine and full-time (minimum 30 hours per week)
Pay meets New Zealand minimum wage and market rate requirements
Employment agreement complies with NZ employment legislation
Labour Market Test requirements are met (if applicable)
The occupation aligns with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations
Once approved, the employer receives a Job Token for the migrant’s AEWV application.
The migrant submits the Accredited Employer Work Visa application online.
Immigration New Zealand will assess whether the applicant:
Has the required skills, qualifications or work experience
Meets health and character requirements
Is genuinely qualified for the offered role
Is applying for an approved Job Check
If approved, the AEWV is granted for a period determined by skill level, occupation and sector rules.
Important update:
The previous fixed median wage threshold has been removed.
Employers must now:
Pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage
Meet market rate requirements for the occupation
Comply with sector agreement conditions (if applicable)
Pay must reflect the skills, experience and industry standards for the role. Check the link to the INZ website for updated information.
In many cases, employers must demonstrate they made genuine efforts to recruit New Zealanders before hiring a migrant.
This may involve:
National job advertising
Providing recruitment evidence
Obtaining a Skills Match Report
A Labour Market Test may not be required where:
The role appears on the Green List
Sector agreement exemptions apply
Certain industries operate under sector agreements, which may include specific wage rates or maximum visa durations.
Key sectors include:
Construction and infrastructure
Care workforce
Seafood processing
Meat processing
Tourism and hospitality
Transport
Sector rules can affect AEWV duration and stand-down periods.
The duration of an Accredited Employer Work Visa depends on:
Occupation skill level
Pay rate
Sector agreement conditions
Immigration New Zealand policy settings
Higher-skilled roles may provide pathways to residence.
Yes. Many AEWV holders may later qualify for residence through:
Skilled Migrant Category
Green List pathways
Work to Residence streams
Eligibility depends on occupation, salary and policy criteria.
Fees may change. Generally, costs include:
Employer accreditation fee
Job Check fee
Migrant AEWV application fee
Always check current fees with Immigration New Zealand.
The AEWV system:
Protects migrant workers
Ensures employer compliance
Reduces immigration risk
Creates transparency in hiring
However, the system is documentation-heavy and highly regulated. Incorrect employment agreements, poor ANZSCO alignment, or weak Labour Market Test evidence can lead to delays or visa refusal.
Professional guidance significantly reduces risk.
No. Accreditation is only required when hiring a migrant under the AEWV.
Yes. Accreditation is only required for AEWV roles.
No. The fixed median wage threshold has been removed. Employers must meet minimum wage and market rate requirements.
Yes, depending on occupation, salary and eligibility under residence categories.
Yes — in many cases, an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holder can support a partner for a visa in New Zealand.
Under current policy administered by Immigration New Zealand, whether a partner can be supported — and what type of visa they may receive — depends primarily on:
The AEWV holder’s pay rate
The skill level of the role
Whether the role is on the Green List
Sector agreement conditions
Depending on eligibility, a partner may apply for:
A Partner of a Worker Work Visa (which may include open work rights), or
Generally, partners are more likely to qualify for an open work visa if the AEWV holder:
Is paid at or above the current New Zealand minimum wage and meets the average market rate for the role
Works in a higher-skilled occupation (for example, roles aligned with skilled classifications or the Green List)
If the income threshold is not met, the partner may still be eligible for a visitor visa but may not receive open work rights.
Yes. The couple must demonstrate they are:
In a genuine and stable relationship
Living together (or able to justify any periods of separation)
Able to provide supporting evidence such as joint financial documents, shared address evidence, and relationship history
Immigration New Zealand carefully assesses partnership evidence.
A partner’s visa is usually granted for the same duration as the AEWV holder’s visa, provided all requirements are met.
Sector agreement roles may affect eligibility for partner work rights.
Income thresholds and eligibility settings may change.
Each application is assessed individually.
For up-to-date rules, refer to Immigration New Zealand policy guidance.
Whether you are:
A New Zealand employer seeking accreditation
A migrant applying for an AEWV
A business completing a Job Check
A worker exploring residence pathways
Professional assistance ensures compliance and reduces processing risks.
