New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa pathway for skilled foreign workers. It enables migrants to live and work in New Zealand if they have a job offer from an accredited employer and meet the necessary skill and wage thresholds.

• Work for 5 years in New Zealand.
• Pathway to residence for Green List roles.
• Work rights for partners and school access for dependent children.
• Opportunity to settle long-term and transition to Skilled Migrant Category.

1. Green List Occupations

These are highly skilled roles in demand in New Zealand, offering a pathway to residence.

Pathways: Straight to Residence, Work to Residence (after 2 years), or Sector Residence (special sector agreement).

2. Sector Agreement Roles

These are roles where temporary lower wage thresholds are permitted to address labor shortages. They usually require a Stand Down Period.

Covered Sectors:

• Aged Care
• Construction and Infrastructure
• Hospitality
• Meat Processing
• Seafood
• Transport (Truck Drivers, Bus Drivers)
• Care Workforce (Health Care Assistants)

Example Roles:

3. Standard Roles (Non-Green List)

Roles that don’t fall under Green List or Sector Agreements, but still meet the median wage threshold.

• Must meet the current NZ median wage: NZD $31.61/hour (as of 2024).
• Job check required to prove the role cannot be filled by a New Zealander.

1. Job Offer
   • Must be from a New Zealand-accredited employer.
   • Offer must include full-time employment (30+ hours/week).
2. Skill & Qualification
   • Your role must meet the ANZSCO skill level.
   • Must hold qualification or experience relevant to the job (e.g., Level 7 bachelor’s degree for engineers, Level 4 certificate for care workers).
3. Wage Requirement
   • Must be paid at or above the median wage unless covered by sector agreements.
4. Work Experience
   • Minimum 2–5 years relevant experience based on role type and qualification level.
5. Age Requirement
   • No fixed minimum/maximum age for AEWV.
   • However, you must be fit for work and meet health/character criteria.
6. English Requirement
   • Not mandatory for AEWV (unless transitioning to residence pathways like Skilled Migrant Category).

1. Employer Accreditation: Your NZ employer must be accredited under Immigration NZ.
2. Job Check: Employer submits a Job Check to prove role compliance, wage threshold, and labor market test (if applicable).
3. Apply for AEWV: You submit your application with valid job offer, qualification and experience proof, passport, police, and medical certificates.
4. Visa Assessment: Immigration NZ will assess your application against the ANZSCO occupation, wage, and qualifications.
5. Visa Decision: Once approved, you receive your AEWV to travel and work in New Zealand.

Processing Time: Average 20–30 working days, may vary based on role and documents.