This is the most important question for businesses looked to become accredited under these rules. The type of accreditation you apply under will dictate how many migrants you can support on a visa and the energy you need to dedicate to meeting the accreditation requirements.
Employers holding Standard Accreditation can only support up to 5 visas per year; but those under High Volume do not have a cap.
There is no difference in the accreditation requirements between standard and high-volume accreditation. Additional requirements for high-volume employers may be considered in the future. Employers must still apply for high-volume accreditation and pay a higher fee if they want to employ more than 5 workers on AEWVs at one time.
Get Accreditation
Mandatory Employer Accreditation – NZ Immigration Visa Ltd.
To employ a migrant worker on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for up to five years, employer accreditation is now mandatory. This is the first and crucial step in Immigration New Zealand’s new 3-stage employer-led work visa process.
Why Accreditation Matters
If your business is not accredited, you cannot hire migrant workers on any employer-assisted work visa under the AEWV framework. Immigration New Zealand assesses three key areas in this process:
- The employer – accreditation status
- The job – labour market check
- The worker – visa application
At NZ Immigration Visa Ltd., we help you meet these requirements smoothly so you can legally and efficiently onboard global talent.
When Do You Need to Be Accredited?
You only need to apply for accreditation when:
- You want to hire someone on the new AEWV; or
- You need to support an existing migrant employee whose Essential Skills or Talent visa is expiring and requires transitioning to AEWV.
You do not need accreditation if you’re only hiring migrants who hold:
- Student visas (with open work rights)
- Working holiday visas
- Partnership-based work visas
- Post-study work visas
Types of Accreditation
Employers can apply under two main accreditation levels:
- Standard Accreditation – For hiring up to 5 AEWV holders at a time
- High-Volume Accreditation – For hiring 6 or more AEWV holders at a time
Additionally, labour hire companies or those placing migrants with third parties must meet stricter conditions under the Controlling Third Party accreditation category.
Need guidance through the accreditation process?
At NZ Immigration Visa Ltd., we simplify the complexities, manage the paperwork, and ensure your business remains compliant—so you can focus on building a strong and diverse team.
Let us help you become an accredited employer the right way. Reach out to our team today.
Frequently asked Questions
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What type of accreditation to apply for?
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How much does it cost?
You will pay a fee based on the level of accreditation you get and how many migrants you hire.
-Standard accreditation, up to 5 migrants at any one time: NZD $775.
-High-volume, 6 or more migrants at any one time: NZD $1,280.
-Upgrade fee for employers who want to upgrade from standard to high-volume accreditation: NZD $505.
-Employers wanting to place migrants with controlling third parties: NZD $4,060.
-Reconsideration of declined employer accreditation application: NZD $250.
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- Roshan@nzimmigrationvisa.co.nz
- +64 22 177 1309
- House # 5, Road # 3, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 8022, Bangladesh
- shabbir@nzimmigrationvisa.co.nz
- 80 1943269055
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