How to Apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main work visa for non-citizens coming to New Zealand to work for a New Zealand employer. If you have been offered a job by a New Zealand employer, this is the visa you will most likely apply for.
This guide walks through the application from a candidate's perspective, including what your employer needs to do first, what you need to gather, the actual online application, fees, processing times, and what happens after the visa is granted.
Quick answer
To apply for an AEWV you need a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer for an approved role at acceptable pay, plus identity, health, character and (for some jobs) English language evidence. The application fee is from NZD $1,540 and Immigration New Zealand processes 80 percent of applications within 6 weeks. You can stay up to 5 years for ANZSCO skill level 1-3 jobs or 3 years for skill level 4-5 jobs.
Before you apply: the three things that must already be in place
The AEWV is an employer-led visa. The work happens BEFORE you can lodge your application:
- Your employer must be accredited. Only accredited employers can hire AEWV workers. Most established New Zealand employers are accredited; many small businesses are not. Ask before you accept any offer.
- If an employer is accredited, the role must be advertised and pass the Job Check (unless it is a Green List role and the candidate will meet the qualification and experience requirements). The advertisement must run for at least 14 calendar days for ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 roles, or at least 21 days for skill level 4 or 5 roles (plus engagement with Work and Income for skill 4-5). Your employer then applies to Immigration New Zealand for a Job Check on that specific role with evidence of advertisement and the result (showing no NZ citizen or resident was found suitable). Once approved, the Job Check / job token is valid for 6 months.
- The employer sends you a unique application link. Once the Job Check is approved, your employer receives a "job token" and sends you a unique link to start your application. Without this link, you cannot apply.
If any of these three are missing, you are not yet ready to apply. The most common reason applications stall before they begin is a non-accredited employer or an unapproved Job Check.
The 5 steps of the AEWV application
The 5 steps of an AEWV application
| Step | What happens | You do | Typical time |
|---|
| 1. Receive your application link from the employer | Employer sends you a unique link with the approved job token | Confirm the role, pay, and contract details match what you discussed | Within 6 months after Job Check approval |
| 2. Gather your evidence | Compile identity, qualifications, work history, health, character documents | Book medical with an INZ-approved panel doctor; request police certificates from the relevant passport offices; provide all genuine and verifiable qualification and work-experience letters to meet the immigration skills threshold, the Job Check requirement, and the English requirement (if Skill level 4 or 5 role) | 4-8 weeks (police certificates often the bottleneck) |
| 3. Complete the online application | Fill in the online form via your unique link | Upload all documents, declare any past visa or character issues, pay the fee | 2-4 hours of online time once documents are ready |
| 4. Immigration New Zealand processes the application | INZ assesses, may request additional information | Respond to any requests for further evidence promptly | Benchmark 80% within 6 weeks; 8-10 weeks realistic |
| 5. Receive your eVisa | Email confirmation with the eVisa attached | Plan travel; if outside NZ, you can travel from your visa start date | Once approved |
Documents you will need
Most AEWV declines come from incomplete or contradictory documents. Gather everything before you start the online form. The required set:
Documents required for an AEWV application
| Category | Documents |
|---|
| Identity | Passport (current, with at least 6 months validity beyond stay); recent passport-size photograph (digital, INZ specifications) |
| Job | Signed offer of employment from accredited employer; approved Job Check token (provided by employer); detailed job description matching the Job Check role; evidence of pay rate (salary letter or contract) |
| Qualifications | Formal qualification certificates relevant to the role; NZQA assessment if required (most professional roles need this). Note: from 23 June 2025, qualifications from IIT and IISER are on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) - no NZQA assessment needed. |
| Work history | Resume / CV; reference letters from past employers (recommended for senior roles); evidence of relevant experience as required by occupation such as PF records, salary bank statements, payslips, and employment agreements with job description or experience letters |
| Health | Completed eMedical certificate from INZ-approved panel doctor (some applicants exempt); chest X-ray report. Health certificates valid 36 months across multiple visa applications. |
| Character | Police certificates are required for every country you are a citizen of, and every country you have lived in for 5 years or more since you turned 17. Note: from 8 December 2025, the actual certificate is required at lodgement - a receipt is no longer accepted (limited exceptions: Fiji, Hong Kong, Israel). Declaration of any past visa declines, immigration breaches, criminal matters. |
| English language (only if required) | IELTS (overall band 4.0+) or PTE Academic (overall 29+) or TOEFL iBT (overall 31+) or Cambridge English at equivalent level. OR passport from English-majority country (UK, IE, US, CA, AU, ZA). OR 5+ years recognised employment in English-speaking country. OR recognised qualification taught in English. Required only for ANZSCO skill level 4-5 roles, not most senior or skilled professional roles. |
Supporting family on an AEWV
- Skill level 4 or 5 role applicants cannot support their partner and dependent children unless they are in an aged-care sector agreement (work-to-residence) role, or another occupation eligible for residence in Skill level 4-5.
- Skill level 1, 2, or 3 applicants can support a partner work visa provided they earn at least 80% of the current median wage.
- To support a Dependent Child Student Visa or Child of a Worker Visitor Visa, the AEWV holder must earn at least NZD $58,240 per year.
What it costs
The AEWV is one of New Zealand's pricier work visas. Plan for the full hard cost, not just the application fee:
AEWV hard costs (NZD, per applicant, 2026 rates - confirm at immigration.govt.nz)
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| AEWV application fee | From NZD $1,540 (varies by application channel and applicant type) |
| Immigration levy | Included in or paid alongside application fee depending on category |
| Medical and chest X-ray (panel doctor) | NZD $300 - $500 typically, varies by country and clinic |
| Police certificates | Free to NZD $100 per country, depending on issuing authority. May need 2-3 certificates for multi-country history. |
| NZQA qualifications assessment (if required) | NZD $400 - $750. Not needed if qualification on the LQEA. |
| English language test (if required for ANZSCO 4-5) | IELTS / PTE typically NZD $400 - $500 |
| Typical total hard cost | NZD $2,200 - $3,000 per applicant (add NZD $1,000 - $1,500 per partner or dependent child) |
How long it takes
Immigration New Zealand publishes weekly processing benchmarks. The most recent published benchmark for AEWV applications:
- 80 percent of AEWV applications are decided within 6 weeks of being submitted complete
Times can stretch significantly if:
- Your application is submitted incomplete (missing documents, unclear evidence)
- You are subject to additional health or character checks
- Your job is in a high-risk industry or low-skill occupation that triggers extra scrutiny
- You are from a country where INZ requests additional verification
A good rule of thumb: budget 8-10 weeks from job offer to visa-in-hand for a clean, well-prepared application. Budget 12-16 weeks if anything is unusual about your case.
English language requirement
This is one of the most-asked questions about the AEWV.
You do NOT need to provide an English test result if your job is at ANZSCO skill level 1, 2, or 3.
You DO need to meet the English requirement if your job is at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, OR if your role is on the additional list of occupations specified by Immigration New Zealand. Acceptable evidence includes:
- IELTS General or Academic, overall band 4.0 or higher
- TOEFL iBT, overall score 31 or higher
- PTE Academic, overall score 29 or higher
- Cambridge English (B1 Preliminary, B2 First, etc.) at the equivalent level
- A passport from one of INZ's English-majority countries (UK, Ireland, US, Canada, South Africa, Australia)
- 5 or more years of recognised employment in an English-speaking country
- A recognised qualification taught in English (depends on country and level)
Levels 1-3 ANZSCO covers most professional, technical and skilled trades roles, which is why most senior migrants do not need an English test.
Health and character requirements
Health: a New Zealand-approved panel doctor must complete a medical and chest X-ray (some applicants are exempt). Health certificates are valid for 36 months, so the same medical can support multiple visa applications during that window.
Character: police certificates are required for every country you are a citizen of, and every country you have lived in for 5 years or more since you turned 17. From 8 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand no longer accepts a receipt showing you applied for a certificate; you must provide the actual valid certificate at the time of lodgement. (Limited exceptions exist for Fiji, Hong Kong, and Israel where local processes do not always allow that.)
Character checks also assess immigration history, criminal history, and any false or misleading information in past applications. You should declare all previous visa declines to any country.
What you can do once your AEWV is granted
After your AEWV is approved you will receive your eVisa by email. With it you can:
- Travel to New Zealand on the dates allowed by your visa label
- Work for the accredited employer named in your job token, in the role specified
- Stay up to 5 years (ANZSCO 1-3) or 3 years (ANZSCO 4-5)
- Bring your partner and dependent children on supporting visas (subject to the income thresholds above)
- Travel in and out of New Zealand for the duration of the visa
Important constraints:
- You are tied to the named employer. If you change employers you must apply for a Job Change variation of conditions (or a new AEWV with the new employer's accreditation).
- Your role and pay are also fixed at the level approved in your Job Check. Material changes need a variation of conditions.
- Time spent on AEWV usually counts toward the residence pathway if the occupation is on the Green List (Tier 1 or Tier 2 - Work to Residence). 24 months on the AEWV in a Tier 2 Green List role qualifies you for the Work to Residence visa, and time on AEWV often supports a Skilled Migrant Category residence application.
Common reasons AEWV applications are declined
From our experience and from publicly available decline data:
- Missing documents at submission. The biggest single cause. Submit completely or do not submit yet.
- Pay below the role's wage threshold. Even though the median wage was removed for AEWV from 10 March 2025, occupation-specific thresholds still apply, and the role must pay at "market rate" appropriate to the position.
- Mismatch between the Job Check and the actual offered role.
- Character issues not properly disclosed. Failing to disclose a past visa decline, criminal matter, or immigration breach is treated as a misrepresentation.
- Dependence on a non-accredited employer. The application cannot start without an accredited employer and an approved Job Check. Always verify accreditation status before accepting an offer.
- Family members not properly evidenced. Partner relationship documentation (proof of cohabitation, joint financial commitments) is a frequent gap.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the AEWV take to process?
Immigration New Zealand publishes a benchmark of 80 percent of applications decided within 6 weeks of being submitted complete. Plan for 8-10 weeks from offer to visa-in-hand on a clean application.
How much does the AEWV cost?
The visa application fee starts at NZD $1,540 (a higher levy applies for some applicants). Total hard cost including medical, police certificates, and English test if required is usually NZD $2,200-$3,000 per applicant.
Can I apply for an AEWV without a job offer?
No. The AEWV is employer-led. You need a job offer from an accredited employer and an approved Job Check before you can lodge.
Do I need an English test for an AEWV?
Only if your job is at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, or appears on the specific list of occupations requiring English. Most senior and skilled professional roles are skill level 1-3 and require no test.
How long can I stay in New Zealand on the AEWV?
Up to 5 years for ANZSCO skill level 1-3 jobs. Up to 3 years for ANZSCO skill level 4-5 jobs. The exact length on your visa depends on the role, your pay, and when you first applied under the current rules.
Can my family come with me?
Yes, if you are in a Skill level 1, 2, or 3 role, or in an Aged Care (Skill 4-5) role, or another Work to Residence eligible role. You must also meet the income requirements (80% of median wage to support a partner work visa; NZD $58,240 per year to support a dependent child).
Can I switch employers on an AEWV?
Yes, but you have to apply for a Job Change variation of conditions or a new AEWV under the new employer's accreditation before you start the new role. The new employer needs an approved Job Check and you must meet the Job Check requirements.
Does AEWV time count toward residence?
Yes. Time on AEWV in a Tier 2 Green List role for 24 months qualifies you for the Work to Residence visa. AEWV time also typically supports Skilled Migrant Category residence applications if your occupation is on the Tier 1 or Tier 2 list, or otherwise at Skill level 1, 2, or 3.
What if my employer is not accredited?
The employer can apply for accreditation, but this adds 4-10 weeks before the Job Check can be lodged. In some cases, employers decide not to pursue accreditation for budget or capacity reasons; the offer may not survive that.
What changed for AEWV in 2025-2026?
Two major changes: from 10 March 2025, employers no longer have to pay the median wage on AEWV applications (occupation-specific thresholds still apply). From 8 December 2025, applicants must provide a valid police certificate at lodgement (a receipt is no longer accepted, with limited exceptions for Fiji, Hong Kong, and Israel).
How a licensed immigration adviser helps
You can apply for an AEWV without an adviser. Most simple, well-documented applications go through fine. We see clients hit trouble in four situations:
- Occupation relevance to qualification and previous work experience to meet Job Check and INZ skills threshold requirements
- Complex character history (past visa decline, prior overstay, criminal matter, health concern)
- Family applications with relationship-evidence gaps
- Senior or specialist roles where pay structures (bonus, equity, carve-outs) make the wage threshold question unclear
In any of these we can help you build a complete, defensible application before you lodge. Book a paid consultation if you want a professional read on your case before you commit to applying.
Talk to Kiwi Fern about your AEWV application
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