AEWV Requirements

Planning to apply for an AEWV?

Before you apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), you'll need to meet Immigration New Zealand's eligibility requirements.

This guide explains who can apply, what you'll need to qualify and which documents to prepare before you submit your application.

You can apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) if you have a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer and meet Immigration New Zealand's visa requirements. You'll also need an approved Job Check, the skills or experience needed for the role, and you'll need to meet the health, character and, where applicable, English language requirements.

Good to know:

Not every applicant needs to meet the English language requirement. It currently applies to eligible ANZSCO or National Occupation List (NOL) Skill Level 3, 4 and 5 roles. Check whether you need IELTS for your role.

Below, you’ll find a specific list of requirements you’ll have to meet when applying for an AEWV.

Your job offer is one of the most important parts of your AEWV application. Even if you meet the visa requirements, your application can still be delayed or declined if your job offer or employment agreement doesn't meet Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

Your employer must:

• Be accredited under the AEWV scheme.

• Have an approved Job Check and provide you with a valid job token.

• Follow New Zealand immigration and employment laws.

Good to know: Employer accreditation can expire. Before you apply, check that your employer is still accredited and that their Job Check is still valid. Check the accredited employer list.

Your job must:

• Be genuine and needed by the employer.

• Be for at least 30 hours of work per week.

• Be valid when you submit your visa application.

• Be paid at least the market rate for your occupation.

Did you know? Immigration New Zealand assesses whether your pay reflects the market rate for your role—not just whether it meets the minimum wage. If you're unsure whether your salary meets the requirements, it's worth checking before you apply.

Your employment agreement must include:

• Your job title and main duties.

• Your hours of work and employment period.

• Your pay and working conditions.

• Any qualifications or occupational registration required for the role.

Your employment agreement must comply with New Zealand employment law. It can't include unlawful deductions, unfair bonding clauses or other conditions that breach workplace laws.

Common reason applications are delayed: Missing or incorrect information in an employment agreement can delay your AEWV application. Reviewing your employment documents before you apply can help you avoid unnecessary setbacks. Our migration experts can help check your documents.

Not sure if your job offer meets the AEWV requirements?

Our licensed immigration advisers can review your job offer, employment agreement and supporting documents before you apply. We'll help you identify potential issues early and prepare a complete application with confidence.

Review my job offer

Watch out for job offer scams

Never pay an employer for a job offer, Job Check or employer accreditation. These costs are the employer's responsibility.

Be cautious if someone:

• asks you to pay for a job offer or recruitment

• promises guaranteed visa approval or faster processing

• tells you to provide false information in your application.

Before accepting a job offer, make sure your employer is accredited, and the opportunity is genuine.

To qualify for an AEWV, you'll usually need either at least two years of relevant work experience or a qualification at NZQCF Level 4 or higher. Your experience or qualification should normally relate to the job you've been offered. If you have a Bachelor's degree or higher, it can be in any field.

Good to know: Your two years of work experience don't need to be continuous or full-time, but they must add up to two years of full-time equivalent work.

Proving your work experience

If you're relying on work experience, you'll need documents that verify your employment.

Examples include:

• Employment certificates

• Payslips

• Tax records

• Employer reference letters supported by other evidence

Did you know? A CV or résumé on its own isn't enough to prove your work experience. Immigration New Zealand expects supporting documents that confirm where you worked, when you worked and the hours you completed.

Proving your qualifications

If you're relying on your qualifications, you'll need to provide copies of your certificates with your application.

If your qualification is below a Bachelor's degree and was completed outside New Zealand, you may also need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA.

Good to know: If you already have a Bachelor's degree or higher, it can be in any field. Lower-level qualifications usually need to relate to the job you've been offered.

Some applicants may not need additional skills evidence

Immigration New Zealand may not ask for extra evidence of your skills if:

• your job is on the Green List

• you already hold the required occupational registration

• you've previously provided the same evidence in an earlier visa application

• you qualify under another exemption.

Not sure what evidence you'll need? Every application is different. The documents Immigration New Zealand expects depend on your job, qualifications and work history. Check your documents with IDP.

Depending on your job, you may need to prove your English language ability.

From 1 June 2026, the new AEWV English language requirement applies to eligible **ANZSCO or National Occupation List (NOL) Skill Level 3, 4 and 5 roles.

If you need to meet the English language requirement, IELTS is one of the approved tests accepted by Immigration New Zealand. View the list of ANZSCO and NOL Level 3, 4 and 5 occupations.

You'll also need to meet Immigration New Zealand's health and character requirements.

Health

• Medical examination

• Chest X-ray

The type of health checks you'll need depends on your personal circumstances, how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and your travel history. 

Character

• Police certificates

• Evidence that you meet New Zealand's good character requirements

Before you apply, check that your certificates:

• Are less than 6 months old.

• Are the actual police certificates, not proof that you've applied for one.

• Meet any additional country-specific requirements.

If you submitted police certificates with a previous New Zealand visa application and they were issued within the last 24 months, you may not need to provide new ones. Immigration New Zealand will let you know if updated certificates are required.

Some occupations require you to hold New Zealand occupational registration before you can work. If your job is regulated, you'll need to provide evidence of your registration or eligibility to register.

Below are some of the jobs that require registration.

Every AEWV application is different. The documents and evidence you'll need depend on your job, qualifications, work history and personal circumstances.

Our licensed immigration advisers can review your eligibility, check your supporting documents and help you prepare a complete application before you apply.

Before you apply for an AEWV, make sure you have all the required documents ready. The exact documents you'll need depend on your circumstances, but most applicants should prepare the following.

Identity

• Valid passport

• Recent passport photo

Job offer

• Job offer

• Employment agreement

• Job token from your employer

Skills and qualifications

• Qualification certificates (if applicable)

• Evidence of relevant work experience

English language

• IELTS or another approved English language test result (if required)

Health

• Medical certificate (if required)

• Chest X-ray certificate (if required)

Character

• Police certificates (if required)

Occupational registration

• Proof of New Zealand occupational registration, if your profession requires it

Other documents

• Certified English translations for any documents that aren't in English

Not sure which documents apply to you?

Check our full document checklist, or contact our IDP migration experts to understand exactly what you'll need before you apply.

Applying for an AEWV is just one step in your journey to living and working in New Zealand. Whether you're preparing your application, booking IELTS or planning your long-term migration goals, IDP can help you understand your options with confidence.

We can help you:

• Understand the AEWV requirements that apply to your situation.

• Prepare for IELTS if you need to meet the English language requirement.

• Explore study options that match your career goals.

• Plan your pathway to permanent residence.

• Get ready before you submit your visa application.

No matter where you are in your journey, we can help you take the next step with confidence.

Do I need a degree to apply for an AEWV?

No. You can qualify with either 2 years of relevant work experience OR a Level 4 qualification (which is below a Bachelor's degree). A Bachelor's degree allows your qualification to be in any field.

What is the minimum wage for AEWV jobs?

There is no longer a fixed median wage requirement. Your employer must pay the market rate for the role, which must be at least the adult minimum wage ($23.95/hour from 1 April 2026).

Do I need English for a skill level 1 job?

No. English is only required for skill level 3, 4, and 5 roles. However, INZ may still request evidence of English ability during assessment if they have concerns.

Can I include my wife and children in my AEWV application?

No. The AEWV is for the worker only. You may be able to support their separate visa applications if you meet the income thresholds. See our partner visa guide.

How long is my police certificate valid for AEWV?

Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you apply. If you provided one in a previous application within the last 24 months, you may not need a new one.

What if my employer is not yet accredited?

Your employer must be accredited before you apply. They cannot start the Job Check without accreditation. Encourage them to apply immediately, accreditation typically takes 3 days to 2 weeks.

Can I use a reference letter as proof of work experience?

A reference letter alone is not sufficient. It must be supported by payslips, tax certificates, or employment certificates. The evidence must be independently verifiable.

Do I need a new medical if I had one for a previous visa?

Medical certificates are valid for 3 years. If your previous medical was within this timeframe and your circumstances haven't changed, you may not need a new one.