New Zealand AEWV 2026: Accredited Employer Work Visa Step by Step

✓ AEWV fees and median wage NZD $29.66/hour verified April 2026 · All figures from immigration.govt.nz · Last reviewed April 2026 · Median wage reviewed annually — verify before applying · Not legal advice

⚠ Important Disclaimer This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. AEWV fees, the median wage threshold, and Green List occupations are reviewed annually and change without advance notice — always verify current requirements at immigration.govt.nz before submitting any application. All three stages (accreditation, Job Check, and worker visa) must be completed in order. Employers are prohibited from recovering accreditation or Job Check fees from workers. Applicants with complex circumstances should seek advice from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) before applying.

📋 In This Guide

What is the AEWV and how does the three-stage process work?
The three-stage process — who does what at each stage
Stage 1: Employer accreditation
Stage 2: The Job Check
Stage 3: The worker visa application
English language requirement
Fees — all three stages
Processing times 2026
The path from AEWV to permanent residence
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Frequently asked questions

What Is the AEWV and How Does the Three-Stage Process Work?

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's primary employer-supported work visa — it replaced the Essential Skills Work Visa, the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa, and several other employer-supported categories in July 2022. To work in New Zealand under the AEWV, the employer must first be accredited by Immigration New Zealand, the specific job must pass a Job Check, and then the worker applies for the visa — it is a three-stage process and the stages must be completed in order.

Three things are worth knowing before starting. The AEWV is unique because it involves three separate applications — employer accreditation (employer applies), a Job Check (employer applies per role), and the worker visa (worker applies); understanding who is responsible for each stage prevents confusion and costly delays. Workers in Green List Tier 1 occupations can bypass the AEWV entirely and apply directly for permanent residence — checking the Green List first may reveal a faster route. And most AEWV roles must pay at or above the current median wage of NZD $29.66 per hour — confirming this before accepting a job offer prevents a failed Job Check.

📌 New Zealand AEWV — Quick Answer 2026

Stage 1 — Employer Accreditation: Employer applies; NZD $740 (standard) or NZD $1,220 (high volume)
Stage 2 — Job Check: Employer applies per role; NZD $610
Stage 3 — Worker Visa Application: Worker applies; NZD $750
Median wage requirement: Most roles must pay NZD $29.66/hour or above (April 2026)
Duration: Up to 3 years (extendable)
Path to PR: Skilled Migrant Category after 2 years of qualifying work in New Zealand
English language: IELTS 6.5 required — UK, Irish, South African, Australian, Canadian nationals exempt

Source: immigration.govt.nz

This guide covers the complete three-stage AEWV process, employer accreditation types, the Job Check, the worker application, the Green List interaction, fees, processing times, and the path from AEWV to permanent residence. All AEWV requirements, fees, and processing times are verified from immigration.govt.nz — last reviewed April 2026.

The Three-Stage Process — Who Does What at Each Stage

Stage	Who applies	What it achieves	Cost	Processing time
Stage 1 — Employer Accreditation	Employer	INZ recognises the employer as a legitimate business able to employ migrants; valid for 12 months (standard) or 24 months (high volume)	NZD $740 (standard) or NZD $1,220 (high volume)	Approximately 10 working days
Stage 2 — Job Check	Employer	INZ confirms the specific role meets pay and skill requirements and that reasonable local recruitment efforts were made	NZD $610 per role	Approximately 10 working days
Stage 3 — Worker Visa Application	Worker	INZ grants the AEWV allowing the worker to live and work in New Zealand for the named employer	NZD $750 per applicant	Approximately 8–10 weeks

🚨 The Stages Must Be Completed in Order — No Exceptions A worker cannot apply for the AEWV until both employer accreditation AND the Job Check have been approved. An employer without accreditation cannot proceed to the Job Check. A worker who applies before the Job Token is issued will have their application declined with no fee refund. Always confirm Stage 1 and Stage 2 are fully approved before proceeding to Stage 3.

Stage 1: Employer Accreditation

Employer accreditation is Immigration New Zealand's recognition that a business is legitimate, financially stable, and capable of meeting its obligations to migrant workers. Accreditation is not role-specific — once accredited, it applies to all AEWV roles the employer hires for during the accreditation period. Accreditation must be renewed before it lapses — an employer with lapsed accreditation cannot employ AEWV workers until renewal is completed.

Two types of employer accreditation

Type	Who it suits	Fee	Validity	Additional requirements
Standard accreditation	Employers hiring 1–5 AEWV workers at a time	NZD $740	12 months	Business registration; NZ bank account; financial viability evidence
High volume accreditation	Employers hiring 6 or more AEWV workers at a time	NZD $1,220	24 months	All standard requirements plus: track record of employing migrants; enhanced settlement support plan; greater compliance obligations

Employer accreditation eligibility requirements

Business must be registered in New Zealand — sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts can all be accredited if they meet the requirements
Business must have a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
Business must have a New Zealand bank account
Business must demonstrate financial viability — most recent financial statements showing the business can sustain employment
Business must not have been issued a formal warning or penalty by a labour inspectorate within the last 2 years
Business must commit to paying all AEWV workers at or above the median wage (NZD $29.66/hour) — except for roles with approved below-median exemptions
Business must commit to providing settlement support to migrant workers — including information about New Zealand employment rights

Applications are submitted online through the Immigration Online system at immigration.govt.nz. Supporting documents include business registration certificate, financial statements, NZ bank account details, and ownership structure documents. Processing time is approximately 10 working days from a complete application.

Stage 2: The Job Check

The Job Check is an assessment by INZ of a specific job role — it confirms the role meets salary and skill requirements and that the employer made reasonable efforts to recruit locally before looking overseas. Every AEWV role requires its own Job Check. A successful Job Check produces a Job Token — a unique code given to the worker for use in their visa application.

What the Job Check assesses

Assessment criterion	What INZ looks for
Salary meets median wage	Role must pay NZD $29.66/hour or above for most roles; roles below median require specific exemption approval
Role matches a real skill need	Job duties must match a genuine business requirement — INZ assesses whether the role is legitimate
Local recruitment effort	Employer must demonstrate they advertised the role and genuinely considered local candidates — typically 2 weeks of advertising on a minimum of 2 platforms (Seek, Trade Me Jobs, or equivalent)
Employment agreement compliant	The employment agreement offered must meet all New Zealand employment law requirements

Roles exempt from the local recruitment requirement

Roles on the Green List Tier 1 — these occupations are in such critical shortage that no local recruitment advertising is required; processed faster
Some regional roles at the median wage or above — roles in regions with demonstrated skill shortages may be exempt from full advertising
Renewal or variation applications for workers already on an AEWV with the same employer

Job Check item	Detail
Fee	NZD $610 per Job Check
Processing time	Approximately 10 working days from complete application
Job Token validity	6 months from issue — worker must apply for AEWV within this window
Can one Job Check cover multiple workers?	Each worker needs their own Job Token — one Job Check can generate tokens for multiple identical positions

Stage 3: The Worker Visa Application

Worker eligibility requirements

You must have a valid Job Token from your employer's approved Job Check
You must be outside New Zealand when you apply OR already in New Zealand on a lawful visa that permits in-country AEWV applications
You must meet health requirements — a medical examination by an INZ-approved panel physician is required for most applicants
You must meet character requirements — police certificates from every country you have lived in for 5 years or more since turning 17
You must meet English language requirements (if applicable) — see Section 6
You must not be inadmissible to New Zealand due to previous visa violations, criminal history, or other grounds

Documents required — worker application

Valid passport — must be valid for the full duration of the requested visa
Job Token — provided by your employer after the Job Check is approved; enter this in your online application
Signed employment agreement — confirming job title, salary (must exactly match what was approved in the Job Check), hours per week, employment type, and start date
Medical examination results — completed by an INZ-approved panel physician; book after submitting the application or check whether an upfront medical is required for your nationality
Police certificates — from every country lived in for 5 years or more since turning 17
Qualifications and professional registration — evidence of qualifications relevant to the role; professional registration certificate if the role requires registration (registered nurse, engineer, teacher)
Evidence of relevant work experience — reference letters confirming previous employment in the relevant occupation

Applications are submitted online through Immigration Online at immigration.govt.nz. Pay NZD $750 per worker — non-refundable. Log in regularly and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

English Language Requirement

English language ability is required for most AEWV applicants. The standard requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.5, or an approved equivalent test.

Situation	English requirement
UK, Irish, Australian, Canadian, South African nationals	Exempt — no English test required
Green List Tier 1 role with salary at or above Tier 1 threshold	English test may be waived — verify at immigration.govt.nz
Role requiring professional registration (nursing, medicine)	English assessed as part of professional registration — separate IELTS may not be required
Worker already in NZ on AEWV and renewing	May be exempt from re-proving English if previously assessed
All other cases	IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.5 or approved equivalent

Fees — All Three Stages 2026

Stage	Fee	Paid by	Notes
Stage 1 — Employer Accreditation (standard)	NZD $740	Employer	Per accreditation; valid 12 months
Stage 1 — Employer Accreditation (high volume)	NZD $1,220	Employer	Per accreditation; valid 24 months
Stage 2 — Job Check	NZD $610	Employer	Per role — not per worker
Stage 3 — Worker Visa Application	NZD $750	Worker	Per worker — non-refundable
Dependent child (each)	NZD $300	Worker	Per child included in application
Medical examination	NZD $200–$400	Worker	If required — cost varies by provider
Total — employer (standard accreditation + 1 Job Check)	NZD $1,350	Employer	Standard accreditation + one Job Check
Total — worker (visa + medical + police)	Approximately NZD $1,100–$1,200	Worker	Approximate total including ancillary costs

⚠ Employers Are Prohibited From Recovering Accreditation or Job Check Fees From Workers Charging workers for the accreditation fee, the Job Check fee, or any other employer immigration cost is prohibited. All fees verified from immigration.govt.nz, April 2026. Fees are reviewed annually — always verify current amounts before paying.

Processing Times 2026

Stage	Processing time	Notes
Stage 1 — Employer Accreditation	Approximately 10 working days	From complete application; faster for renewals
Stage 2 — Job Check	Approximately 10 working days	From complete application; Green List Tier 1 roles may process faster
Stage 3 — Worker Visa Application	Approximately 8–10 weeks	Varies by nationality and medical requirements; upfront medicals reduce delays
Total end-to-end timeline	Approximately 14–18 weeks	From employer starting accreditation to worker receiving visa

⚠ Job Token Expiry — Monitor Carefully The Job Token from Stage 2 is valid for 6 months. If circumstances cause delays and the token expires before the worker submits their visa application, the employer must complete a new Job Check at a cost of NZD $610. Monitor the Job Token expiry date from the moment it is issued.

The Path From AEWV to Permanent Residence

The AEWV is a temporary visa — it does not grant permanent residence directly. After working in New Zealand for 2 years on an AEWV in a skilled role at or above the median wage, workers become eligible to apply for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) resident visa.

AEWV to SMC item	Detail
Minimum AEWV work experience before SMC eligibility	2 years of skilled employment in New Zealand
SMC points from AEWV employment	160 points (current skilled employment at or above median wage)
SMC points from 2 years NZ work experience	30 additional points — total 190+ with qualifications; above the 180-point minimum
SMC application fee	NZD $4,240
SMC processing time	12–18 months from EOI to resident visa

📌 Green List Tier 1 — Straight-to-Residence Shortcut Workers in Green List Tier 1 occupations with a job offer meeting the required salary threshold can apply directly for an SMC resident visa — bypassing the AEWV and the 2-year wait entirely. Check the current Green List at immigration.govt.nz/green-list before applying for an AEWV. If your occupation is on Tier 1 at the required salary, this could save years off your path to New Zealand PR.

For the complete Skilled Migrant Category guide including the full points breakdown, EOI process, and all eligibility requirements — see our New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa 2026 guide.

Common Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them

Mistake	How to avoid it
Worker applies before the Job Check is approved	The three stages must be completed in order. A worker application submitted before the Job Token is issued is declined with no fee refund. Confirm both Stage 1 and Stage 2 are fully approved before submitting Stage 3.
Job Token expires before worker submits application	The Job Token is valid for 6 months. Monitor the expiry date from day one — if it expires, the employer must complete a new Job Check at NZD $610. Do not delay the worker application after the Job Token is issued.
Employment agreement salary does not match Job Check salary	The salary in the signed employment agreement must exactly match the salary approved in the Job Check. Any discrepancy results in the visa being declined. Review both documents carefully before the worker submits Stage 3.
Employer accreditation lapses during the worker's AEWV period	Employers must track their accreditation renewal date and renew before expiry. A lapsed accreditation during the worker's visa period may affect the worker's visa conditions. Set calendar reminders at 2 months and 1 month before the accreditation renewal date.
Worker changes employers without a new AEWV	The AEWV is employer-specific. Changing employers requires the new employer to obtain accreditation and complete a Job Check, and the worker to apply for a new AEWV. Working for a non-accredited employer or without a new visa is a conditions breach.
Below-median salary accepted without checking exemption eligibility	Most roles must pay NZD $29.66/hour or above. Accepting a below-median role without verifying exemption eligibility means the Job Check will fail. Confirm your salary against the current median wage at immigration.govt.nz before accepting any job offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — the AEWV is employer-specific and tied to the employer named in your visa. If you change employers, your new employer must obtain accreditation and complete a Job Check, and you must apply for and receive a new AEWV before starting with the new employer. Working for a different employer before receiving a new AEWV is a visa conditions breach. Source: immigration.govt.nz.

Yes — your partner and dependent children under 24 can accompany you. Your partner can apply for a work visa allowing them to work in New Zealand. Dependent children can attend school. Each dependant pays a separate visa fee (NZD $300 per child) and must meet health and character requirements. Source: immigration.govt.nz.

The AEWV is typically granted for up to 3 years — the exact duration depends on the length of your employment agreement and the Job Check approval. The visa can be extended if you continue working for the same accredited employer in the same role and the employer renews the Job Check before the current one expires. Source: immigration.govt.nz.

Most applicants must demonstrate English at IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.5 or an approved equivalent. Nationals of the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and South Africa are automatically exempt. Workers in Green List occupations where English is assessed through professional registration (such as registered nurses) may also be exempt from a separate IELTS test. Source: immigration.govt.nz.

Yes — if you are already in New Zealand on a lawful visa that permits in-country AEWV applications, you can apply without leaving. Check whether your current visa type allows in-country applications at immigration.govt.nz. If your current visa does not permit this, you may need to depart New Zealand and apply from offshore.

The Essential Skills Work Visa was replaced by the AEWV in July 2022. The key differences are: the AEWV requires the employer to be formally accredited (the old ESW did not), the Job Check is more structured than the old skills match, and the median wage requirement is more strictly enforced. If you held an Essential Skills Work Visa before July 2022, that visa remains valid until its expiry date but renewal must be through the AEWV system.

Not directly — the AEWV is temporary and does not grant permanent residence. The pathway is: AEWV → Skilled Migrant Category resident visa (after 2 years of qualifying work) → Permanent Resident Visa (after 2 years on the resident visa) → New Zealand citizenship (after meeting the 1,350-day physical presence requirement). Total time from starting AEWV to citizenship eligibility is typically 7–10 years.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Three things to carry forward. The AEWV is a three-stage process — employer accreditation, Job Check, and worker application must be completed in order; a worker who applies before the Job Token is issued will be declined with no fee refund. The median wage of NZD $29.66/hour applies to most roles — confirm your salary meets this before accepting any job offer or before the Job Check stage. And the AEWV leads to Skilled Migrant Category permanent residence after 2 years of qualifying work — making it a genuine long-term immigration pathway.

Before applying for an AEWV, check whether your occupation appears on the Green List — Tier 1 occupations can apply directly for permanent residence, bypassing the AEWV and the 2-year wait entirely. This could save years off your path to New Zealand PR.

All AEWV requirements, fees, and processing times are verified from immigration.govt.nz — April 2026. The median wage threshold and Green List occupations are reviewed annually — always verify before applying.

🏛 Official Sources Used in This Guide

immigration.govt.nz — AEWV Overview immigration.govt.nz — Employer Accreditation immigration.govt.nz — Job Check immigration.govt.nz — Green List Occupations immigration.govt.nz — Current Median Wage immigration.govt.nz — Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa immigration.govt.nz — Visa Processing Times iaa.govt.nz — Find a Licensed Immigration Adviser