New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa

People with a full-time job offer from an AEWV-accredited New Zealand employer whose job has an approved job check. ([immigration.govt.nz](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa))

• Approved job offer

  Have a current offer of full-time work from an AEWV-accredited employer with an approved job check for the job. The offer must be for at least 30 hours a week.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Pay for the job

  The job offer must pay at least the New Zealand market rate for the job and meet other legal wage requirements. The guidance does not give one fixed AEWV pay threshold.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Eligible type of work

  The offer cannot be for planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops in horticulture or viticulture, foreign crew of fishing vessels, or self-employed work.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Experience or qualification

  Have at least 2 years of relevant job experience, equivalent to full-time work, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. Experience or a qualification must be in the job’s field or industry, except that a bachelor’s degree or higher can be in any field. The guidance lists circumstances in which additional evidence of this minimum is not needed.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Skills for the role

  Meet any requirements associated with the job’s ANZSCO or recognised NOL occupation and skill level, and show you have the skills and experience the employer requires.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Qualification assessment

  If relying on a qualification below bachelor’s degree level from outside New Zealand, provide an International Qualification Assessment to check whether it is comparable with a New Zealand level 4 qualification or higher.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Professional registration

  If the job requires occupational registration in New Zealand, provide evidence of full or provisional New Zealand registration, or confirmation from the appropriate registration body that the job is eligible for registration.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• English for skill levels 3–5

  For an ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3, 4 or 5 job, show you can speak and understand English, unless an exemption applies. One option is an in-person test taken no more than 2 years before applying: IELTS overall 4 or more, TOEFL iBT overall 31 or more, PTE Academic overall 29 or more, B2 First or B2 First for Schools overall 142 or more, or OET grade D or higher in all four skills. The guidance also sets citizenship, work and study routes to meeting this requirement. Skill level 1 and 2 jobs have no English-language requirement.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Break after maximum stay

  If you have reached the total time allowed on one or more regular AEWVs, you normally must spend at least 12 consecutive months outside New Zealand before another regular AEWV; the guidance describes an exception for some people moving to a higher-skilled job.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Good health

  Be in good health. A chest X-ray is required for a stay of more than 6 months if you are a citizen of a country without a low incidence of tuberculosis, or have spent more than 3 months in such a country in the last 5 years; the guidance also specifies when a new X-ray is needed.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Good character

  Be of good character. If you are at least 17 and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, provide police certificates less than 6 months old from countries of citizenship and countries where you have spent more than 5 years since turning 17, unless the stated previous-certificate exception applies.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Genuine intentions

  Genuinely intend to meet the conditions of the visa.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Valid identity document

  Provide a passport or certificate of identity valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand, and one acceptable photo.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• Apply without dependants

  You cannot include a partner or dependent children in your AEWV application; they may be eligible for separate visas.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource

• AEWV application fee; the Fees Guide lists an offshore work-visa fee waiver for Mexican citizensimmigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource$480 once
• Immigration levy, in addition to the application fee; the Fees Guide lists an offshore work-visa fee and levy waiver for Mexican citizensimmigration.govt.nz · checked 6 minutes agoSource$1,060 once

1. Get ready

   • Get an approved full-time offer

     Get a job offer, job description, employment agreement and application link from an accredited employer approved to hire a migrant for the job.

     You’ll need: Job offer, Job description, Employment agreement, Application link

   • Check the job and your skills

     Check the occupation’s skill level and gather evidence that you meet the visa’s and employer’s experience, qualification and registration requirements.

     You’ll need: Employment records or qualifications, International Qualification Assessment, if required, Occupational registration evidence, if required

   • Gather identity and other evidence

     Prepare your identity document and photo, and any required English-language, police, medical or chest X-ray evidence and translations.

     You’ll need: Passport or certificate of identity, Photo, English-language evidence, if required, Police certificate, if required, Medical or chest X-ray evidence, if required, Translations, if required

2. Apply

   • Apply online and pay

     Accept the employer’s application request, complete the online form, upload your documents and pay the applicable fee and levy.

     You’ll need: Signed job offer, Employment agreement, Job description, Supporting evidence

   • Respond to any requests

     While Immigration New Zealand assesses your application, provide more information or arrange a medical examination if it asks you to.

     You’ll need: Additional evidence, if requested

3. Visa

   • Check the decision and eVisa

     Check your application status online and, if approved, read the eVisa sent to you by email.

     You’ll need: eVisa, if approved

4. Travel

   • Complete your traveller declaration

     1 day before you go

     If travelling by air, submit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration from 24 hours before your journey begins.

     You’ll need: New Zealand Traveller Declaration

5. Settle in

   • Follow your visa conditions

     When you arrive

     On arrival, be ready to show evidence of your job offer if asked, and work only in the job, for the employer and at the location stated on your visa.

     You’ll need: Job offer, eVisa

You may be able to apply for a resident visa, depending on your job; residence is not automatic. ([immigration.govt.nz](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa))

• English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• INZ 1028 Fees Guideimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• Accredited Employer Work Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• Work visa wage rates :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• How long you can stay on an AEWV :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• Employer accreditation, job check and AEWV wait times :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.