Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) 2026 Guide

There are clear steps to working and staying in New Zealand after your studies.

But not all job offers lead to the same visa outcomes. 

Knowing which pathway applies to you can make a big difference.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is now the main work visa for migrants. 

It connects accredited employers with skilled workers and can lead to residence pathways for eligible applicants.

In this guide, you’ll learn how the AEWV works, who it’s for, the latest requirements, and how it connects to PR pathways.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s main temporary work visa for migrants who have a job offer from an accredited employer. To qualify, you must have a job offer from an employer approved by Immigration New Zealand. This ensures the role is genuine and meets current labour market rules.

For many applicants, the AEWV is more than just a work visa. It can also lead to residence pathways such as the Green List or Work to Residence, depending on your role.

Quick summary: AEWV at a glance

The Accredited Employer Work visa is for migrants who have a valid job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand. If your employer is approved by Immigration New Zealand and your job meets the requirements, you may be eligible to apply.

To apply for the AEWV, you must:

• Have a full-time job offer from an accredited employer

• Meet the skill level and requirements of your role

• Have the right qualifications or work experience for the job

• Meet the ANZSCO or NOL skill level for your role

• Hold occupational registration if your job requires it

• Meet English language requirements (for some roles)

• Be in good health

• Be of good character

• Have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand

Best for international students and recent graduates

This visa is often the next step after studying in New Zealand.

It may suit you if you are:

• Finishing your studies and planning to stay and work

• Switching from a student visa to a work visa

• A graduate with a job offer related to your field

If your job aligns with what you studied, this can also support future residence pathways.

Also suitable for offshore skilled workers

You can also apply from outside New Zealand.

This may suit you if you:

• Already have a job offer before entering New Zealand.

• Work in a role that is in demand.

As long as your employer is accredited and your role meets the criteria, you can start your application from offshore.

Accredited Employer Work visas are typically valid for up to 5 years, depending on your job and salary.

Note:

Lower-skilled roles can still get up to 5 years if they meet conditions like higher pay or being on the Green List.

Know how long you can stay on an AEWV.

To apply for an AEWV, you must have a valid job offer from an accredited employer and meet the job, employer, and skill requirements.

Job offer requirements

Your job must:

• Be current when you apply.

• Be at least 30 hours per week.

• From an accredited employer with an approved job check.

• Be paid at the market rate for your role.

Occupational registration requirement

Some jobs in New Zealand require official registration before you can work. This is called occupational registration.

This usually applies to regulated professions such as healthcare, teaching, or engineering.

If your job requires registration, you must provide one of the following:

• A certified copy of your full or provisional New Zealand registration, or

• Confirmation from the registration body that your job is eligible for registration.

If you are not sure, it is important to check if you need occupational registration for your job.

Without the right registration, your visa application may not be approved.

Skill and qualification requirements

You must show that you meet the skill and qualification requirements for your job. In most cases, you need either work experience or a qualification.

You must have one of the following:

• At least 2 years of relevant work experience, or

• A Level 4 qualification or higher (NZQCF standard).

Proving your work experience

You must show proof that you have done similar work before.

Accepted evidence includes:

• Reference letters from past employers

• Certificates of employment

• Payslips or tax records

Your documents must clearly show:

• Your job role

• How long you have worked

• Your employer’s details

Proving your qualifications

You must provide copies of your qualifications.

You may need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) to show that your qualification matches New Zealand standards.

This applies to you if your qualification is:

• Below a Bachelor’s degree, and

• From outside New Zealand

When you may not need extra evidence

In some cases, you may not need to provide full skill evidence, such as if: 

• Your job is on the Green List, and you meet its requirements.

• You already have occupational registration for your role.

• You are paid at least NZD $67.12 an hour

• You have already provided proof of your qualifications or work experience in a previous visa application.

Health and character requirements

To get an AEWV, you must be in good health and have a good character.

• If you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months, you may need a chest X-ray.

• If you are 17 or older and will stay in New Zealand for 24 months or more, you need to provide police certificates.

IELTS and English requirements

• If your job is at skill level 4 or 5, you must show that you can speak and understand English.

• If your job is at skill level 1 to 3, you do not need to meet English requirements.

There are two main ways to show your English ability:

• Through your citizenship, study, or work background, or

• By taking an approved English test.

Minimum IELTS score for AEWV

For IELTS, you need:

• Overall score of 4.0 or higher.

Important to know

Even if English is not required for your AEWV, it may still matter later.

If you plan to apply for residence, higher English scores are often needed. It is worth planning your IELTS early to keep your options open.

Check whether you need IELTS for your occupation.

Yes, the AEWV can lead to residence through specific pathways.

For many people, the AEWV is not the final step. It is often the starting point toward living in New Zealand long-term.

In most cases, the process looks like this:

1. You get a job with an accredited employer.

2. You apply for an AEWV.

3. You build work experience in New Zealand.

4. You apply for residence through the right pathway.

Pathway 1: Green List

If your job is on the Green List, your pathway is more direct.

• Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) - You can apply for residence straight away or soon after starting your job.

• Tier 2 (Work to Residence) - You work in your role first (usually 24 months), then apply for residence.

This is one of the most common pathways for AEWV holders.

Pathway 2: Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

The Skilled Migrant Category pathway is based on:

• Your job and salary

• Your qualifications

• Your English level

You need to meet a points threshold to apply.

Know more about permanent residency pathways in New Zealand.

If you’re interested in this pathway, don’t miss out on the latest migration updates about the SMC.

The AEWV process involves employer checks first, followed by your visa application. Your employer must be approved before you can apply. Once everything is ready, you complete your application online. 

Step 1: Get a job offer from an accredited employer

You must first secure a full-time job from an accredited employer in New Zealand. Your employer must also complete a job check to prove the role meets visa rules.  

Step 2: Prepare your documents

Before applying, gather all required documents. This includes your passport, job documents, proof of skills or experience, and any required English, medical, or police certificates. Make sure all details match your passport and that any non-English documents are translated.

See the full AEWV document checklist

Step 3: Apply online

Use the link provided by your employer to complete your application. You will fill out your details, upload your documents, and pay the visa fee. You can save your progress and return later if needed.

Step 4: Wait for a decision

After submission, Immigration New Zealand will review your application. They may contact you if they need more information. If you are already in New Zealand, make sure your current visa remains valid while you wait.

Step 5: Get your result

You will receive an email once a decision is made. If your application is approved, you will be issued an eVisa. You can then check your visa conditions before starting work.

What happens after AEWV approval

AEWV costs and processing times vary depending on your application. The visa fee starts from NZD $1540, but the exact cost may differ based on your situation and where you apply from.

Most applications are processed relatively quickly, with 80% completed within 5.5 weeks, although this can take longer if additional documents or checks are needed.

You cannot include your partner or children in your AEWV application, but you may be able to support separate visas for them. What your family can apply for depends on your salary, job skill level, and whether your role is on pathways like the Green List.

Check if you can bring your family on an AEWV.

The AEWV has replaced most older employer-sponsored work visas. If you are planning to work in New Zealand, the AEWV is now the main visa you will apply for. Other visas are used for specific pathways, especially for residence.  

Quick comparison

Choosing the right course, job, and visa strategy can make a big difference in whether you stay in New Zealand long-term.

With the right guidance, you can:

• Choose a course that supports your migration goals.

• Understand which jobs can lead to residence.

• Prepare your IELTS for future visa pathways.

• Plan your next steps with confidence.

IDP helps you connect your study and work choices with real outcomes, so you can move forward with a clear plan.

Book a consultation to map your AEWV and PR pathway.