AEWV
Accredited Employer Work Visa
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa for skilled workers, designed to allow accredited employers to hire overseas talent for roles that cannot be filled by New Zealand citizens or residents.
Visa features
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An AEWV can be granted for up to five years based on the job offered
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Holders may support a partner and dependent children to get visas, subject to income and other criteria
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An AEWV can lead to a Resident Visa through pathways including the Green List and Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), if eligibility criteria are met
Application requirements
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The employer must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand
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The job must offer at least the New Zealand minimum wage and be paid at the market rate
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The job must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week)
Immigration Methods Through AEWV
Immigration methods through AEWV vary depending on the occupation.
- Sector Agreement – For certain occupations (e.g., Care Workforce – Aged or disabled carer, Nursing support worker), you can apply for permanent residency through the 2-year work to residence pathway after completing 2 years of relevant work
- Skilled migration method by adding points for work experience gained in New Zealand through AEWV
Under the revised skilled migration law, we recommend consulting with a licensed immigration adviser about an immigration strategy suited to your individual situation and circumstances.
New Pathways
Effective from August 2026
New pathways and updated eligibility requirements will come into effect from August 2026. For more detailed information, please refer to the following:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa-announced/
Trades and technician pathway
To apply under this pathway, you must:
- work in 1 of the specified trades or technician roles (ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3), and
- have a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification (of at least 120 points), and
- have at least 4 years of post-qualification directly relevant skilled work experience, including 18 months in New Zealand paid at or above the median wage.
A table listing the specific trades and technicians qualifications will be published on our website in the coming months.
Skilled work experience pathway
To apply under this pathway, you must:
- work in a skilled role (ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3), and
- have at least 5 years of directly relevant skilled work experience, including 2 years in New Zealand paid at or above 1.1 times the median wage.
Red list
Red list occupations will be excluded from the new skilled work experience and trades and technicians pathways. Migrants applying for these roles may still be eligible under other SMC pathways, for example Bachelor’s or above qualification or 1.5 times the median wage.
Amber list
Occupations on the amber list will have additional eligibility criteria to access the skilled work experience pathway, these occupations will not be eligible for the trades and technician pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a job title and job description that match my field of study?
One of the most important factors in a residence application assessment is whether you genuinely possess the skills required for the job offer. Residence applications are assessed based on skilled employment, and skills are demonstrated through qualifications and/or work experience.
In general, having a job title and job description that align with your academic background or work experience increases the likelihood of passing the skill assessment.
For example, in the case of a Chef position, you must have a relevant diploma qualification or at least related work experience to meet the skill requirements. Without relevant qualifications or experience, the job offer itself may not be recognised as skilled employment.
For an Open Work Visa, does the employer still need to complete a Job Check?
No. A Job Check is a mandatory requirement for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application.
However, a Job Check is not required for an Open Work Visa.
What is Market Rate?
“Market rate” pay refers to the typical wage paid to New Zealand citizens or residents doing the same job in the same location. Employers must advertise and offer this rate or higher, along with meeting legal obligations such as the New Zealand minimum wage.
As of 1 April 2025, there is no fixed median wage requirement for AEWV job offers – employers must pay at least the minimum wage and the applicable market rate for the role and location.
What are the requirements to support my partner and dependent children under the AEWV?
To support a partner for a work visa:
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Jobs at ANZSCO Skill Level 1–3 must pay at least NZD $28 per hour.
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Jobs at ANZSCO Skill Level 4–5 must pay at least NZD $52.50 per hour.
To support dependent children for a domestic student visa:
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The annual salary of the AEWV holder must be at least NZD $55,844.
Note: These amounts are subject to change annually.
What is the maximum duration I can stay in New Zealand on an AEWV?
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For Skill Level 1–3 jobs, Green List roles, or high‑pay jobs at 1.5× the market rate, the maximum stay is up to 5 years.
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For Skill Level 4–5 jobs, the maximum stay is up to 3 years.
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After reaching the maximum stay, a stand-down period of 12 months outside New Zealand is required before a new AEWV application can be submitted.
What is a New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser?
The immigration adviser system, implemented from 4 May 2009, aims to protect migrants through accurate legal advice from advisers verified by the Immigration Advisors Authority under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and to facilitate fast and efficient immigration processing through cooperation between immigration advisers and Immigration New Zealand. Therefore, when seeking immigration advice or applying for visas in New Zealand, it’s important to first verify that your adviser is a New Zealand government-licensed immigration adviser.
Licensed immigration advisers can be searched on the Immigration Advisors Authority website.
Verify New Zealand Government Licensed Immigration Adviser →
We hope you will safely pursue your study-to-immigration or immigration consultation with Education New Zealand-certified consultants who hold New Zealand government-licensed immigration adviser qualifications, and achieve your dreams in New Zealand together.
