What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa?

The AEWV is New Zealand's main temporary work visa for people with a job offer from an INZ accredited employer. It was introduced on 4 July 2022, a stable, well documented launch date, and replaced several older employer sponsored work visa categories. It runs through three steps: employer accreditation, a Job Check for the specific role, and the worker's own AEWV application. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Accredited Employer Work Visa launch.

Do I need a job offer to apply for the AEWV?

Yes. The AEWV requires a genuine job offer from a New Zealand employer that holds, or is applying for, INZ accreditation. Unlike some residence categories, there is no points-based or self-petition version of the AEWV.

Has the median wage requirement for the AEWV been removed?

For most roles, yes. From 10 March 2025, Immigration New Zealand removed the blanket requirement to pay at least the median wage. The main statutory pay floor now is New Zealand's minimum wage, reported at around NZD 23.50 an hour, plus a market rate requirement. The median wage still matters as a reference figure for maximum continuous stay and partner work rights, but it is no longer the general pay floor. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa from March 2025. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much does the AEWV cost?

Costs are illustrative and split across the three steps. Employer accreditation is around NZD 775 for standard, NZD 1,280 for high-volume, or NZD 4,060 for triangular accreditation. The Job Check fee is around NZD 735. The worker's own application and levy are reported at around NZD 480 plus a NZD 1,060 immigration levy, for a combined NZD 1,540. These figures have not all been independently verified against a single current INZ fee page, so confirm the exact current amounts before budgeting. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Employer accreditation fees, Job Check fees, and AEWV visa fees and Immigration Levy. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long can I stay in New Zealand on an AEWV?

There is a maximum continuous stay (MCS) limit. A 5 year limit applies if your role is ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3, or your pay is at least around NZD 52.50 an hour, or it is a Green List role, or it meets certain Transport or Care sector pay thresholds. A 3 year limit applies to other ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 roles. The limit is cumulative across all your AEWVs, not reset with each new visa. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Maximum continuous stay for AEWV holders. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What happens once I reach my maximum continuous stay?

Once you reach your maximum continuous stay limit, you generally need to leave New Zealand for 12 months before you can hold another regular AEWV. Shorter stand-down periods of around 3 to 4 months apply to seasonal work visa categories instead, which are a separate case. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Maximum continuous stay rules. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can my partner work in New Zealand while I am on an AEWV?

It depends on your pay and role. Your partner generally gets open work rights if you earn at least around 150% of the median wage, or your role meets the Green List threshold, or it is a Transport or Care sector role paying at least around 80% of the median wage. Below those thresholds, your partner generally does not get open work rights and would need a separate visa basis. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Partner of an Accredited Employer Work Visa holder work rights. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Does the AEWV lead to residence in New Zealand?

Not by itself. The AEWV is a temporary work visa. Most AEWV holders build toward residence through the points-based Skilled Migrant Category, where AEWV employment and pay feed into your points, or through a Green List occupation that offers a faster Straight to Residence or fast-tracked SMC route. A significant Skilled Migrant Category overhaul is due to take effect 24 August 2026. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Skilled Migrant Category changes from August 2026. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Are AEWV sector agreements still active?

Not in their old form. Historic sector agreements covering care workforce, construction and infrastructure, meat processing, seafood processing, tourism, and transport used to allow a wage exemption below the median wage. That function ended on 10 March 2025 when the general median wage requirement itself was removed. A narrower skill requirement exemption may still apply to some roles in meat processing, seafood processing, care workforce, and tourism and hospitality. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Changes to sector agreements from March 2025. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does an AEWV application take to process?

Processing for the worker's AEWV application is reported at around 25 to 35 working days, based on secondary reporting rather than a figure we could confirm on a single current INZ processing time page. Treat that as a planning guide and check the live INZ processing times before relying on a date. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), current visa processing times. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What is the New Zealand Green List, and how does it relate to the AEWV?

The Green List names specific high demand occupations. Tier 1 Green List occupations with a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer can go Straight to Residence without going through the AEWV and SMC points process at all. Tier 2 Green List occupations get a fast-tracked route into SMC after a qualifying period of New Zealand work on an AEWV or similar visa. Official source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Green List occupations and residence pathways. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

The New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's main temporary work visa for people with a job offer from an INZ accredited employer. From 10 March 2025, Immigration New Zealand removed the blanket requirement to pay the median wage for most roles, which changed the visa significantly. A lot of guidance still online describes the old rules, so this page focuses on how the AEWV works today.

Who it is for

Non-New Zealand and non-Australian citizens or residents with a genuine job offer; Roles at any skill level, from entry level through highly skilled; Workers whose employer holds, or is willing to apply for, INZ accreditation; People planning a temporary stay, since the AEWV itself is not a residence visa; Anyone weighing the AEWV against the Green List Straight to Residence pathway for specific high demand occupations.

How eMigr8 helps

eMigr8 gives you coaching and guidance to understand how the AEWV works and how it might fit your plans. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation. Fees, wage thresholds, and processing times change and are illustrative here, so always confirm the current position with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) or a licensed immigration adviser before you or your employer rely on any figure.