Are you a New Zealand foreign student seeking an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)? Then this blog is for you.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is changing in 2025. These updates make it possible for you to remain and work in New Zealand after your studies. Therefore, what is new, and how does it impact your future?
In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about the Accredited Employer Work Visa, including who can make an application, the steps to discover an accredited employer sponsor, and the changes in 2025.
MEANING OF ACCREDITED EMPLOYER WORK VISA (AEWV)
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) permits you to work for a government-endorsed employer in New Zealand.
What does an accredited employer mean?
An accredited employer is an enterprise endorsed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to employ skilled migrant employees with insufficient local skills to fill skills deficits in sectors.
If your employment is in demand and satisfies the requirements, this visa could also be your stepping stone to permanent residency.
ALSO SEE: HOW TO GET PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN NEW ZEALAND: COMPLETE GUIDE
MAJOR CHANGES TO THE AEWV IN 2025
The 2025 updates are making it even simpler for foreign students like you to reside and get employed in New Zealand after their studies. Therefore, what is changing?
- Absence of the median wage condition
You are not required to earn $29.66 hourly. Your income is required to align with the market rate and be a minimum of $23.50 hourly. This makes available paths for more employment prospects, mostly in sectors that initially fought to satisfy the income threshold.
- Fewer job skills required
If you do not have skills, you are lucky. Starting on 10 March 2025, the compulsory job skill for migrants has been reduced from 36 months to 24 months.
- More employees were upgraded to skilled positions.
Most professions are currently regarded as ANZSCO Level 3, which qualifies them for prolonged visas and prospective residency routes.
- More extended visas for lower-skilled employment
If you work in an ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 profession, you can live in New Zealand for 36 months rather than experience shorter visa conditions. This implies more stability and time to obtain domestic job skills.
- Higher earnings are needed to support dependent children.
To relocate your children to New Zealand, you must currently earn a minimum of $55,844 annually (initially $43,322.76). This will be updated annually depending on income changes.
ACCREDITED EMPLOYER WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS
Having understood that the Accredited Employer work visa is becoming more adjustable, you may be wondering if you are eligible.
To be qualified, you require more than just enthusiasm and luggage. Below is what Immigration New Zealand (INZ) demands:
- An authentic employment offer from an accredited employer: You are required to get a position with a New Zealand-accredited employer, implying a business endorsed to employ migrant employees. Not certain of the way to discover one? Do not worry.
- Satisfy the pay and skill level conditions: Your income is required to align with the market rate for your employment and be a minimum of the New Zealand minimum income, which is $23.50 from April 2025. Employment is also required to satisfy certain ANZSCO skill level conditions.
- Pass health and conduct reviews: You will be required to ascertain that you are in good health and possess no severe criminal record.
- Your employment is required to match the AEWV qualification. Most positions are categorized under the ANZSCO skill levels, which affect the visa period and prospective residence routes. With the 2025 modifications, more professions are currently identified as higher-skilled, providing you with ideal visa conditions.
If you pass all these boxes, you are on the right track.
STEP-BY-STEP ACCREDITED EMPLOYER WORK VISA APPLICATION GUIDE
Having satisfied the conditions for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, it is now time to apply. The application procedure is not as complicated as it sounds. Observe the steps below, and you will be closer to working in New Zealand.
- Discover an accredited employer.
Not all employers in New Zealand can support your visa. You require an employment offer from an accredited employer, a firm authorized by Immigration New Zealand to employ skilled migrant employees.
- Obtain an official employment offer and agreement.
When an accredited employer desires to employ you, they will offer an official employment offer and job contract. These documents highlight your income, employment title, and working requirements, which are required to satisfy the needed market rate and ANZSCO skill level.
- Review visa qualification conditions
Before making an application, review that you satisfy all Accredited Employer Work Visa standards:
- Your employment is required to align with the ANZSCO skill levels qualified for this visa.
- Your income must be at least the New Zealand minimum income or market rate for your position.
- You are required to pass health and conduct reviews.
Present your AEWV request online.
When everything is perfect, it is time to make an application. You will be required to present your visa request via Immigration New Zealand’s online portal.
Ensure you upload all the relevant documents, which include:
- Your employment offer
- Evidence of certifications
- Health or police licenses
Ensure you review your request before presenting. Ensure you do not omit any document.
- Wait for authorization and plan your relocation.
Visa processing durations differ; however, once endorsed, you can begin getting ready for your new life in New Zealand. Schedule your flight, discover a place to live, and prepare to start your foreign profession.
HOW TO DISCOVER AN ACCREDITED EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP IN NEW ZEALAND
After knowing how to apply for an Accredited Employer work visa (AEWV), the issue is how to discover an employer who can support you. Contrary to discovering casual student employment, this demands a little more strategy.
- Review the official accredited employer list.
Immigration New Zealand maintains a frequently updated list of employers endorsed to employ migrant employees. If an employer is not mentioned on the list, it can not sponsor your Accredited Employer Work Visa. You can discover this permit on the Immigration New Zealand webpage.
- Seek employment ads that declare visa sponsorship.
When searching for employment sites online, monitor for keywords such as Accredited Employer, work visa available, or visa sponsorship given. If an employer is ready to sponsor your visa, they will often be vocal about it on the employment listing.
- Reach out to recruitment agencies.
Recruitment agencies can save you stress, as they are the matchmakers of the employment market. Most agencies are skilled in employing skilled migrants and operate directly with accredited employers. They carry out the heavy task of linking you with firms seeking employees like you.
- Connect like your future relies on it.
Not every employment is revealed online. Most employers choose word-of-mouth referrals; therefore, networking can be game-changing.
- Be part of sector ceremonies.
- Link with experts on LinkedIn
- Contact employers directly with an easy introductory message.
Discovering the right employer might take a little time, but with the ideal technique, persistence, and a little networking magic, you can boost your prospects of getting that dream occupation and visa.