Accredited Employer Work
New Zealand's primary work visa for skilled professionals with a job offer from an accredited employer. Valid for up to 5 years, with a clear pathway to residence.
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The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's main work visa for skilled overseas workers. Unlike points-based or lottery systems, the AEWV is straightforward: if you have a genuine job offer from an employer who's been accredited by Immigration New Zealand, you can apply. Your employer handles the accreditation and job check steps, then sends you a link to complete your visa application.
The visa is valid for up to 5 years depending on your role, skill level, and pay rate. Most AEWV holders work in roles across tech, healthcare, engineering, construction, and hospitality, though the visa covers a wide range of occupations. Your pay must be at least the market rate for the job, meaning what a New Zealander would be paid for the same work, and it must also meet other legal wage rules, such as the New Zealand minimum wage.
Strategically, the AEWV is often the first step toward permanent residency. After gaining skilled work experience in New Zealand, many AEWV holders transition to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. Concord helps both employers and candidates navigate the three-stage process, accreditation, job check, and visa application, to minimise delays and get you working in New Zealand faster.
Immigration New Zealand sets its application fees, levies and processing times and updates them regularly, so we don't quote them here. Check the current cost and decision time for your situation with INZ's Fees, decision times and where to apply tool, check how pay is assessed on INZ's work visa wage rates page, and see the full requirements on INZ's Accredited Employer Work Visa page.
Who is it for?
The AEWV is ideal for skilled professionals who've secured a job offer from a New Zealand employer. You're a strong candidate if you have relevant qualifications (level 4+ on the NZQCF) or equivalent work experience in the same field as your offered role. Tech workers, engineers, healthcare professionals, tradespeople, and hospitality managers are among the most common applicants.
It's also a great option for people already in New Zealand on a student or working holiday visa who've landed a role and want to stay longer term. If your goal is permanent residency, the AEWV gives you the New Zealand work experience you'll need to qualify for the Skilled Migrant Category down the track.
What are the requirements
Job offer from accredited employer
You need a genuine job offer from an employer who holds current accreditation with Immigration New Zealand.
Relevant skills or qualifications
You must demonstrate qualifications at NZQCF level 4 or higher, or equivalent work experience in the same field as the offered role.
Minimum pay threshold
Your pay must be at least the market rate for the job and meet other legal wage rules, such as the New Zealand minimum wage.
Health and character checks
You'll need a medical exam, chest X-ray, and police certificates from every country you've lived in for 12+ months over the past 10 years.
Visa Timeline
Concord Processing Time
Premium Processing Time
Standard Processing Time
Your employer gets accredited (or confirms existing accreditation) and submits a job check to Immigration New Zealand for your specific role.
Varies
Concord helps you compile your qualifications, work experience evidence, medical exams, police certificates, and other supporting documents.
~1-2 weeks
Your employer sends you an invitation link to apply online. Concord reviews everything before you submit to avoid processing delays.
Varies
Immigration New Zealand issues your visa. You can travel to New Zealand and start work with your sponsoring employer.
Varies
Depends on INZ processing
The Concord difference:
Begin your visa journey with Concord
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