Variation of Conditions for AEWV Holders

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is tied to specific conditions: your employer, occupation, and location. When circumstances change, a Variation of Conditions (VOC) application lets you modify these conditions without applying for an entirely new visa, saving time and expense.

Common reasons for a VOC

• Changing employers
• Changing your role or occupation with the same employer
• Updating other visa conditions

Changing employers

If you want to move to a new employer:

• Your new employer must hold current accreditation with Immigration New Zealand
• They must have completed a Job Check for the role (the 2025 AEWV changes reshaped several of these employer requirements)
• You’ll need to provide a new employment agreement
• You must demonstrate that you meet the requirements for the updated position

Timing and documentation

• Apply for the variation BEFORE making any changes to your employment situation
• Working outside your visa conditions without approval is a breach that can have serious consequences, including visa cancellation and future application difficulties
• Processing times vary; complete and accurate documentation helps avoid delays

Not all changes require a VOC

Minor changes (such as a small change in work location within the same region) may not need formal approval. However, it’s safer to check with INZ or seek professional advice rather than assume a change is permitted.

Practical next step

The “apply before changing” discipline is the single most important rule. The day you start work for a different employer without VOC approval is the day you’re potentially in breach of your visa conditions. Build the VOC application into any job-change planning, not as an afterthought.