Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): Latest Guide for 2025

Navigating New Zealand’s immigration framework has always been a priority for employers and skilled workers. With so few skilled workers available, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) provides a vital bridge to fill this skill gap and facilitate access to aspirational international talent to help New Zealand grow economically. A recent reform, effective in 2025, marks a big difference from before in the Accredited Employer Work Visa AEWV accessibility and benefits. If you want to immigrate and work in New Zealand, understanding these are necessary.

Benefits of the Accredited Employer Work Visa

1. Streamlined Recruitment Process: It gives employers direct access to a simple system that helps quickly onboard skilled workers.

2. Greater Job Security for Migrants: This means longer visa durations of up to three years enable visa holders to achieve a state of stability and tranquillity.

3. Expanded Opportunities: The removal of the median wage requirement and experience criteria opens the way for more roles and access for migrants.

4. Support for Seasonal Industries: It provides new pathways to help address workforce shortages in agriculture and other seasonal sector as well.

5. Pathway to Residency: The Accredited Employer Work Visa AEWV is a gateway for migrants who aim to get permanent residency in New Zealand.

Also Read: Unskilled Jobs in New Zealand for Indian Workers

Understanding the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Accredited Employer Work Visa AEVW is a flagship visa that enables New Zealand employers to attract overseas skilled workers more easily. Especially in industries with skill shortages, it is a simple mechanism by which businesses can fill critical positions.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa changes, integrates, and simplifies several older work visa categories. Employers take centre stage in the application process as they bridge the gap between the colourblind job market's wants and the migrants’ innate talents. The process of overseas recruitment is balanced with domestic labour market demands through this employer-led process.

Key Features of the AEWV

1. Employer-led process: The application is initiated by the employer to match it with the demand of the job market.

2. Three-step system:  The new accredited employer work visa changes involve employer accreditation, the check on the job and the migrant’s visa.

3. Consolidation of visas: All stakeholders have a simpler system to replace six prior visa categories.

Recent Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa

In December 2024, the New Zealand government announced dozens of accredited employer work visa changes that are due to be rolled out during 2025. Drawn from these changes are efforts to make the visa more flexible and inclusive as the labour market changes.

1. Removal of Median Wage Requirement

Previously, a median wage threshold had to be met, which barred workers for jobs below that level from the AEWV.  But now, in the new accredited employer work visa changes, this has been removed to enable employers to hire people to fill roles that don’t have to be at a certain wage level, as long as the position is critical to the business. It will be particularly helpful to industries whose average wages are lower, such as hospitality or caregiving.

2. Reduced Experience Requirements

The new accredited employer work visa changes bring in new criteria that lower the requirement for work experience from three to two years. It’s particularly useful for young people and those working in industries that change quickly, where shorter work experience continues to equate to a great amount of knowledge and expertise.

3. Introduction of Seasonal Visa Pathways

Seasonal visa pathways ensure that industries such as agriculture and horticulture, as well as tourism, can access the workforce when required. These new pathways from land to labour allow businesses to hire skilled workers during peak seasons to help ensure productivity and economic growth.

4. Job Check Process Redesign

In July 2025, the job check process will be overhauled, which verifies employment if the employer has committed to searching for local talent before recruiting overseas. It is expected to facilitate compliance and remove bureaucratic burdens for employers.

5. Extended Visa Duration

Visa limits for roles in ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 were previously shorter. Now, they are up to three years. The extension provides more security for migrants and fewer renewal applications.

Also Read: New Zealand Truck Driver Salary: Expert Insights & Tips

Accredited Employer Work Visa Eligibility

The AEWV eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that employers and migrants meet minimum requirements for program integrity. Key points include:

• Candidates must be older than 18 years.

• Employers must be accredited.

• The framework will enable a confirmed job offer related to the AEWV.

• Relevant qualifications, skills, and a clean health and character record are required of migrants.

AEWV Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a structured process involving three crucial steps: a job check, a job with employer accreditation and the migrant’s visa application. They all have an important part, to make sure there's transparency and compliance and that it’s according to New Zealand’s immigration policies.

Step 1: Employer Accreditation

The first and most important step in the AEWV process is to be employer-accredited. It proves the employer is a good, financially stable business that complies with New Zealand’s employment standards.

1. Purpose of Accreditation: Accreditation guarantees that employers want fair labour practices, such as decent wages and safe working environments for overseas workers.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Employers:

• Employers should be financially stable and operationally sound.
• They have to follow New Zealand’s labour rules, pay minimum wages, and work under employment contracts. Employers must also not be in the history of employment law breaches nor of any legal disputes with the exploitation of workers.

3. Application Process for Accreditation:

• Fill in an online Immigration New Zealand application form.
• All documents must be well documented and without errors, including the financial records, the proof of legal compliance and the employee support plan.
• Depending on the size of the organization, you pay the required accreditation fee.

4. Validity and Renewal: Initial employer accreditation is provided for 12 months, and individuals are required to be re-accredited annually for compliance with overseas workers' hiring requirements.

Step 2: Job Check

The job check step ensures that employers have even made some genuine attempts to recruit locally before they go overseas. It is necessary to protect domestic workers' safety and local employment.

1. Purpose of the Job Check: A job check is made to see that an overseas worker cannot be offered a position that can be filled by an available local candidate, thus excluding something which would otherwise not happen and hiring from abroad undermines local employment opportunities.

2. Requirements for Job Check Approval:

• Job Advertisement: Employers must place a description of the position, including pay, conditions, qualifications, etc., on recognised job platforms for a given period.
• Labor Market Test: Employers have to prove that there were no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents for the position.
• Employment Standards: Employment conditions must be in accord with New Zealand labour laws, and the job offered must comply with industry wage standards.

3. Exemptions from Job Check: Certain occupations are to be exempted from the requirement of a job check, namely as on the Green List (high-demand occupations) or recognised labour market shortages.

Step 3: Visa Application

The migrant can now apply for AEWV once the employer has been accredited and received approval for job checks. In this step, we’re looking at whether or not the applicant is qualified, has the skills, and is a good match for the job itself.

1. Documents Required for Visa Application:

• A copy of the job check approval, as well as a valid job offer from an accredited employer, is required.
• Qualifications that meet the job requirements in the form of proof, certification or professional experience.
• These include medical examination reports to confirm good health and character, along with personal documentation such as a passport and police clearance certificates, among others.

2. Application Process for Migrants:

• Immigration New Zealand’s website must be used to submit the visa application, and it must be accompanied by all required documents as per the instructions.
• Depending on the role and duration of the visa, you will pay the applicable visa fee.
• You will wait to receive a decision, which commonly takes 20–30 business days, but processing times can vary depending on application volume and complexity.

3. Outcomes of Visa Application:

• Approval: They receive the AEWV and are permitted to come to and work in New Zealand.
• Request for More Information: Immigration New Zealand may ask for more documents or clarification if the application is not quite complete or not very clear.
• Rejection: If the applications do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, or if the information does not match or if they do not have sufficient documentation to qualify.

Also Read: Nursing Jobs in New Zealand: Latest Experts Job Guide

Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa Processing Time

The average application processing time for AEWV applications is 20 to 30 business days. However, this may vary based on several factors, including:

• The ability of the application to be accurate and complete.

• Applications are received at peak times.

• The complexity of the migrant and role quality.

Factors Affecting Processing Times

• Completeness of application: Delays are caused by incomplete submissions.

• Volume of applications: The demand can drive the process time length.

• Case complexity: Additional checks might be required for certain roles or applicants.

Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa vs. AEWV

The Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa (TAEWV) was replaced with the AEWV and was an earlier visa category disbanded with the appearance of this visa category. Comparing the two highlights the advancements made in the current system:

Challenges and Considerations for an Accredited Employer Work Visa

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has many benefits but, as with any visa, requires applicants and employers to consider certain aspects for it to be a smooth application in addition to an even smoother work experience.

1. Documentation Errors or Omissions

Documentation can be incomplete, inaccurate or too general if it results in delays or rejection of applications. Proof of qualifications might come up missing, or the job details might be incorrect, or health and character certifications might simply not be complete.

2. Navigating the Updated Job Check Process

As the job check process rolls out with redesigned guidelines and compliance requirements beginning in 2025, employers may feel a bit thrown off by how to apply the new rules, potentially slowing their hiring process.

3. Ensuring Employer Accreditation Remains Valid

Annual accreditation is required of employers. If an employer can’t or doesn’t maintain compliance or financial stability, their accreditation could be lost — this could also affect what employees’ visa status looks like.

4. Adapting to Changing Immigration Policies:

Both applicants and employers should be familiar with changing immigration policies and the underlying requirements, including wage criteria or eligibility changes, whenever they revise periodically.

5. Higher Competition for Visa Slots

Because they’ve removed the requirement for median wage and lowered the experience requirements, the AEWV may draw more applicants, decreasing competition and possibly causing a change in processing times.

6. Costs Involved

There are several costs incurred by the AEWV process, including accreditation fees charged to the employer, ad bills, and visa application. For smaller businesses or individual applicants, these costs can grow to be unnecessary.

7. Limited Job Mobility for Migrants

Migrants on an AEWV are bound to their sponsored length of stay by their accredited employer. Because of all the complexity and uncertainty, it adds to the change of employers' processes as you need to redo your job check and visa amendment.

8. Compliance with Employment Standards:

New Zealand’s labour laws require consistent adherence by employers to fair wages and safe working conditions. It can mean penalties and impact their accreditation status.

Also Read: Visa Sponsorship Jobs in New Zealand: Latest Experts Guide

Future Outlook for the AEWV

The year 2025 will be a turning point for the AEWV, possibly leading to even better accessibility and efficiency in later years. Additional seasonal pathways will also be brought, and technological progress will make it simpler to apply.

Conclusion

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is a key element of New Zealand’s immigration policy and provides a practical means for skilled migrants and a workable answer for employers who are struggling with skill shortages. Staying informed of how the changes are playing out can be used to leverage this opportunity to benefit both employers and migrants.

To secure your Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand and kickstart your career, contact TerraTern. With our expertise and dedicated team, we'll guide you through the process for a successful career journey in New Zealand!