The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a new temporary work visa being introduced on 4 July 2022. Employers must be accredited to hire migrant workers on an AEWV after 4^th July 2022.

This page contains a quick guide to the process. A more complete guide is available in our member resources, here. Our helpline team are able to support you with the whole process, including supply you with supporting documents, templates and help with setting up any requirements you may need.

There are 3 steps to hiring a migrant on the AEWV. These are:

Employers can apply for accreditation from 10am on 23 May 2022 and for a job check from 20 June 2022.

How can I get accredited?

Employers must meet minimum requirements and commitments to hire migrants on the AEWV. Some business models must meet additional requirements.

All accreditation types have the same minimum requirements, and for most employers, accreditation will be simple and not require a lot of documentation.

For most businesses the accreditation must be held by the direct employer named on the migrant worker’s employment agreement.

For trusts, partnerships and sole traders, the business entity (which has an NZBN) must hold the accreditation, and the employer named on the employment agreement must be one or more of the trustees, partners or the sole trader.

An AEWV holder cannot be self-employed.

Some requirements for becoming accredited:

• Evidence the company hiring the workers is financially viable 
• Commit to settlement support
• Commit to paying all recruitment costs
• Let employees complete learning modules
• Answer questions about your organisation’s compliance with business, employment and immigration rules and regulation, such as having valid employment agreements, job descriptions, HR policy, health and safety,training and more

What is the job check?

Once you are accredited you must get a job check for each job you want to hire a migrant worker for before you can offer the role to a migrant.

The purpose of the job check is to ensure there are no New Zealanders available to do a job and ensure employers are offering attractive wages to New Zealanders, before they look to recruit migrants.

All jobs must:

How does the AEWV application work?

Once an employer has been accredited for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and has an approved job check, the employer can ask the migrant employee to apply for an AEWV.

Applications for the AEWV open on 4 July 2022. The application must be made using the online form on Immigration New Zealand’s website once applications open.

Migrant employees cannot apply for a visa until their employer is accredited and has an approved job check.

The employer will then provide the Migrant employee with a job token with a unique number linking the employee to the specific job they have offered. The token is for one-time use only. Employees must include the token number in their visa application.

Roles exempt from the AEWV median wage threshold

If you want to hire migrants on the Accredited Employer Work Visa and the role is on this list you can pay less than the median wage.

Sector — Tourism and hospitality

These roles are only exempt from paying the median wage threshold until April 2023.