What Is a Job Check and Why It’s Essential for NZ Accredited Employers?

August 7, 2025
Job Check, Job Check Application, Temporary Visa

In New Zealand’s immigration scene, employer accreditation starts the process. After accreditation, companies that want to hire migrant workers must complete a Job Check—a key approval stage in the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system.

But what does a Job Check involve? Why does it matter so much? And how can employers get it right from the start?

This blog will explain the Job Check process, its importance how to apply common mistakes to avoid, and how Ezy Immigration can help employers handle it with confidence.

What the Job Check Means

The Job Check is an official review by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). You need it after you get employer accreditation and before a foreign worker can ask for a work visa. It has a clear goal: to make sure your job offer meets NZ work standards and doesn’t pass over qualified New Zealanders.

The Job Check looks at:

If the job pays the market rate and meets the pay threshold.
Whether the job terms follow New Zealand employment laws.
If you need to do a labour market test (LMT) and, if so, if you’ve done it right.

If the Job Check gets the green light, you can go ahead and offer that job to a migrant. The migrant can then apply for an AEWV based on your job offer.

Why the Job Check Matters for Employers

For employers, the Job Check isn’t just paperwork—it’s essential to hire migrant workers . Here’s why:

Legal Compliance: Without an approved Job Check, you can’t offer a job to a migrant worker under the AEWV pathway.
Hiring Certainty: A Job Check that doesn’t pass slows down hiring and can hurt your image as a trustworthy employer.
Labour Market Integrity: INZ uses the Job Check to protect local workers. Your application might fail if New Zealanders can and want to do the job.

Visa Chain Reaction: A successful Job Check outcome determines the entire visa application for your chosen migrant.

Who Needs to Submit a Job Check?

Every employer with employer accreditation who wants to hire a migrant worker on an Accredited Employer Work Visa must submit a Job Check application.

The Job Check is a must if you’re bringing in offshore talent—no matter if you work in construction, healthcare, transport, hospitality, or tech.

What Does a Job Check Application Look At?

When you apply for a Job Check, INZ takes a look at:

Job Details: Job title responsibilities, work hours, workplace, and job length.
Pay and Conditions: Wages should match market rates.
Compliance with Employment Law: This covers work contracts, rest periods, time off, and pay deductions.
Labour Market Test (LMT): You might need to do this unless your job is on the Green List, pays twice the median wage, or falls under a sector exemption deal.

Advertising Evidence: For jobs that need a labour market test, bosses must show they tried to hire and couldn’t find qualified New Zealanders.

When Can You Skip a Labour Market Test?

You don’t need to do an LMT if:

Your job is on the Green List Straight to Residence or Work to Residence lists.
Your salary is double the NZ median wage.
Your job has an industry sector agreement exemption.

Not sure if your job doesn’t need an LMT? Check out our Green List Visa Guide.

Job Check Processing Time & Costs

Processing Time: 10 working days, but this can change based on demand or incomplete applications.
Fee: In 2025, the Job Check costs NZD $610 (check INZ for updates).

Common Mistakes in Job Check Applications

At Ezy Immigration, we’ve helped many accredited employers make their hiring easier. We’ve noticed these mistakes happen often:

Advertising jobs for too short a time (e.g. less than 14 days).
Job descriptions that don’t match the role being advertised.
Wage thresholds that are too low to meet AEWV rules.
Employment agreements that are missing or out of date.
Mistakes in labor market tests, like not interviewing qualified New Zealanders.

Each of these errors can cause holdups or even lead to rejection. Teaming up with experts helps make sure your application is spotless, follows the rules, and has a good chance of getting approved on the first try.

How Ezy Immigration Helps Employers with Job Checks

Ezy Immigration offers complete support for Job Check applications, including:

Looking over job ads and agreements
Checking salary levels and work standards
Getting LMT papers ready (if needed)
Talking with INZ to make sure rules are followed
Linking Job Check approval to AEWV steps

If you’re having trouble figuring out how to put your application together or aren’t sure about exceptions, our licensed immigration advisers can help you understand the details.

Job Check as Part of the AEWV Journey

To sum up here’s how the AEWV process works:

Become an Accredited Employer
Submit a Job Check for each role
Once approved, issue the job offer
Migrant applies for AEWV
Visa is issued, and the worker can begin

Each step builds on the previous one—if your Job Check doesn’t pass, your AEWV plans hit a roadblock. That’s why getting it right matters so much.

Check out our full Accredited Employer Work Visa Guide to see how all the parts fit together.

Nail the Job Check from the Beginning

The Job Check links accreditation to hiring skilled migrants. Your recruitment pipeline stops without it. This step matters too much to leave to chance for New Zealand employers dealing with talent shortages and workforce gaps.

Ezy Immigration stands with you offering seasoned immigration experts who manage every detail—from employer accreditation to visa submission. We make sure your Job Check follows current laws, steers clear of common errors, and speeds up your hiring.

Want to hire migrant workers? We’ll remove the worry from the Job Check process.

Reach out to Ezy Immigration today or give us a call now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same Job Check for more than one worker?

You can if the Job Check allows multiple positions for the same role, location, and conditions. If not, you’ll need to get a new Job Check.

How long does a Job Check stay valid?

Job Check approvals remain valid for 6 months from when they’re approved.

What happens if the migrant doesn't get their visa?

If the Job Check got the green light but the worker’s visa application fails, you can still use the Job Check for another qualified migrant (as long as it’s within the 6-month window and position limits).

Do I need to advertise for Green List roles?

No. Green List roles don’t require a labor market test or advertising.

What happens if my Job Check is declined?

INZ will explain why. You can submit a new application, but you might need to address issues like job fit, pay rates, or advertising concerns.

Can a Job Check be submitted before accreditation is granted?

No. Employer accreditation is necessary before you can submit a Job Check.

Accredited Employer Work Visa, AEWV Job Check, hiring migrant workers NZ, Job Check Application, Job Check NZ, NZ employer accreditation

Disclaimer: The content of this publication is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of publication, immigration laws, policies, and procedures are subject to change without prior notice. The application of immigration policy varies based on individual circumstances, and reliance on the general information contained herein may not be appropriate for your specific situation. No responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage that may arise from reliance on this information. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, we strongly recommend that you contact our office directly by phone or email, or submit an enquiry through the contact form available on our website.