Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Working In specialises in helping New Zealand employers secure skilled people from around the world.

What is an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)?

If your organisation already has employer accreditation and an approved Job Check from Immigration New Zealand (INZ), you’re ready for the third stage: submitting the Accredited Employer Work Visa application for your skilled migrant.

What do I need to do to submit an AEWV?

Before lodging, confirm the candidate’s eligibility and best pathway (for example, whether there is a residence route). We can manage this for you to de-risk the process for both candidate and employer.

We work with you to ensure your Job Check is in place and documents such as employment agreements and job descriptions are compliant and fit for purpose. Once confirmed, we prepare and lodge the application and handle post-lodgement liaison with INZ on your behalf.

Our team can manage any volume of submissions and create a bespoke immigration strategy for each role, candidate and recruitment campaign.

How long can workers stay on an AEWV?

For most roles, the maximum continuous stay on one or more AEWVs is up to 5 years; for skill level 4–5 roles, it is up to 3 years.

Once the visa expires, workers must return to their home country. That’s why it’s essential for employers to have a clear retention strategy in place. By planning ahead, such as transitioning workers to residency, you can ensure continuity and avoid the disruption of losing valuable skilled workers.

A clear retention strategy (for example, progressing to residence where eligible) helps you avoid disruption and keep critical skills in your business.

Need help with AEWV or retaining your workers? Get in touch.

We simplify the process and ensure you have the people you need. Working In has supported New Zealand employers with visas and immigration for over a decade. Complete the form below and we’ll talk you through the next steps.

Existing AEWV staff?

In many cases, you may be able to support another AEWV without a new Job Check where the employer, role, location and key employment terms remain the same and current policy settings are met (i.e. the reuse of job tokens under INZ rules). We’ll assess eligibility and advise the most efficient route.

Contact us today!