NZ Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) lets you work in New Zealand. You need an offer of full-time work from an accredited employer that has an approved job check for your job, and you can stay for up to 5 years for most jobs, or 3 years for ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs. Based on the official Immigration New Zealand page, retrieved 2026-10-11.
How long you can stay
The total amount of time you can stay in New Zealand (your maximum continuous stay) on one or more Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWVs) depends on:
- when you applied for your first AEWV;
- the skill level of your job on the ANZSCO list, or the National Occupation List (NOL) list; and
- how much you are paid.
The total amount of time you can stay in New Zealand can be 5 years for most jobs, or 3 years if your job is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5. If the length of your visa is less than your maximum continuous stay, you can apply for further AEWVs to stay for that maximum time. When you have stayed for as long as you can, you must leave the country for a period of time before you can come back on another AEWV. Immigration New Zealand provides an online tool to work out your maximum continuous stay.
The full-time job offer
You must have an offer of full-time work from an accredited employer. Your job offer must be:
- current at the time you apply for your visa;
- for at least 30 hours of work a week;
- from an employer who is accredited to hire migrants for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and has an approved job check for your job;
- paid at least the required wage rate for your job.
Your job offer cannot be for planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops in the horticulture or viticulture industries, for foreign crew of fishing vessels, or for self-employed work — you must apply for a different work visa for those jobs.
Employer accreditation and the job check
Two employer-side requirements sit behind the offer: the employer must be accredited to hire migrants for the AEWV, and must have an approved job check for your specific job. Immigration New Zealand publishes an accredited employer list, and employers can be placed on an immigration stand-down list. Your employment agreement must be with an accredited employer who has a history of compliance with immigration and employment law. You must include a copy of the employment agreement and job description, and a signed copy of the job offer, with your application.
Skill requirements
You must meet the AEWV minimum skill requirements. You must have either 2 years or more of relevant job experience, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). Your qualification or experience must be in the same field as the job offered — unless you hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, in which case your qualification can be in any field. If your job is ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 to 5, you must show that you can speak and understand English.
Wage rates
Your job must be paid at least the required wage rate for it. The applicable rate is not fixed on this page — Immigration New Zealand publishes the current figures on its wage rates for work visas page and a separate page covering sector agreements and wage exemptions, both linked from the official AEWV page. Check the current rate before you apply.
Related
Prepare the paperwork with the NZ Accredited Employer Work Visa checklist. If you have recently finished studying in New Zealand, see the NZ Post-Study Work Visa requirements. For the photo side, see the NZ passport photo page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa?
It is a New Zealand work visa for which you need an offer of full-time work from an accredited employer that has an approved job check for your job.
How long can I stay on an AEWV?
The total amount of time you can stay in New Zealand can be 5 years for most jobs, or 3 years if your job is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5.
What are the job offer requirements?
Your offer must be current when you apply, for at least 30 hours of work a week, from an accredited employer with an approved job check for your job, and paid at least the required wage rate.
What are the minimum skill requirements for an AEWV?
You must have either 2 years or more of relevant job experience, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the NZQCF, in the same field as the job offered.
Does my employer need accreditation?
Yes. Your employer must be accredited to hire migrants for the AEWV and must have an approved job check for your job.
What jobs cannot be offered for an AEWV?
A job offer cannot be for horticulture or viticulture crop work, foreign crew of fishing vessels, or self-employed work - you must apply for a different work visa for those jobs.
Source: Immigration New Zealand, “Accredited Employer Work Visa” (immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa/), retrieved 2026-10-11. Rules and wage rates change, so confirm the current position before you apply.