The Accredited Employer Work Visa
How the AEWV Generally Works
A general overview of New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — the main employer-sponsored work visa — and what Immigration New Zealand generally requires. This is general information only, not personalised advice. Requirements, fees and wage thresholds change over time; current detail is on immigration.govt.nz, and how the visa applies to a particular situation is assessed by a licensed adviser.
General Overview
What the AEWV Generally Involves
A Job With an Accredited Employer
The AEWV generally requires a full-time job offer (at least 30 hours a week) from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand, with an approved job check for the role.
Skills & Experience
Applicants generally need either around two years of relevant work experience or a qualification at NZQCF level 4 or higher in the same field, unless an exemption such as the Green List applies.
The Wage Threshold
The role generally must be paid at least the applicable wage threshold. Many thresholds are based on the New Zealand median wage, which is updated each year by Immigration New Zealand.
English, Health & Character
English-language requirements generally apply to roles at ANZSCO skill levels 3 to 5, alongside the health and character requirements common to NZ visas.
How Long You Can Stay
The AEWV can generally allow a stay of up to five years for many roles, or up to three years for ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs, depending on pay and when the first visa was granted.
A Possible Path to Residence
Time on an AEWV can support some residence pathways, such as the Skilled Migrant Category. Whether and how this applies depends on circumstances and current policy.
Working With VisaPlex
From First Conversation to a Clear Plan
- 1
Map Your Situation
Start in the AVA workspace to organise your job offer, experience and qualification details against the general AEWV framework.
- 2
Adviser Review
A licensed immigration adviser reviews your situation against current policy and explains the options that may apply.
- 3
Prepare the Application
If you choose to proceed, your adviser guides the documents and evidence relevant to your role and circumstances.
- 4
Submission & Support
Your application is submitted and supported through to a decision.
Common Questions
Common Questions About the AEWV
Immigration New Zealand sets the application fee and publishes indicative processing times, and both change over time. Rather than rely on a figure that may be out of date, check the current AEWV fee and processing times on immigration.govt.nz.
AEWV holders can generally support a visitor or work visa for a partner and a visitor or student visa for dependent children, subject to requirements. How this applies to your family is confirmed during your review.
Yes. The AEWV is employer-sponsored: you generally need a full-time offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check before you can apply. Your employer is sent a link to the application.
No. VisaPlex provides general information and an AI-assisted planning workspace. Whether you meet the AEWV requirements is personalised immigration advice provided by a licensed adviser.
Next Step
Talk Through a Work Visa Pathway
Tell us about your job offer or work plans and our licensed adviser will review how the AEWV and related work pathways may apply to your situation.