Policy verified from immigration.govt.nz as of 2026-04-13
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's primary employer-sponsored work visa. It requires a three-step process: the employer must be accredited, a job check must be completed, and the worker must meet individual visa requirements. It can be granted for up to 5 years with pathways to residence.
Source: immigration.govt.nz — 2026-04-13
How the AEWV Works
The AEWV is a three-step process:
- Employer Accreditation — The employer applies for and obtains accreditation from INZ
- Job Check — INZ verifies the role is genuine, meets wage requirements, and local recruitment was attempted
- Worker Visa Application — The worker applies for the visa with the accredited employer's job offer
Key Requirements
- Job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer
- Role must pass a job check with INZ
- Pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage (some roles may have higher thresholds)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Valid passport
Visa Duration
An AEWV can be granted for up to 5 years for ANZSCO skill level 1-3 roles, or up to 3 years for ANZSCO skill level 4-5 roles. Workers in level 4-5 roles earning at least 1.5 times the median wage may be eligible for up to 5 years.
Pathways to Residence
An AEWV can be a stepping stone to permanent residence through:
- The Green List — if your occupation qualifies
- Skilled Migrant Category — points-based residence
- Work to Residence — after qualifying work period
How ProVisas Helps
- We assist employers with accreditation applications
- We prepare job check documentation to meet INZ requirements
- We handle the worker's visa application from start to finish
- We plan the residence pathway from day one
The AEWV process involves three separate applications. Missing a requirement at any stage resets the timeline. A licensed adviser keeps all three stages coordinated and on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's primary employer-sponsored work visa. It requires the employer to be accredited, a job check to be completed, and the worker to meet visa requirements.
An AEWV can be granted for up to 5 years, depending on the role and circumstances.
Yes. The employer must hold a valid accreditation with Immigration New Zealand before they can support an AEWV application. ProVisas helps employers through the accreditation process.
Since March 2025, the general median wage requirement for the AEWV has been removed. Roles must pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage. However, some roles — such as Green List occupations and sector agreement roles — may have specific pay thresholds. Check immigration.govt.nz for current details.
Yes. Depending on the occupation, an AEWV can be a stepping stone to residence through the Green List, Skilled Migrant Category, or Work to Residence pathways.
A job check is a verification step where INZ confirms the role is genuine, meets wage requirements, and that the employer has made reasonable efforts to recruit locally.
