Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Got a job offer from a New Zealand employer? The Accredited Employer Work Visa, or AEWV, is very likely the visa you need. It is New Zealand’s main work visa for skilled migrants, and it lets you live and work here for up to five years, with many roles opening a genuine path to residence afterwards.
This visa service page walks you through exactly how the AEWV works, who qualifies, what it costs, and how it can lead somewhere more permanent. If you would rather skip ahead, our licensed immigration advisers at Ezy Immigration can check your eligibility for free and handle the paperwork with you, step by step.
What Is the Accredited Employer Work Visa, and Who Is It For?
The AEWV was introduced in July 2022, replacing several older work visa categories with one streamlined system. It links three things together: an employer that Immigration New Zealand has accredited, a job that has passed a Job Check, and a migrant worker who meets the visa’s health, character and skill requirements.
In plain terms, you need a genuine, full-time job offer — at least 30 hours a week — from a New Zealand business that holds current accreditation. Your employer does the heavy lifting on their end by proving the role is real and pays a fair market rate. You then need to show you have the right experience, qualifications, or occupational registration for the job, along with a clean bill of health and character.
This visa suits a wide range of people: registered nurses and aged care workers, chefs and hospitality staff, electricians and other tradespeople, engineers, IT specialists, and many more. If your occupation sits on the Green List, you may even be eligible for a faster route to residence.
The Real Challenges Migrants Face — and How We Solve Them
Most people who come to us are not stuck on a big, obvious problem. They are stuck on several small ones that add up. Perhaps your employer says they are “accredited,” but you are not sure how to confirm that officially. Perhaps you have the right work experience, but you are unsure how to prove it in a way Immigration New Zealand will accept. Or perhaps English language testing, police certificates, or medical checks feel like one more hurdle you did not expect.
These small gaps are where most AEWV applications lose time, or get declined altogether. Our team checks your employer’s accreditation status, reviews your job offer and employment agreement line by line, and builds your evidence file before you submit anything. That way, the application Immigration New Zealand sees is complete the first time, not a work in progress they need to chase you about.
“Most AEWV delays are not caused by tough cases — they are caused by small, avoidable gaps in the paperwork. Catching those early is where a licensed adviser earns their keep.” — Eddie Dhiman, Director and Licensed Immigration Adviser, Ezy Immigration
Why the Accredited Employer Work Visa Works in Your Favour
The AEWV genuinely opens doors. Because it is tied to a real job with a vetted employer, it tends to process more predictably than older, more open-ended work categories. You can stay in New Zealand for up to five years for most skilled roles, or three years for roles at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, and you are free to study for up to three months a year alongside your job.
Depending on your role and pay, you may also be able to bring your partner and children with you, with your partner potentially eligible for their own work visa. Perhaps most importantly, time spent working in New Zealand on an AEWV can count towards residence pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category or, for Green List roles, the Straight to Residence Visa. In other words, this is rarely just a temporary stopover — for many people, it is the first real step towards settling in New Zealand for good.
What's Included in Our AEWV Application Service
We support you through every stage that Immigration New Zealand expects to see, not just the final form. That starts with confirming your employer holds valid, current accreditation and that your specific role has an approved Job Check attached to it — you can read more about how employer accreditation and the accredited employer list actually work in our detailed guides.
From there, we review your employment agreement to make sure it meets New Zealand employment law, gather and check your evidence of qualifications or work experience, and confirm whether you need English language testing, occupational registration, a police certificate or a medical examination. Immigration New Zealand’s current Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application fee starts from around NZD $1,540, and we give you a clear, honest cost breakdown upfront, including any medical, police, or translation costs, so there are no surprises later.
Accredited Employer Work Visa Compared with Other New Zealand Work Visa Options
| Visa | Best Suited To | Employer Requirement | Typical Length | Path to Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) |
Skilled migrants with a genuine, ongoing full-time job offer |
Employer must be accredited with an approved Job Check |
Up to 5 years (3 years for skill level 4–5 roles) |
Yes, via Green List or Skilled Migrant Category |
|
Specific Purpose Work Visa |
Short-term, project-based or one-off work |
No accreditation required, but purpose must be clearly defined |
Tied to the length of the specific task or project |
Generally no |
|
Working Holiday Visa |
Young people (usually 18–35) wanting short-term work and travel |
None — open work rights with most employers |
Up to 12–23 months, depending on nationality |
No |
If you are unsure which category actually fits your situation, our free eligibility assessment will tell you within a few working days, at no cost.
How We Take You Through the AEWV Process, Step by Step
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) runs as a three-stage chain, and each stage depends on the one before it. First, your employer applies for and receives accreditation from Immigration New Zealand — this confirms the business is genuine, financially sound and compliant with employment law. Second, the employer submits a Job Check for your specific role, proving it is a real vacancy that pays a fair market rate and, where relevant, that no suitable New Zealand worker was available. Only once the Job Check is approved can you, the migrant, submit your own visa application, backed by your job offer, employment agreement, evidence of skills or experience, and any required health or character documents.
Immigration New Zealand currently processes around 80 percent of AEWV applications within about seven and a half weeks, though this can vary depending on how complete your evidence is and how busy the department is at the time. We prepare your file so it meets every requirement before it is lodged, which is one of the simplest ways to avoid the delays that come from Immigration New Zealand having to request more information.
Ready to Secure Your Accredited Employer Work Visa?
If you already have a job offer, do not let a paperwork gap put it at risk. Our licensed immigration advisers, registered with the Immigration Advisers Authority and, for our Australian services, with MARA, have helped migrants across healthcare, hospitality, technology, education and the trades secure their AEWV with confidence. You can read what past clients say about working with us on our testimonials page, or find out more about our team on our about us page.
Getting started costs you nothing. Book a free preliminary assessment and we will tell you honestly whether the AEWV is your best option, what it is likely to cost, and what to prepare — before you spend a cent on the official application.
Your Pathway to New Zealand Starts Here
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is, for most skilled migrants, the clearest and most reliable route into New Zealand employment today. It rewards genuine job offers, genuine employers, and well-prepared applications — which is exactly where Ezy Immigration’s experience makes the biggest difference. Whether your goal is a few years of New Zealand work experience or a long-term move towards residence, we are here to help you get there without the guesswork.
Explore our full range of New Zealand visa services to see how the AEWV fits into your wider plans, or, if you are considering a bigger move for your whole family, ask us about a full migration assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the eligibility criteria for an Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa needs a genuine, full-time job offer of at least 30 hours a week from an employer holding current Immigration New Zealand accreditation. You must also meet the skill and experience rules for your role, hold any required occupational registration, be in good health, of good character, and show a genuine reason for coming to work in New Zealand.
- How do I check if an employer is accredited?
You can check an employer’s accreditation status on the official Immigration New Zealand accredited employer list, searchable by company name. An accredited badge alone is not enough, though, as the employer also needs an approved Job Check for your specific role before you can apply. Ezy Immigration can verify both for you free of charge before you commit to anything.
- Where can I find the list of accredited employers for work visas in New Zealand?
Immigration New Zealand publishes the full, searchable Accredited Employer List on its official website, updated regularly as employers gain, renew or lose accreditation. It shows company names, accreditation type and status. Because listings change often, it is worth having a licensed adviser confirm your employer’s current standing before you begin your visa application.
- What are the costs associated with an Accredited Employer Work Visa?
Immigration New Zealand’s AEWV application fee currently starts from around NZD $1,540, though the exact amount depends on where you apply from. On top of that, budget for medical checks, police certificates, document translation and, if used, professional advisory fees. Ezy Immigration gives you a clear, upfront cost breakdown during your free assessment.
- Which industries in New Zealand commonly sponsor Accredited Employer Work Visas?
Healthcare, construction, hospitality, engineering, information technology, aged care and horticulture are among the sectors that most often sponsor AEWV workers, largely due to persistent skill shortages. Many of these roles also appear on the Green List, which can open a faster pathway toward New Zealand residence for eligible applicants.
- Where can I find official guidance on the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme?
Immigration New Zealand’s official website is the authoritative source for AEWV rules, fees, processing times and forms. It is regularly updated as policy changes, including recent 2026 updates to English language and occupation list settings. Ezy Immigration’s licensed advisers track every change so your application always reflects current requirements.
- Can I apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa online?
Yes. Once your employer completes an approved Job Check, they send you a unique link inviting you to apply online through Immigration New Zealand’s official portal. You will upload your documents, evidence and photo there. Ezy Immigration can prepare your file in advance so the online submission goes smoothly and without costly errors.
- What is the processing time for an Accredited Employer Work Visa application?
Immigration New Zealand currently processes around 80 percent of Accredited Employer Work Visa applications within roughly seven and a half weeks, though this varies with application volume and complexity. Complete, well-evidenced applications generally move faster. Missing documents or requests for further information can add several extra weeks to your wait.
- What documents are required for an Accredited Employer Work Visa?
You will typically need your signed job offer, employment agreement, job description, passport, a compliant photo, evidence of qualifications or work experience, proof of English ability where required, and police certificates. Some applicants also need a medical certificate or chest X-ray. Ezy Immigration provides a personalised checklist so nothing is missed.
- Can I bring my family with me on an Accredited Employer Work Visa?
You cannot include your partner or children directly on your own Accredited Employer Work Visa. However, depending on your job’s skill level and pay, you may be able to support a separate work or visitor visa for your partner and visitor or student visas for your dependent children once your AEWV is approved.
How would you like to move forward with securing your Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand?
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New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser and Australia Registered Migration Agents
IAA # 201300919
LIAA Member
MARA # 2117455
Got a job offer from a New Zealand accredited employer or ready to start your work visa journey? Ezy Immigration helps you navigate the application process without hassle. Set up a one-on-one meeting with our licensed immigration advisers to get personalized advice for your Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application.
Success Stories
Hear from skilled professionals we have helped successfully migrate to New Zealand.
- What You Get From Your Free Work Visa Assessment
Got a job offer or planning to work for a New Zealand accredited employer? Take our quick 2-minute evaluation to see if you meet all INZ work visa criteria before you apply. It’s 100% free, transparent, and risk-free. You’ll get clear, actionable guidance on job check alignment, skill requirements, and processing steps so you can move forward with confidence.
- We assess your job offer against current INZ wage and skill standards
- We audit your credentials and work history
- We outline a clear pathway to securing your AEWV
- Your personal information remains 100% secure