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Accredited Employer Work Visa
work visa
Accredited Employer Work Visa
AEWV work visa
The AEWV is the main temporary work visa in New Zealand. It allows a migrant to work in New Zealand for an accredited employer for up to 3-5 years.The AEWV scheme is designed to ensure New Zealanders are first in line for jobs and makes it easier for employers to hire skilled migrants where genuine skill or labour shortages exist.
As at 31 August 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has approved 161,780 AEWV applications since the scheme opened. There are currently 25,166 accredited employers and 82,358 AEWV holders.
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There are 3 steps in the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme process — employer accreditation, job check and the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
1, Employer Accreditation processIn order to apply for an AEWV, the employer must first apply for and be granted employer accreditation.
You can apply for 1 of 3 different types of accreditation depending on your business and how many migrants you want to hire:-standard accreditation is for New Zealand businesses who want to hire up to 5 migrants.-high-volume accreditation is for New Zealand businesses who want to hire 6 or more migrants.-triangular employer accreditation is for New Zealand businesses who place migrants with controlling third parties while being the direct employer, there is no limit to the number of migrants you can hire.
2, Job CheckOnce your accreditation is approved, you can submit an application for a job check. The job check application can include multiple positions for the same job, pay, location and minimum requirements. If you advertised the job, you have to apply for a job check within 90 days of your job advertisement closing. Job checks are valid for 6 months or until you no longer have accreditation. Once a job check is approved, a migrant can apply for an AEWV.
3, Accredited Employer Work Visa process
To apply you must:-have an offer of full-time work from an accredited employer.-meet at least 2 years work experience and/or qualification requirements depending on your job.-meet other requirements depending on the skill level required for your job.-show you can speak and understand English, if your job is on the ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 list and not exempt.-meet the other requirements of this visa such as good health and good character.
If your job is at ANZSCO level 4 or 5:• you must show that you can speak and understand English (IELTS 4.0)• you may have a shorter total time you can stay in New Zealand of 3 years instead of 5 years.
If your job is recognised as ANZSCO skill level 1-3 • you do not have to show that you can speak and understand English.
Partner and dependent children
You cannot include your partner and dependent children in an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). However, if you have an AEWV you may be able to support them to apply for:• a visitor visa for your partner• a work visa for your partner• visitor visas for your children• student visas for your children.Supporting a visa for your partner or dependent children depends on how much you earn and your job skill level on ANZSCO.
1, Employer Accreditation processIn order to apply for an AEWV, the employer must first apply for and be granted employer accreditation.
You can apply for 1 of 3 different types of accreditation depending on your business and how many migrants you want to hire:-standard accreditation is for New Zealand businesses who want to hire up to 5 migrants.-high-volume accreditation is for New Zealand businesses who want to hire 6 or more migrants.-triangular employer accreditation is for New Zealand businesses who place migrants with controlling third parties while being the direct employer, there is no limit to the number of migrants you can hire.
2, Job CheckOnce your accreditation is approved, you can submit an application for a job check. The job check application can include multiple positions for the same job, pay, location and minimum requirements. If you advertised the job, you have to apply for a job check within 90 days of your job advertisement closing. Job checks are valid for 6 months or until you no longer have accreditation. Once a job check is approved, a migrant can apply for an AEWV.
3, Accredited Employer Work Visa process
To apply you must:-have an offer of full-time work from an accredited employer.-meet at least 2 years work experience and/or qualification requirements depending on your job.-meet other requirements depending on the skill level required for your job.-show you can speak and understand English, if your job is on the ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 list and not exempt.-meet the other requirements of this visa such as good health and good character.
If your job is at ANZSCO level 4 or 5:• you must show that you can speak and understand English (IELTS 4.0)• you may have a shorter total time you can stay in New Zealand of 3 years instead of 5 years.
If your job is recognised as ANZSCO skill level 1-3 • you do not have to show that you can speak and understand English.
Partner and dependent children
You cannot include your partner and dependent children in an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). However, if you have an AEWV you may be able to support them to apply for:• a visitor visa for your partner• a work visa for your partner• visitor visas for your children• student visas for your children.Supporting a visa for your partner or dependent children depends on how much you earn and your job skill level on ANZSCO.
NOL occupations that can be used for an AEWV work visa from 3 November 2025:
Table 1: NOL skill level 1 occupationsNOL code Occupation832117 Horticulture Post-Harvest Leading Hand841227 Fruit Production Leading Hand841228 Indoor Crop Production Leading Hand841231 Outdoor Crop Leading Hand
Table 2: NOL skill level 2 occupationsNOL code Occupation399522 Foley Artist
Table 3: NOL skill level 3 occupationsNOL code Occupation311113 Irrigation Technician311417 Calibration Technician311418 Drug and Alcohol Tester312917 Wind Turbine Technician312918 Geothermal Technician312921 Non Destructive Testing Technician312922 Irrigation Performance Assessor312924 Cabinetry CAD Drawer312925 Joinery Detailer312926 Lifting Equipment Technician321112 Electric Vehicle Mechanic or Technician321215 Bicycle Technician323114 Vehicle Integration Technician323216 Agricultural Equipment Technician323217 Heavy Equipment Technician323218 CNC Programmer - Solid Timber Joinery323221 Senior Fleet Tyre Technician331113 Concreter (Commercial)331215 Joinery Site Joiner331216 Joinery Apprentice331217 Joinery Installer333312 Waterproofer361116 Animal Trainer393214 Milliner394112 Cabinetry Installer394215 Joinery Machinist394216 Joinery Technician394217 Joinery Practitioner - Generalist394218 Joinery Finisher399518 Performing Arts, Entertainment and Events Technician399921 Fibre Composite Technician399922 Electronic Security System and Alarm Technician399923 Snowsport Equipment Technician411312 Lifestyles Coordinator411718 Dementia Navigator423124 Dementia Homeshare Coordinator423125 Support Worker (Mental Health and Addiction)423126 Health Coach431312 Senior Gaming Worker431413 Concierge431914 Winery Senior Cellar Hand451313 Crematorium Technician452112 Aqua Exercise Instructor452113 Group Fitness Instructor452114 Personal Trainer452218 Adventure Tourism Operator452326 Tennis Coach - Performance452415 Athlete711115 Production Supervisor, Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing711315 Production Supervisor, Paper, Pulp and Wood Processing711517 Production Supervisor, Plastics and Rubber Production711717 Production Supervisor, Textile and Footwear Production711915 Hazardous Materials Removalist712214 Horizontal Direction Drilling Worker712312 CNC Operator - Solid Timber Joinery721113 Agrichemical Spraying Operator721114 Groundspread Nutrient Applicator731113 Oversize Load Pilot Escort811212 Power Wash Technician821413 Solar Installer821715 Rope Access Technician821716 Load Lifting Rigger (Rope Fabrication)831122 Production Supervisor, Food and Drink Processing831314 Production Supervisor, Meat Processing831315 Production Supervisor, Poultry Processing831316 Production Supervisor, Seafood Processing832116 Horticulture Post-Harvest Supervisor841112 Aquaculture Farm Supervisor841218 Field Crop Farm Supervisor841221 Outdoor Crop Production Supervisor841222 Fruit Production Supervisor841223 Indoor Crop Production Supervisor841224 Vineyard Supervisor841226 Mixed Crop Farm Supervisor841314 Forestry Supervisor841317 Silviculture Operator841413 Nursery Production Supervisor841521 Mixed Livestock Farm Supervisor841526 Beef Cattle Farm Supervisor841527 Sheep Farm Supervisor841531 Other Livestock Farm Supervisor841532 Poultry Farm Supervisor841533 Senior Piggery Stockperson841612 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Supervisor841918 Irrigation Manager899416 Senior Tyre Technician
Table 3: NOL skill level 3 occupationsNOL code Occupation311113 Irrigation Technician311417 Calibration Technician311418 Drug and Alcohol Tester312917 Wind Turbine Technician312918 Geothermal Technician312921 Non Destructive Testing Technician312922 Irrigation Performance Assessor312924 Cabinetry CAD Drawer312925 Joinery Detailer312926 Lifting Equipment Technician321112 Electric Vehicle Mechanic or Technician321215 Bicycle Technician323114 Vehicle Integration Technician323216 Agricultural Equipment Technician323217 Heavy Equipment Technician323218 CNC Programmer - Solid Timber Joinery323221 Senior Fleet Tyre Technician331113 Concreter (Commercial)331215 Joinery Site Joiner331216 Joinery Apprentice331217 Joinery Installer333312 Waterproofer361116 Animal Trainer393214 Milliner394112 Cabinetry Installer394215 Joinery Machinist394216 Joinery Technician394217 Joinery Practitioner - Generalist394218 Joinery Finisher399518 Performing Arts, Entertainment and Events Technician399921 Fibre Composite Technician399922 Electronic Security System and Alarm Technician399923 Snowsport Equipment Technician411312 Lifestyles Coordinator411718 Dementia Navigator423124 Dementia Homeshare Coordinator423125 Support Worker (Mental Health and Addiction)423126 Health Coach431312 Senior Gaming Worker431413 Concierge431914 Winery Senior Cellar Hand451313 Crematorium Technician452112 Aqua Exercise Instructor452113 Group Fitness Instructor452114 Personal Trainer452218 Adventure Tourism Operator452326 Tennis Coach - Performance452415 Athlete711115 Production Supervisor, Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing711315 Production Supervisor, Paper, Pulp and Wood Processing711517 Production Supervisor, Plastics and Rubber Production711717 Production Supervisor, Textile and Footwear Production711915 Hazardous Materials Removalist712214 Horizontal Direction Drilling Worker712312 CNC Operator - Solid Timber Joinery721113 Agrichemical Spraying Operator721114 Groundspread Nutrient Applicator731113 Oversize Load Pilot Escort811212 Power Wash Technician821413 Solar Installer821715 Rope Access Technician821716 Load Lifting Rigger (Rope Fabrication)831122 Production Supervisor, Food and Drink Processing831314 Production Supervisor, Meat Processing831315 Production Supervisor, Poultry Processing831316 Production Supervisor, Seafood Processing832116 Horticulture Post-Harvest Supervisor841112 Aquaculture Farm Supervisor841218 Field Crop Farm Supervisor841221 Outdoor Crop Production Supervisor841222 Fruit Production Supervisor841223 Indoor Crop Production Supervisor841224 Vineyard Supervisor841226 Mixed Crop Farm Supervisor841314 Forestry Supervisor841317 Silviculture Operator841413 Nursery Production Supervisor841521 Mixed Livestock Farm Supervisor841526 Beef Cattle Farm Supervisor841527 Sheep Farm Supervisor841531 Other Livestock Farm Supervisor841532 Poultry Farm Supervisor841533 Senior Piggery Stockperson841612 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Supervisor841918 Irrigation Manager899416 Senior Tyre Technician