• Accredited Employer Work Visa

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The New Zealand Government will be accepting applications for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) from 4 July 2022. 

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) was introduced to replace six of the existing temporary work visa categories and streamline the process. The AEWV is shifting towards an employer-led system where the application process is simplified to assist businesses to recruit international workers to fulfil skill shortages.

What is the Employer-led Application Process?

Shifting towards an employer-led process means that the employer is required to complete a three-stage application prior to the migrant applying for their visa.

What is the 3 Stage Application Process?

The new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application process will be employer led. Before hiring a migrant on the AEWV employers will need to:

  • apply for accreditation under the new system
  • apply for a job check to make sure the role they want to fill cannot be done by New Zealanders, and
  • request a migrant worker to apply for a visa.

The migrant will need to meet the skills and experience stipulated as part of the job check. This is similar to Australia’s TSS 482 visa process.

New Zealand’s New Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Estimated Processing Timeframes

New Zealand Immigration have provided an estimate on processing timeframes for the AEWV. These are typical timeframes applicable to employers with a standard business model and no history of non-compliance.

Application Estimated Processing Timeframe
Standard and high-volume accreditation 10 working days
Job check 10 working days
Accredited Employer Work Visa 20 working days

What is the new AEWV system?

The new AEWV system introduces three checks that the employer must complete prior to hiring a migrant worker. The three checks are:

  • Accreditation Check
  • Job Check
  • Accredited Employer Work Visa Application
Accreditation Check

To pass the accreditation check you need accreditation in the new system. Only accredited employers can hire a migrant worker on the AEWV.

Employers can commence applying for accreditation from 23 May 2022.

The new accreditation levels are:

Job Check

The job check will confirm the job pays the market rate, the terms and conditions comply with our employment laws, and you have done a labour market test if you need to.

A labour market test shows you have genuinely advertised the role to New Zealanders and there are no New Zealanders available to do the job. For jobs paying below the median wage, the labour market test includes checking with the Ministry of Social Development.

Accredited Employer Work Visa Application

Once, the employer has passed the accreditation and job check, the migrant worker can submit their Accredited Employer Work Visa application. This is the last step in the AEWV process. The migrant worker must show they meet INZ’s character, identity and health requirements, and meet the skills and experience stipulated as part of the employer’s job check application.

AEWV Fees & Costs

Employer – 

  • Standard accreditation, up to 5 migrants at any one time, is NZD $740
  • High-volume, 6 or more migrants at any one time, is NZD $1220
  • Job check fee — NZD $610
  • Reconsideration of declined job check — NZD $240

Employee/Migrant Worker – 

  • Application for AEWV – NZD $540
  • Immigration levy paid by worker – NZD $55
  • Reconsideration of a declined AEWV application – NZD $220
  • Variation of conditions – NZD $190
Book now to discuss your options

Mohamed Anas Sirajur Raheem

BA (Political Studies), LLB (VUW)

Mohamed is a New Zealand Immigration Consultant with VisaEnvoy and an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

He is a former New Zealand Immigration Officer (Visa Services) and Border Officer at Auckland International Airport. He has several years of experience working in various Government Departments in New Zealand and has also worked as a Licensed Immigration Adviser at a prominent New Zealand Immigration firm.

His areas of expertise and interest are in the fields of General Skilled Migration, Temporary Work (Long and Short Stay), Business visas, Partner, Parent and Child Visa streams.

Mohamed was inspired to pursue a career in immigration by his own migration experiences. Over the years he has assisted individuals, families, large corporations, Professional sportspeople, and Entertainers (singers, speakers, and actors) to come to New Zealand.

Book appointment