New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa 2025 – Step-by-Step Application Guide for Skilled Migrants

What Is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)?

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a work visa that allows skilled foreign workers to come to New Zealand to work for an accredited employer. This system was previously known as the Essential Skills Work Visa in 2022, but as of October 2025, it is the main route for most foreign workers who intend to work in New Zealand.

With this system in place, you only know the employer and that specific job you were hired for. However, when you change employer, you’ll need to apply for this visa again.

Eligibility Criteria for the New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

These are the eligibility criteria to apply for the New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa:

1. A Valid Job offer from an Accredited Employer 

The first requirement to apply for this visa is that you must have a full-time job offer from a New Zealand employer who is officially accredited. Also, according to the policy of the New Zealand immigration, the job must be for at least 30 hours per week and the employer must have completed a “Job Check”. If you’re unsure if your employer is accredited, high can check here. 

2. The Pay Must Be Above Median Wage 

According to the immigration rules of New Zealand, the salary for a foreign worker should be above the current median wage in New Zealand. As of October 2025, the median wage is NZD $35 per hour. So, if your job offer pays less than the median wage, your visa may not be approved. The only exception is if it falls under one of the special agreements.

3. You Must Have the Right Skill

It is important that your qualifications and work experience match the job you’re applying for. This is because the New Zealand immigration would compare your qualification level with the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) to ensure that it’s accurate. In fact, in some cases, your employer might help verify your experience instead of formal qualifications.

4. Clean Medical and Criminal Record

It is expected that applicants must be in good health and have no serious criminal record. To confirm this, immigration officers may ask you to submit a medical certificate and a police clearance certificate from every country you’ve lived in for 12 months. So, if you have any past medical conditions or criminal history, it’s better that you state them honestly without hiding them.

5. Passport and Proof of Identity

Applicants are required to provide a valid passport that will not expire for at least three months after their stay in New Zealand. Also, applicants should provide an identification card or supporting documents that match their other documents. If there’s a small change in the spelling of your name, it could delay your visa approval.

How to Apply for the New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for the New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa in October 2025;

Step 1. Get a Job Offer

As mentioned earlier, you need to get a job offer from an accredited employer in Australia. To find jobs, you could use job websites in New Zealand such as TradeMe Jobs, Seek.co.nz, and others. Once you’ve received a job offer, your prospective employer will send you an employment agreement and Job Token.

Step 2. Create Your Immigration New Zealand Account

After your employer has sent you the agreement and Job Token, you’ll need to sign up for an Immigration New Zealand Account. Ensure that you use your correct email address for this process. Immediately you create your account, the next thing is to click on the “Apply for a Visa” then choose the Accredited Employer Work Visa option from the other options that you’ll see.

Step 3. Fill the Form and Upload Documents 

The next step will be to fill out the form and upload documents. It is important to note that first, you’ll be asked to enter the Job Tone that your employer sent to you. Afterwards, you’ll be allowed to fill in your personal information like your Full Name, Date of Birth, Nationality, and Health Status. 

 Then, you’ll be requested to upload supporting documents in the process. Ensure that you’re honest in all the information you’ll provide. This is because providing wrong information can lead to a permanent ban if discovered.

Step 4. Pay your Visa Fees

Once you’ve uploaded everything, you’ll be displayed the payment page for your visa. As of October 2025, the total cost of the Accredited Employer Work Visa is around NZ $750 for the application fee and an immigration levy of about NZ $55. After payment, remember to always keep a copy of your receipt for future purposes.

Step 5. Wait for Visa Decision 

The visa processing usually takes about 4-8 weeks. So, it is important to check your emails regularly when it is closer to these dates. This is because during this period, immigration officers may contact you for extra information or documents. 

Conclusion 

Getting a New Zealand work visa is not as hard as it sounds. As you’ve seen, you just have to make sure that you’re employer has been accredited. Once that is settled, everything about the process is straightforward from then on. Note that, throughout this process, you need to enter your correct information from the start to the finish as New Zealand is really strict with protocols. You could earn a permanent ban by just entering the wrong information.