What is a New Zealand Accredited Employer?
Do you frequently hire employees from overseas, or anticipate that your business will require additional talent from outside of New Zealand? If so, your business may benefit from becoming a New Zealand Accredited Employer.
Businesses must apply for and receive Accredited Employer status from Immigration New Zealand in order to sponsor and recruit staff from overseas for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
NB: Accredited Employers will need to apply for a ‘Job Check’ in order to demonstrate the need to recruit from outside New Zealand.
The size and type of your business will determine what level of employer accreditation you will be able to apply for, as well as how many AEWV-dependent jobs you can offer.
The three types of employer accreditation are:
- Standard accreditation
- Suitable for ‘standard’ businesses intending to hire up to five individuals on an AEWV
- High-volume accreditation
- Suitable for ‘standard’ businesses intending to hire six or more individuals on an AEWV
- Franchisee accreditation (closed)
- Franchisee accreditation was removed on 16 June 2024. Franchise businesses now apply for standard, high-volume or triangular employer accreditation, depending on how many migrants they hire and how they employ them
- Triangular employer accreditation (previously called controlling third party accreditation)
- Suitable for businesses who place AEWV-dependent individuals with third parties, but for whom they are the direct employer. There is no limit on the number of AEWV-dependent individuals that can be hired with this level of accreditation
Businesses who successfully gain Accredited Employer status are permitted to sponsor individuals for an Accredited Employer Work Visa,
How do I apply for my business to be a New Zealand Accredited Employer?
In order to receive accreditation, an employer must submit an application and demonstrate that:
- they are a financially viable and genuine business which complies with New Zealand immigration law, and with business and employment standards
- they are not banned or otherwise prevented from hiring migrant workers by the New Zealand Labour Inspectorate
- they will commit to supporting the training and integration needs of any employees they sponsor for an AEWV
It is permitted for businesses to apply and be granted one level of employer accreditation, and subsequently to apply to change to a different level of accreditation. The business must comply with the requirements of the requested new accreditation level, and pay the relevant application fee.
The application fee payable to Immigration New Zealand varies according to the level of accreditation requested:
- Standard accreditation – NZD $775
- High-volume accreditation – NZD $1,280 (NZD $505 if upgrading from standard accreditation)
- Triangular employer accreditation – NZD $4,060
Businesses which have their application rejected can pay NZD $250 to have their application reconsidered.
Once accreditation has been received, each Job Check costs NZD $735.
How long does Accredited Employer status last?
A business’ first accreditation will last for 12 months, after which it will need to be renewed. Standard and high-volume accreditation can then be renewed for 24 months at a time, while triangular employer accreditation is renewed for 12 months at a time.
From accreditation to a visa: the four steps
Accreditation is only the first step. Hiring a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa usually follows this order:
- Employer accreditation. You apply online through Immigration Online, choose the right accreditation type and pay the fee. Choosing the wrong type means applying and paying again.
- Job Check. For each role you want to fill, you show that the job is genuine, that the pay and conditions meet New Zealand employment law and at least the market rate, and that you have genuinely tried to recruit New Zealanders.
- The worker applies for the AEWV. Once the Job Check is approved, you give the worker a job token and they apply for the visa themselves. The AEWV fee is NZD $1,540 (application fee plus immigration levy).
- Ongoing obligations and renewal. You keep meeting your obligations to the worker and renew your accreditation before it expires.
The Job Check is where most of the detail sits. In general:
- the role must be advertised for at least 14 days (standard advertising requirement), with the pay rate or range included in the advertisement
- for skill level 4 and 5 roles you must also engage with Work and Income (the Ministry of Social Development) before you can hire a migrant
- roles paid at least twice the median wage (NZD $70.00 an hour since 9 March 2026) do not need to be advertised
- the employment agreement must be for at least 30 hours a week and must meet New Zealand employment law
- the Job Check fee is NZD $735 per Job Check
Since 10 March 2025 there is no general median wage requirement for the AEWV. You must pay at least the market rate for the role, and never less than the minimum wage.
Accredited employer FAQs
Can I offer a job to a migrant before my business is accredited?
You can talk to candidates, but they cannot apply for an AEWV until your business is accredited and the Job Check for their role is approved. Many employers apply for accreditation first so it is in place when they find the right person.
Which accreditation type do I need?
Standard accreditation covers up to 5 AEWV holders at any one time. High-volume accreditation is for 6 or more. Triangular employer accreditation is for businesses, such as labour hire firms, that place AEWV workers with other businesses while remaining the direct employer. Franchisee accreditation closed on 16 June 2024.
Do I always have to advertise the job?
In most cases, yes. The main exception is a role paid at least twice the median wage (NZD $70.00 an hour). Other exemptions can apply, for example to some roles on the Green List. We check what applies to your role before you start recruiting.
What happens if we breach employment law?
Employers with certain employment standards breaches can be stood down from hiring migrants for a period, and accreditation can be suspended or revoked. Keeping accurate wage, time and holiday records is the best protection.
Can VisaEnvoy prepare the accreditation and Job Check for us?
Yes. Our licensed advisers and lawyers prepare accreditation applications, Job Checks and AEWV applications, and help employers set up processes for renewals and compliance. See our corporate immigration services.
