Maximum continuous stay and longer visa length for the AEWV

A 'maximum continuous stay' is the total time you can be on an AEWV before you must spend time outside New Zealand to be eligible for another AEWV.

There is a maximum continuous stay for everyone with an AEWV, including sectors exempt from paying the median wage.

Maximum visa length is not always the same as the maximum continuous stay

The maximum visa length is not always the same length of time as the maximum continuous stay.

If the maximum continuous stay is longer than the maximum visa length for your role, any further AEWVs you get can only be approved for up to the length of the maximum continuous stay.

Calculating time for maximum continuous stays

We count your maximum continuous stay from:

• when your first AEWV was issued, or
• when you arrived in New Zealand on an AEWV, if your AEWV was issued while you were outside New Zealand.

Unless you have already spent the required time outside New Zealand, any time spent on an AEWV approved before 27 November 2023 — including time spent on an AEWV paid below the median wage — counts towards the maximum continuous stay.

Your maximum continuous stay resets after you spend the required time outside New Zealand.

Your maximum continuous stay does not include time spent on:

• temporary visas such as visitor and student visas
• other work visas such as post study, partnership or working holiday visas
• an Interim Visa.

When you reach your maximum continuous stay

When you reach the maximum continuous stay, you must leave New Zealand for at least the required amount of time to be eligible for another AEWV. Refer to table 'AEWV length, maximum continuous stay and time outside New Zealand effective from 27 November 2023'.

You must spend at least 12 months in a row outside New Zealand if you are paid:

• the median wage or above, or
• below the median wage in a role other than meat and seafood processing.

You must spend at least 4 months in a row outside New Zealand if you are paid below the median wage in a meat or seafood processing role.

At any time, if you have spent the required time outside New Zealand, even if you have not yet reached the maximum continuous stay period:

• you will be able to apply for another AEWV
• your new AEWV visa length will be the maximum for your role, and
• the maximum continuous stay of your AEWV will be reset.

If you are on a pathway to residence

You will be able to apply for another AEWV without spending 12 months out of New Zealand if you can show you are on a pathway to residence.

This could include, for example, if you meet the skill threshold — occupational registration, qualification or income — but need more time to complete your skilled work experience.

We will provide more information on recognised pathways to residence in the future.

Roles paid at least the median wage

The maximum length of an AEWV increased from 3 to 5 years. This is for applications approved from 27 November 2023 where the work is paid at least the median wage.

Wage rate requirements for visas

If you have an existing AEWV

You may be able to apply for another AEWV to get the visa balance of 5 years.

Applying for your AEWV balance

If you have already spent 12 months outside New Zealand, you may be eligible for an AEWV for up to 5 years.

Care workforce roles paid below median wage

The maximum length of an AEWV for a care workforce worker paid the level 3 or level 4 pay rate increased from 2 to 3 years. This is for applications approved from 27 November 2023.

For workers paid at the level 3 pay rate, this increase gives you enough time to complete the level 4 qualification and move to the higher pay rate and pathway to residence. If you move to the level 4 pay rate, you can apply for a further AEWV to get the maximum continuous stay of 5 years.

For workers paid at the level 4 pay rate, this increase gives you time to apply for residence after you have completed the required 2 years of work experience at the level 4 pay rate.

If you have an existing AEWV as part of the care workforce sector

You may be able to apply for another AEWV to get your AEWV balance. Find out if you can apply.

Applying for your AEWV balance

If you are staying in the same job, your employer may be able to reuse a job token to send you a request to apply for your AEWV balance. Check the following requirements for who can apply with a reused job token.

Care workforce paid at least the level 4 pay rate

If you are in the Care Workforce and paid at least the level 4 pay rate, you can apply for a new AEWV with a visa length of up to 3 years, instead of applying for your balance with a reused job token.

• If you apply with a reused token the total time across your existing visa and second visa can only add up to 3 years. You need to meet the requirements to apply with a reused job token.
• If you apply for a new AEWV, you can get the maximum continuous stay of up to 5 years across your 2 visas. Your employer needs to do a new Job Check and send you a new job token to apply. You and your employer must meet the usual requirements for an AEWV.
  Accredited Employer Work Visa

Who can apply with a reused job token

You must meet these requirements to be eligible for the balance of the longer visa length using a reused job token.

• You must have an AEWV that was approved before 27 November 2023.
• Your current AEWV must be for work paid at or above the median wage that was in place when you applied for the visa, or for work in the care workforce sector paid at least the level 3 rate.
• You must have the same employer, job title, and work location as in your current AEWV.
• You must be paid at the same pay rate or above the rate listed in your current AEWV.
• You must meet the criteria for the AEWV including health and character requirements.
  Accredited Employer Work Visa
• Your employer must be accredited.
  Check if an employer is accredited

If you cannot apply with a reused job token, you may be able to apply for a new AEWV. Your employer needs to do a new Job Check and send you a new job token to apply. You and your employer must meet the usual requirements for an AEWV.
Accredited Employer Work Visa

When to apply for your balance

You should consider waiting until closer to when your current AEWV expires before applying.

If you apply early and your situation changes, you may need to apply for a different visa or change the conditions of your current visa (variation of conditions).
Changing the conditions of a work visa or applying for a Job Change

You should consider if any medical or police certificates will still be valid at the time you apply.

How to apply

1. Your employer sends you a request to apply for a further AEWV with a reused job token.
2. You receive an email of the request.
3. You check that you meet the requirements to get your AEWV balance.
   Who can apply with a reused job token
4. You accept the request. Click the Immigration Online link in the email to start the application for a further AEWV.

If you are changing your employer, job or location, you can:

• complete a Job Change for your existing AEWV — you change your AEWV conditions but keep the same visa length, or
• apply for a new AEWV for up to the maximum visa length for your role.

Changing the conditions of a work visa or applying for a Job Change

It may be better to apply for a new AEWV instead of a Job Change. For a new AEWV, your employer needs to do a new Job Check and send you a new job request to apply. You and your employer must meet the usual requirements for an AEWV.
Accredited Employer Work Visa