AEWV
Accredited Employer Work Visa
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa (AEWV NZ) for skilled migrant workers, enabling accredited employers in New Zealand to hire overseas talent for roles that cannot be filled by New Zealand citizens or residents.
Visa features
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An Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV NZ) can be granted for up to five years, depending on the job offer and the requirements of the role.
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AEWV holders in New Zealand may be eligible to support a partner and dependent children for visas, subject to meeting income thresholds and other Immigration New Zealand eligibility requirements.
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An Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV NZ) may provide a pathway to New Zealand residence through options such as the Green List pathways and the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), provided applicants meet the required eligibility criteria.
Application requirements
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The employer must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to hire overseas workers under the AEWV scheme.
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The job must pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage and align with the market rate for the role being offered.
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The job must be full-time, requiring at least 30 hours of work per week.
Immigration Methods Through AEWV
Immigration pathways under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV NZ) differ based on occupation and role type.
- Sector Agreement pathway – Certain roles such as Care Workforce (aged care or disability carer) and nursing support workers may qualify for a Work to Residence visa pathway, allowing applicants to apply for New Zealand residency after completing 2 years of relevant work experience.
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathway – AEWV work experience in New Zealand can also contribute additional points toward residency under the Skilled Migration system.
Under updated NZ immigration rules, it is strongly recommended to seek advice from a licensed immigration adviser to develop a tailored immigration strategy based on your individual 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 are excluded from the new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) work experience and Trades & Technician pathways in New Zealand. However, migrants in these roles may still qualify for other SMC pathways, such as those based on a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, or through employment earning at least 1.5 times the New Zealand median wage.
Amber list
Occupations on the Amber List will be subject to additional eligibility requirements to access the Skilled Work Experience pathway in New Zealand, and these roles will not be eligible for the Trades and Technicians pathway under the new SMC settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to have a job title and job description that match my field of study?
A: A key factor in New Zealand residence visa assessment is whether you genuinely have the skills required for the job offer. Skilled employment is evaluated based on your qualifications and/or relevant work experience.
Generally, having a job title and job description that closely align with your field of study or professional background strengthens your ability to meet the skill requirements for residence.
For example, in a Chef role, applicants are typically expected to hold a relevant qualification or demonstrate related work experience. Without appropriate qualifications or experience, the job may not be considered skilled employment for immigration purposes.
Q2: For an Open Work Visa, does the employer still need to complete a Job Check?
A: No. A Job Check is a mandatory requirement for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application, but it is not required for an Open Work Visa.
Q3: What is Market Rate?
A: “Market rate” pay refers to the typical wage paid to New Zealand citizens or residents performing the same role in the same location. Employers must advertise and offer at least this market rate, alongside compliance with New Zealand’s minimum wage laws.
From 1 April 2025, there is no fixed median wage requirement for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) job offers. Instead, employers must ensure the role is paid at least the NZ minimum wage and reflects the applicable market rate for the job and location.
Q4: What are the requirements to support my partner and dependent children under the AEWV?
A: 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.
Q5: What is the maximum duration I can stay in New Zealand on an AEWV?
A: 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.
