A New Zealand employer who wants to support a non - New Zealand resident or citizen on a work visa must be accredited. Applications for Accreditation now open. This cost is to be borne by employers. This accreditation is not required if they wish to hire migrants on visas offering open work rights (this means the holder can work for any employer and for any job) – partnership work visas, student visas, working holiday and post study work visas.
Employers Work Visa
Supporting Your Migrant Workforce: What Employers Need to Know – NZ Immigration Visa Ltd.
In today’s diverse work environment, businesses across New Zealand—whether small enterprises or large corporations—rely on a mix of New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and temporary visa holders to power their teams.
Temporary visa holders may include students with part-time work rights, working holiday visa holders with casual full-time work rights, or those on post-study or partnership-based work visas. However, a significant portion of the workforce is made up of employer-supported migrant workers—individuals on visas such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), formerly known as the Essential Skills Work Visa, Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa, or Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) Work Visa.
As of 4 July 2022, Immigration New Zealand has officially retired these older categories and introduced the AEWV, part of a newly structured, employer-led 3-step process. This new process is designed to ensure a streamlined and compliant pathway for hiring skilled migrant workers.
The 3-Step AEWV Process:
- Employer Accreditation – Businesses must first become accredited with Immigration New Zealand.
- Job Check – The proposed role must be approved to confirm no suitable New Zealanders are available.
- Visa Application – Only once steps 1 and 2 are complete can the AEWV application be submitted.
Important for Employers & HR Teams:
With ongoing changes in immigration policy, it is critical to monitor key dates and ensure visa management is handled accurately and on time. Supporting your migrant employees effectively means staying compliant and responsive to the latest policy updates—especially as previous visa pathways are phased out.
At NZ Immigration Visa Ltd., we specialise in helping employers navigate these complexities. From gaining accreditation to managing job checks and visa submissions, our expert team ensures your business stays compliant while supporting your valued migrant workforce.
Frequently asked Questions
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First stage – Employer accreditation
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Second Stage – Job Check
Employers also pay for a job check. The job check will confirm the job pays the market rate, the terms and conditions comply with our employment laws, and you have done a labour market test if you need to. A labour market test shows you have genuinely advertised the role to New Zealanders and there are no New Zealanders available to do the job. An employer can only hire a migrant worker if the job check is passed. Applications for Job Check now open.
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Third Stage – AEWV
The migrant worker check is where the migrant worker applies for a visa. It is the last step in the AEWV process and can only be done if the above two stages are cleared. The migrant worker must show they meet INZ’s character, identity and health requirements, are bona fide and meet the skills and experience stipulated as part of the employer’s job check application. Migrant workers or employers can pay for this check. Migrants can apply for an AEWV once the employer is accredited, and a job check has been completed.
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- +64 22 177 1309
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- shabbir@nzimmigrationvisa.co.nz
- 80 1943269055
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