New Zealand replaced its patchwork of employer-specific work visas with a single route in 2022: the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Nearly every skilled or semi-skilled foreign worker now goes through it, and the rules have shifted meaningfully since — most importantly, the old median-wage requirement was scrapped in March 2025 in favour of a “market rate” test. Here’s how the AEWV actually works in 2026, and what trips applicants up.
The three-step structure
Unlike a standard work visa application, the AEWV involves three separate approvals, usually in this order:
- Employer accreditation — the employer applies to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to become an accredited employer, valid for 12 or 24 months depending on the accreditation type.
- Job check — once accredited, the employer submits the specific job to INZ for approval, confirming it meets pay and, where applicable, labour market requirements.
- Visa application — only after both of the above are approved does the worker apply for the AEWV itself, referencing the approved job check.
You cannot start step 3 without an employer who has already cleared steps 1 and 2 — a genuine job offer alone is not enough.
Who qualifies
To be granted an AEWV, an applicant generally needs:
- A genuine, full-time job offer (minimum 30 hours/week) from an INZ-accredited employer, tied to an approved job check.
- Either at least 2 years of relevant work experience in the role, or a relevant qualification at Level 4 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.
- Any required occupational registration for regulated roles (nursing, engineering, trades, etc.).
- English language proficiency, required for roles at skill levels 3–5 on the ANZSCO/NOL classification (INZ is transitioning from ANZSCO to a new National Occupation List through 2026).
- Standard health and character requirements, including a chest X-ray for stays of 6+ months from higher-incidence TB countries and police certificates where required.
The pay rule: “market rate,” not median wage
This is the change most out-of-date guides still get wrong. Until March 2025, most AEWV roles had to meet the economy-wide median wage. That requirement was removed on 10 March 2025. The current rule is that pay must be at the market rate — what a New Zealand worker doing the same job, at the same level, in the same region would be paid — and never below the adult minimum wage. The median wage figure still matters for other purposes (Green List roles, the Skilled Migrant Category, and partner work-visa eligibility thresholds), so don’t assume it’s gone entirely — it just no longer gates a standard AEWV job check on its own.
Fees (2026)
Budget for costs across all three stages, since the worker doesn’t pay all of them:
- AEWV application fee: from NZD $1,540 (visa application fee plus the immigration levy).
- Job check fee: separate from the visa fee and typically paid by the employer.
- Employer accreditation fee: paid by the employer, not the worker.
Fees are set and revised by Immigration New Zealand — always confirm the current schedule on immigration.govt.nz before budgeting, since INZ adjusts these periodically.
Processing times
INZ’s published service standard for AEWV applications is roughly 80% of applications decided within 6.5 weeks of a complete application being lodged, though this varies with application volume and whether supporting evidence is complete on first submission. Incomplete work-experience or qualification evidence is the most common cause of delay.
Duration and the path to residence
- Visa length depends on the role’s skill level: up to 3 years for skill levels 4–5 roles, and longer for higher-skilled positions, subject to a five-year maximum stay under the AEWV before a worker needs to either qualify for residence or leave.
- The AEWV itself does not grant residence, but time and pay on an AEWV can count toward eligibility for the Skilled Migrant Category or other residence pathways, particularly for Green List occupations, which have faster, sometimes direct routes to residence.
Common mistakes applicants make
- Applying before the job check is approved. The visa application will be rejected outright if the referenced job check isn’t already cleared.
- Assuming any job offer qualifies. The employer must be accredited and have that specific role cleared through job check — a genuine offer from a non-accredited employer doesn’t count.
- Treating median wage as still mandatory. Confirm your offered pay against the current market rate for the specific role and region, not an outdated median-wage figure from before March 2025.
- Missing the qualification/experience evidence bar. “Level 4+ qualification” and “2+ years experience” are alternate, not additive, requirements — but INZ still expects documentary proof (payslips, tax records, or verified certificates) either way.
FAQ
Do I need a job offer before I can apply? Yes — the AEWV is entirely employer-led. You cannot lodge a visa application without an approved job check tied to a specific accredited employer and role.
Is the median wage requirement really gone? For the standard AEWV job check, yes, as of 10 March 2025 — it was replaced with a market-rate test. The median wage figure is still used for other visa categories, so don’t assume it’s irrelevant everywhere.
Can the AEWV lead to residence? Not directly, but time worked on an AEWV — especially in a Green List role — can count toward Skilled Migrant Category or other residence pathways.
This is general preparation guidance, not legal or immigration advice — always confirm current fees, wage thresholds and processing times directly with Immigration New Zealand before applying. If you’re preparing a work visa application, join the VisaMet waitlist for AI-assisted document checks and interview prep.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand — Accredited Employer Work Visa; Immigration New Zealand — AEWV occupation and wage changes.