Accredited Employer Work Visa （AEWV ）- Learn More
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a new type of temporary work visa that has been introduced in New Zealand on 4 July 2022. This innovative visa framework, which has taken over from the conventional Essential Skills Work Visa, constitutes a fundamental shift in the landscape of temporary work visas.
Under AEWV scheme, all employers wishing to employ migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) must first be accredited by Immigration New Zealand.
Requirements of An Accredited Employer Work Visa
Some of requirements include:
- You must have a job offer from a New Zealand accredited employer
- Your employer must offer you at least 30 of hours of work per week. They must also pay you the market rate (note: from 10 March 2025, employers are no longer required to pay the median wage under the AEWV scheme)
- You must meet the minimum skill requirements set by INZ (currently 2 years), and also have the skills and experience your employer has specified
- In some cases, you must meet the English language requirement
- You must meet good health and character requirement
3 steps to hiring a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV):
- Step 1 – Employer accreditation where the employer’s credentials are assessed
- Step 2 – Employers can only hire a migrant worker if the job check has been passed. The job check will confirm the job pays the market rate, the terms and conditions comply with New Zealand employment laws, and the employer has done advertising if required.
- Step 3 – In this last step, the migrant must show that they meet all visa requirements, including having the skills and experience as required by the employer in the employer’s job check application.
Summary of changes
The Government has made changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) effective from 10 March 2025. The key changes are,
Employers hiring migrant workers on an AEWV, and the Specific Purpose Work Visa, are no longer required to pay the median wage. Employers must now pay these workers the market rate for the role, and at least the New Zealand minimum wage
The minimum requirement for relevant work experience has been reduced from 3 years to 2 years
Some occupations classified as ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 will be treated as being at skill level 3 for AEWV purposes
The visa term for ANZSCO level 4 & 5 roles have been increased from 2 to 3 years
- The income threshold to support dependent children has been increased to $55,844 pa
AEWV applicants will now have interim work rights if they apply for an AEWV while holding any type of work visa or from a student visa (effective from 8 April 2025)
Access NZ team is here to help
Let us at Access NZ be your guiding light, ensuring your pathway is defined by genuine attempts and the successful completion of each requirement. From securing a job offer that aligns with immigration instructions to providing the correct documents for your application, we’re here to make your dream of working in New Zealand a reality.
If you require assistance, we highly recommend click on the “schedule now” link below.
Alternatively you can call us on +64 7 571 1171 or email to info@accessnz.com for help.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between the old “Essential Skills Work Visa” and the current “Accredited Employer Work Visa” in New Zealand?
The key difference lies in the accreditation process. The “Accredited Employer Work Visa” (AEWV), introduced on July 4, 2022, replaced the traditional “Essential Skills Work Visa.” Under AEWV, all employers must undergo a thorough accreditation process to hire migrant workers, ensuring compliance with labor laws.
2. What is the “Wage Threshold” for the “Accredited Employer Work Visa,” and how does it impact employee and employer?
Employers hiring migrant workers on an AEWV, and the Specific Purpose Work Visa, are no longer required to pay the median wage, from 10 March 2025. Employers must now pay these workers the market rate for the role, and at least the New Zealand minimum wage.
4. What is the application process and how long does it take?
The current processing time for AEWV could be from 2 weeks to around 2 months (it could be longer or shorter depending on circumstances). To apply for an AEWV, you would need to have a job offer from a New Zealand accredited employer. As soon as you have a job offer, you should start preparing documents and evidence for your application.
To reduce the visa processing time, we suggest having a “decision-ready” application at submission which includes all the required documents and complete information. Our team of experts can take away the stressing of navigating the complicated work visa rules from you and guide you through this process.
5. What are the common mistakes that people make in the AEWV application?
Here are some of the common issues and pitfalls of an AEWV application,
- Wrong ANZSCO code is used in AEWV obstructing future residence pathway
- Work experience or qualification gained overseas do not match what were specified in the job check or fail to meet INZ’s requirement
- Information or documents provided differs from what were provided at job check
- The claimed skill level has been downgraded by INZ, there are different advertising rules and visa durations depending on the skill level
- Insufficient documentations are provided for the application
We suggest engaging the services of an experience licensed immigration adviser or lawyer at the outset, disappointment can be avoided if the AEWV application is done correctly from the start.