New Zealand Work Visas
Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand
Accredited employer work visas (AEWV) are the most common work visa pathway offered to migrants who have a job offer in New Zealand.
The visa application process has three stages, with the first two completed by the employer:
- Employer Accreditation
- Job Check
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
You can be offered a job at any time, but the AEWV application can only start after the employer is accredited and has an approved job check.
To qualify for an AEWV, the job offer must pay at or above the market rate for the particular job. All roles must be paid at or higher than the New Zealand minimum wage.
The AEWV application assesses a migrant worker’s character, identity, and health against Immigration New Zealand’s requirements. It also evaluates the worker’s skills and experience against the employer’s job check requirements and Immigration New Zealand’s minimum skills threshold.
| A migrant needs to meet one of these minimum skills threshold requirements: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 years relevant work experience | Relevant qualification at Level 4 or higher (with NZQA assessment if needed) | Any bachelor’s degree or higher qualification |
Immigration New Zealand is introducing the National Occupation List (NOL) to determine a role’s skill level and eligibility for the AEWV. The NOL is gradually replacing the ANZSCO framework and provides clearer criteria for assessing work experience, qualifications, and pay requirements.
Employers must cover all recruitment costs and fees inside and outside New Zealand, including fees associated with accreditation and job check stages. Fees associated with the AEWV and relocation to New Zealand can be paid by either the employer or the migrant worker.
Obtaining a job offer from an accredited employer is a key step towards residency, as Immigration New Zealand requires skilled job offers for residency under Skilled Residence categories.
If you have further questions or want to know if this visa fits your circumstances, please contact us for assistance.
Job changes and work visa renewal
Work visas like the AEWV are linked to a specific employer, location, and occupation. If you get a promotion, move to a new location, or change employers, you need to apply for a variation of conditions to your existing work visa (also called a job change) or apply for a new work visa. You can only start in the new role once this is approved.
Migrants on an Essential Skills work visa (ESWV) can remain on that visa until it expires and are able to vary the conditions to change jobs. ESWV holders who want to stay in New Zealand after their visa expires need to find a job paying market rates with an Accredited Employer to apply for an AEWV.
AEWV holders paid at market rates with a higher-skilled job at ANZSCO Skill level 1-3 are eligible for an accredited employer work visa with a five-year term.
Most AEWV holders with a lower-skilled job at ANZSCO level 4 or 5 will have a maximum continuous stay of 3 years, except if they are:
- on the Green List; or
- in transport and care sector agreements and in a pathway to residence; or
- earning 1.5 times the median wage; or
- applied for their first AEWV between 21 June 2023 and 6 April 2024 and the job was paid at $29.66 per hour or higher.
After reaching the maximum continuous stay on an AEWV, those who cannot apply for residence must leave New Zealand and spend 12 consecutive months outside the country to be eligible for another AEWV.
A new Temporary Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) pathway will be available from 8 September 2025 for some migrants who are entering their stand-down period. Click here for more information.
If you need to apply for a job change or renew your visa, please contact us.
“Graydon was always professional, polite and the communication was clear and easy to understands. He replied in a very timely manner and I was kept up to date with the process. We would like to thank Graydon very much for the wonderful service.”
Rajan Sigdel
New Zealand Working Holiday Visas
New Zealand has working holiday visa schemes for people aged 18 to 30 from various countries (18 to 35 from some selected countries), who would like to experience New Zealand through a working holiday.
This visa generally allows you to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, except for applicants from the United Kingdom and Canada, who can stay for a longer period.
Successful applicants are granted a multiple-entry visa which allows them to travel in and out of New Zealand freely for the duration of their visa.
To get started on your working holiday plans in New Zealand, contact us today.
Post Study Work Visas
Post Study Work Visas are available for those students who have completed a New Zealand bachelor degree or higher-level qualification, or some diplomas that are on the eligible list.
Post Study Work Visas have a duration of 1-3 years, depending on the length of time spent studying in New Zealand and the level of the qualification. Post Study Work Visas allow you to work for any employer in any location in any occupation in New Zealand.
Post-study work visas are also available to those who complete specific qualifications on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. However, work conditions will be restricted to jobs related to what you studied for these post study work visas.
OTHER WORK VISAS
We can also assist in other work visa pathways including:
|
Specific purpose work visas |
a work visa to complete a specific purpose in New Zealand such as installation, maintenance, business visits lasting longer than 3 months, etc. |
|
Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) work visas |
a sponsored work visa for people with exceptional talent in your field of art, sport or culture |
|
Religious worker work visa |
a sponsored work visa for people with to advance their sponsor’s religious objectives |
|
Migrant exploitation protection work visas |
an open work visa for those who have reported exploitation |
|
Victims of family violence work visas |
for those who have been victims of family violence |