Accredited Employer Work Visa
Apply for this temporary visa if you have a job offer from an accredited employer, the skills and qualifications for the job, and a link to the visa application form.
Length of stay Up to 3 years
Cost From NZD $750
Processing time 90% within 65 weekdays
With this visa you can
Work in New Zealand for an accredited employer who has offered you at least 30 hours work a week.
Study for up to 3 months in any 12 month period, or do any study required as part of your employment.
If you are eligible, apply for a Straight to Residence Visa, Work to Residence Visa, Care Workforce or Transport Work to Residence Visa.
If you are eligible, use skilled work experience in New Zealand to claim points towards the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Things to note
Your visa will be valid for up to 3 years if you are paid at or above the New Zealand median wage of NZD $29.66 an hour. The median wage is updated every year.
Wage rate requirements for visas
This visa ties you to the employer who offered you the visa application for the length of your visa — if your situation changes you will need to vary the conditions of your visa or apply for a new visa.
You may be able to support a work visa for your partner and visitor or student visas for your dependent children. You can only support your dependent child's visitor or student visa if you earn at least NZD $43,322.76 each year.
Maximum continuous stay and longer visa length for the AEWV
From 27 November 2023 the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will change to include a maximum continuous stay and a longer visa length.
Summary of changes to the AEWV
From 27 November 2023 we are:
introducing a 'maximum continuous stay' for everyone who has an AEWV
increasing the length of the AEWV for people earning at least the median wage from 3 years to 5 years, and
increasing the length of the AEWV for people in the care workforce sector who are paid at least the level 3 pay rate, from 2 years to 3 years.
Wage rate requirements for visas
EXAMPLE
If your AEWV is approved from 27 November and you are paid at least the median wage:
your visa may last for up to 5 years (visa length)
you can spend up to 5 years on 1 or more AEWVs (maximum continuous stay)
after 5 years if you want another AEWV you must spend at least 12 months in a row outside New Zealand first (time spent outside New Zealand)
once you have been outside New Zealand for 12 months in a row you may be eligible for a further AEWV for up to 5 years.
If you have an AEWV that was approved before 27 November 2023, and you are eligible for the longer visa length:
you will be able to apply for the balance of the 5-year or 3-year visa
your employer will not need another Job Check if your role and visa conditions remain the same.
Maximum continuous stay
A 'maximum continuous stay' is the total time you can be on an AEWV before you must spend time outside New Zealand to be eligible for another AEWV.
From 27 November, if you are paid at least the median wage, your maximum continuous stay will be 5 years.
Maximum continuous stays are also being introduced for sectors which are exempt from paying the median wage.
AEWV length, maximum continuous stay and time outside New Zealand effective from 27 November 2023
Role Maximum visa length Maximum continuous stay Time you must spend outside New Zealand
Roles paid at least median wage 5 years 5 years 12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid the level 4 pay rate 3 years 5 years 12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid the level 3 pay rate 3 years 3 years 12 months
Construction and infrastructure sector roles paid below median wage 2 years 2 years 12 months
Transport sector roles paid below median wage 3 years 5 years 12 months
Seasonal snow and adventure tourism sector roles paid below median wage 7 months 5 years 12 months
Tourism and hospitality sector roles paid below median wage 2 years 2 years 12 months
Meat processing sector roles paid below median wage 7 months 7 months 4 months
Seafood processing (onshore) sector roles paid below median wage 7 months 7 months 4 months
NOTE
The changes do not apply to you if you are employed on a Fishing Crew Work Visa and working at sea.
For the care workforce you can check the level 3 and level 4 pay rates at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand.
Support workers' minimum wage rates update — Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Maximum visa length is not always the same as the maximum continuous stay
The maximum visa length is not always the same length of time as the maximum continuous stay.
If the maximum continuous stay is longer than the maximum visa length for your role, any further AEWVs you get can only be approved for up to the length of the maximum continuous stay.
EXAMPLE
You are a bus driver in the transport sector paid below median wage.
Your maximum visa length is 3 years.
Your maximum continuous stay is 5 years.
You can get a 3-year AEWV (the maximum visa length).
At the end of 3 years you can apply for a second AEWV, but the visa length can only be up to 2 years. This is because your total maximum continuous stay is 5 years.
Calculating time for maximum continuous stays
We count your maximum continuous stay from the date:
your first AEWV was issued, or
you arrived in New Zealand on an AEWV, if your AEWV was issued while you were outside New Zealand.
Unless you have already spent the required time outside New Zealand, any time spent on an AEWV approved before 27 November 2023 — including time spent on an AEWV paid below the median wage — will count towards the new maximum continuous stay.
Your maximum continuous stay will not reset until you spend the required time outside New Zealand.
NOTE
You can have multiple shorter AEWVs that add up to your maximum continuous stay. For example, if your maximum continuous stay is 5 years, it can include a 3-year visa and a 2-year visa.
Your maximum continuous stay cannot include time spent on:
temporary visas such as visitor and student visas
other work visas such as post study, partnership or working holiday visas
an Interim Visa.
When you reach your maximum continuous stay
When you reach the maximum continuous stay, you must leave New Zealand for at least the required amount of time to be eligible for another AEWV. Refer to Table 1.
You must spend at least 12 months in a row outside New Zealand if you are paid:
the median wage or above, or
below the median wage in a role other than meat and seafood processing.
You must spend at least 4 months in a row outside New Zealand if you are paid below the median wage in a meat or seafood processing role.
At any time, if you have spent the required time outside New Zealand, even if you have not yet reached the maximum continuous stay period:
you will be eligible for another AEWV
your new AEWV visa length will be the maximum for your role, and
the maximum continuous stay of your AEWV will be reset.
If you are on a pathway to residence
You will be able to apply for another AEWV without spending 12 months out of New Zealand if you can show you are on a pathway to residence.
This could include, for example, if you meet the skill threshold — occupational registration, qualification or income — but need more time to complete your skilled work experience.
We will provide more information on recognised pathways to residence in the future.
Length of AEWV for roles paid at least the median wage
The maximum length of an AEWV is increasing from 3 to 5 years.
This applies to all applications approved from 27 November 2023 where the job or job offer is paid at least the median wage.
If you have an existing AEWV
From 27 November, you will be able to apply for another AEWV to receive the visa balance of 5 years if you:
have, or had, an AEWV approved before 27 November 2023, and
have a job or job offer paying at least the median wage at the time you apply for another AEWV.
If you have already spent 12 months outside New Zealand, you may be eligible for an AEWV for up to 5 years.
NOTE
You do not have to wait until your current AEWV expires to apply for the balance of 5 years.
EXAMPLE
You currently have a 3-year AEWV. On 27 November you apply for a second AEWV to claim the longer maximum visa length. You will receive a new AEWV with a visa length of 2 years. Your total balance over the 2 visas is the maximum visa length of 5 years. Your new visa starts when your current one ends.
Length of AEWV for care workforce roles paid below median wage
The maximum length of an AEWV for a care workforce worker paid the level 3 or level 4 pay rate is increasing from 2 to 3 years.
This applies to all applications approved from 27 November where the job or job offer is paid at the level 3 or 4 rate.
For workers paid at the level 3 pay rate, this increase will give you enough time to complete the level 4 qualification and move to the higher pay rate and pathway to residence. If you move to the level 4 pay rate, you will be able to apply for a further AEWV to get the maximum continuous stay of 5 years.
For workers paid at the level 4 pay rate, this increase will give you time to apply for residence after you have completed the required 2 years of work experience at the level 4 pay rate.
If you have an existing AEWV as part of the care workforce sector
From 27 November you will be able to apply for a further AEWV to get the visa balance of 3 years if you:
have, or had, an AEWV as part of the care workforce sector agreement approved before 27 November 2023, and
have not spent the required amount of time outside New Zealand.
NOTE
You do not have to wait until your current AEWV expires to apply for the balance of 3 years.
EXAMPLE
You currently have a 2-year AEWV as part of the care workforce sector. On 27 November you apply for a second AEWV to claim the longer maximum visa length. You will receive a new AEWV with a visa length of 1 year. Your total balance over the 2 visas is the maximum visa length of 3 years. Your new visa starts when your current one ends.
Employers with workers applying for their AEWV balance
You can support your employee to apply for their visa length balance if you are paying at least the median wage, or you employ them as part of the care workforce sector agreement.
When you can reuse a job token
You will not need to do another Job Check for the role and you can reuse the existing job token, if:
your employee has an AEWV on 26 November 2023
you offer them the same role, in the same location, and
you pay them at least the amount listed in their current AEWV conditions.
nz immigration pathways. new zealand migration process. move to new zealand requirements. how to immigrate to nz. skilled migrant visa points calculator. nz permanent residency options. work visa types nz. entrepreneur visa nz. family reunification visa nz. student visa nz requirements. ielts for immigration nz. nz immigration health requirements. immigration lawyer new zealand. citizenship by descent nz. post study work visa nz. top immigration consultants nz. affordable immigration services nz. free immigration consultation nz. immigration news nz. nz immigration success stories.
auckland immigration advisor. wellington immigration lawyer. christchurch work visa specialist. dunedin student visa consultant. tauranga skilled migrant visa experts. hamilton family visa services. nelson investor visa advisors. palmerston north citizenship specialists. rotorua refugee legal assistance. whangarei post study work visa support. queenstown immigration consultants. wanaka business visa lawyers. tekapo entrepreneur visa support. waiheke settlement services. taupo immigration seminars.
new zealand immigration lawyer for nurses. nz business visa assistance for startups. how to get a work visa in nz after graduation. skilled migrant visa with low english score nz. best immigration agency auckland for families. nz investor visa requirements for property investment. free immigration consultation wellington. fastest way to get permanent residency in nz. appealing a declined visa application nz. spouse visa sponsorship requirements nz. can i immigrate to nz with a criminal record. what is the minimum salary for skilled migrant visa nz. nz immigration health requirements for tuberculosis. top universities in nz for post study work visa. how to find a job in nz as an immigrant. can i bring my parents to nz. nz immigration services for refugees. best cities to live in nz for skilled migrants. how to open a business in nz as an immigrant. nz immigration application checklist for skilled workers. can i work remotely in nz with a student visa. settling in new zealand guide for families.
immigration consultant fees auckland. cheapest immigration lawyer hamilton. nz immigration agency reviews. compare immigration services christchurch. best value immigration advisor dunedin. get a free immigration quote nz. urgent immigration assistance nelson. nz immigration consultant near me. book an immigration consultation now. immigration advice online chat.
licensed immigration advisor nz. iaanz accredited immigration consultant. nzisa member immigration lawyer. immigration appeal rights nz. immigration ethics nz. inz online application portal. immigration policy updates nz. nz immigration skills shortages list. skilled migrant category points allocation. investor visa funds requirements nz. family visa processing times nz. student visa health insurance nz. ielts test nz immigration requirements. nz immigration glossary of terms. free immigration webinars nz.
new zealand dream. living in new zealand. working in new zealand. studying in new zealand. beautiful new zealand. safe new zealand. friendly new zealand. multicultural new zealand. career opportunities nz. invest in new zealand.
新西兰移民路径. 新西兰移民流程. 移居新西兰的条件. 如何移民新西兰. 技术移民签证积分计算器. 新西兰永久居留权选项. 新西兰工作签证类型. 新西兰企业家签证. 新西兰家庭团聚签证. 新西兰学生签证要求. 新西兰移民雅思要求. 新西兰移民健康要求. 新西兰移民律师. 新西兰血统入籍. 新西兰毕业后工作签证. 新西兰顶尖移民顾问. 新西兰负担得起的移民服务. 新西兰免费移民咨询. 新西兰移民新闻. 新西兰移民成功案例. 奥克兰移民顾问. 惠灵顿移民律师. 基督城工作签证专家. 邓edin 学生签证顾问. 陶朗加技术移民签证专家. 汉密尔顿家庭签证服务. 尼尔森投资者签证顾问. 帕默斯顿北公民身份专家. 罗托鲁难民法律援助. 旺格雷毕业后工作签证支持. 皇后镇移民顾问. 瓦纳卡商业签证律师. 特卡波企业家签证支持. Waiheke 安置服务. 陶波移民研讨会. 新西兰移民律师护士. 新西兰商业签证 初创企业. 如何在新西兰毕业后获得工作签证. 技术移民签证 低英语成绩 新西兰. 奥克兰最适合家庭的移民机构. 新西兰投资者签证 房地产投资要求. 免费移民咨询 惠灵顿. 获得新西兰永久居留权的最快方式. 申诉被拒签的签证申请 新西兰. 配偶签证担保要求 新西兰. 我可以带着犯罪记录移民新西兰吗. 新西兰技术移民签证最低工资. 新西兰移民肺结核健康要求. 新西兰毕业后工作签证最佳大学. 如何在新西兰找到移民工作. 我可以把父母带到新西兰吗. 新西兰难民移民服务. 适合技术移民的新西兰最佳城市. 如何在新西兰开办移民企业. 新西兰技术移民工人移民申请清单. 我可以在新西兰持有学生签证远程工作吗. 新西兰家庭安居指南. 移民顾问费用 奥克兰. 汉密尔顿最便宜的移民律师. 新西兰移民机构评论. 比较基督城的移民服务. 邓edin 最划算的移民顾问. 获取免费移民报价 新西兰. 紧急移民援助 尼尔森. 新西兰移民顾问 附近. 预订移民咨询 现在. 在线移民咨询聊天. 新西兰梦. 新西兰生活. 新西兰工作. 新西兰留学. 美丽的 新西兰. 安全的 新西兰. 友好的 新西兰. 多元文化的 新西兰. 新西兰的职业机会. 在新西兰投资.