Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
| Job offer | Full-time (at least 30 hours a week) from an accredited employer, with an approved job check for that role |
|---|---|
| Pay | At least the wage rate for your job (see INZ's wage rates page). The old median wage requirement was removed in 2025; employers must pay the market rate. |
| Skills | 2 or more years of relevant full-time experience, or a qualification at NZQCF level 4 or higher (a bachelor's degree can be in any field) |
| Skills exemptions | Green List jobs, occupational registration, pay of at least NZD $67.12 an hour, or evidence already accepted on an earlier application |
| English | Required for skill levels 3 to 5; test results no more than 2 years old |
| Cost | From NZD $1,540 |
| Processing | 80% of applications decided within 5 weeks |
A CV alone isn't enough evidence of experience. Use third-party documents such as payslips, tax certificates and employer references.
How the AEWV process works
- Your employer gets accreditedCheck INZ's accredited employer list. Employers: see how we sort accreditation.
- Your employer passes a job checkINZ checks the job, pay and recruitment for that role.
- You apply for the visaWith your job offer, skills evidence, health, character and English documents.
It's against the rules for an employer or agent to charge you fees for the job or pass on recruitment costs. If someone asks you to pay for a job offer, be very careful.
How long you can stay
- Up to 5 years for most jobs
- Up to 3 years for jobs at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5
- When you reach your maximum continuous stay, you normally need to spend 12 months in a row outside New Zealand before getting another AEWV.
The AEWV can lead to residence, depending on your job. See residence pathways.
Bringing family
You can't include your partner or children on your AEWV, but you may be able to support a visitor or work visa for your partner and visitor or student visas for your children. This depends on your earnings and your job's skill level.
Visa conditions
- Work only for the employer, in the job and location on your visa, unless you get a variation or Job Change approved.
- No second job.
- Study for up to 3 months in any 12 months, or study your employer requires.
- Some work is excluded, including crop work in horticulture and viticulture, foreign crew on fishing vessels, and self-employment.
Seasonal work? Crop work in horticulture and viticulture isn't allowed on the AEWV. See RSE and seasonal visas.
Post-Study Work Visa
Lets recent graduates of New Zealand qualifications stay and work for up to 3 years, depending on the qualification. You can usually only hold one.
| Qualification | Visa length | Work rights |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree (level 7) or higher | Up to 3 years | Any job |
| Master's degree (level 9) | 3 years | Any job |
| Postgraduate diploma (level 8) | 1 year | Any job |
| Level 7 graduate diploma, with a bachelor's degree (from 16 November 2026) | As long as you studied, up to 1 year | Any job |
| Level 4 to 6 qualification on INZ's eligible list | Check INZ | Only a job related to what you studied |
- Apply within 3 months of your student visa expiring (6 months for doctoral degrees).
- You need at least NZD $5,000 for living costs.
- Cost from NZD $1,670. 80% of applications are decided within 3 weeks.
- From 16 November 2026, paper applications are no longer accepted.
Common mistakes
- Applying before the employer's job check is approved.
- Relying on a CV instead of payslips and tax records to prove experience.
- Starting a second job or changing roles without approval.
- Missing the 3-month window to apply for a Post-Study Work Visa.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand: Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Immigration New Zealand: Reforms to the AEWV
- Immigration New Zealand: Post Study Work Visa
- Immigration New Zealand: Post Study Work Visa eligibility extended from 16 November 2026
This is general information, not immigration advice. For advice on your situation, talk to a licensed immigration adviser.