Accreditation for the AEWV
You can get accreditation to use the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to hire migrants on visas for up to 3 years. You must pay at least the NZ median wage, unless the role is on an exemption list, and show that you cannot find suitable New Zealanders first.
Why we ask you to be accredited and do a job check
Accreditation and the job check ensures you hire New Zealanders first before you consider migrants, and if you do hire migrants you are a viable business with good practices.
The accreditation process
You must apply for accreditation, advertise if you need to and get a job check to show there are no suitable New Zealanders for the job you want to fill.
Employer accreditation: check what you need and apply
To get accreditation you need to meet criteria to show you will be a good employer for migrants. These criteria change depending on your business model.
Job check: check what you need and apply
You must be accredited and have advertised the role in New Zealand, if you need to, before applying for a job check.
Non-compliance, stand-down periods and permanent bans
To be accredited you and any key people in your organisation must be compliant with immigration and employment standards. If not you may be fined, stood-down or permanently banned.
Applying for the Accredited Employer Work Visa
Once your employer has been accredited for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and has an approved job check the employer can ask you to apply for an AEWV.
Settlement information for employers hiring workers on AEWVs
As an accredited employer you must provide information to help your workers on Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV) settle into their jobs and New Zealand.
Roles exempt from the AEWV median wage threshold
If you want to hire migrants on the Accredited Employer Work Visa and the role is on this list you can pay less than the median wage.