New Zealand continues to attract skilled workers from around the world through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). The AEWV is one of New Zealand’s main temporary work visa pathways for people who have a genuine job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

For applicants from countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and other international labour markets, understanding the AEWV process is particularly important because eligibility depends on the employer, job, skill level, qualifications or experience, English requirements and visa conditions.

As of 2026, New Zealand is also continuing its transition from the ANZSCO occupation classification system to the National Occupation List (NOL) for AEWV purposes. (Immigration New Zealand)

This guide explains the New Zealand AEWV process, eligibility requirements, IELTS rules, job requirements, costs, processing times, family options and potential residence pathways.

What Is the New Zealand AEWV?

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a New Zealand work visa for people who have a full-time job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand.

The job must generally provide at least 30 hours of work per week, and the employer must have an approved Job Check for the position before the worker can apply for the visa. (Immigration New Zealand)

The AEWV can allow an eligible applicant to:

Work for an accredited New Zealand employer
Stay in New Zealand for a period determined by the job and visa conditions
Change employers or occupation through the appropriate immigration process
Potentially support eligible family members for separate visas
Potentially use the employment as part of a future residence pathway, where the applicant meets the requirements

The AEWV itself is not automatically a residence visa. Whether employment can lead to residence depends on the occupation, salary, qualifications, registration and the requirements of the applicable residence pathway.

New Zealand AEWV 2026: Key Facts

Requirement	Current information
Visa	Accredited Employer Work Visa
Minimum job offer	At least 30 hours per week
Employer	Must be AEWV accredited
Job Check	Generally required
Visa fee	From NZD $1,540
Processing	80% within about 5.5 weeks
Maximum stay	Up to 5 years in eligible circumstances
English	Generally required for ANZSCO/NOL skill levels 3–5
Skill levels	ANZSCO/NOL levels 1–5
Residence	May lead to residence depending on pathway

INZ currently lists the AEWV cost from NZD $1,540 and says 80% of applications are processed within approximately 5.5 weeks, although individual cases can take longer. (Immigration New Zealand)

Who Can Apply for an AEWV?

An applicant generally needs to satisfy several requirements.

1. A genuine job offer

You need a genuine offer of full-time employment from an accredited employer.

The position must normally provide at least 30 hours of work per week. (Immigration New Zealand)

2. An accredited employer

Not every New Zealand business can sponsor AEWV workers.

The employer must hold the appropriate Immigration New Zealand accreditation to employ migrants through the AEWV system.

3. An approved Job Check

The employer generally needs an approved Job Check for the position.

The Job Check is part of New Zealand’s employer-led immigration system and helps INZ assess whether the role, recruitment process and employment conditions meet the relevant requirements.

4. Appropriate skills and experience

Applicants need to demonstrate that they have the skills and/or qualifications required for their particular occupation and job.

The exact requirements depend on the occupation and its applicable skill level.

5. Good health and character

Applicants must also meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements and demonstrate a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand. (Immigration New Zealand)

How the AEWV Employer Process Works

One of the most important things applicants should understand is that an AEWV is not simply a visa application.

There is an employer-side process before the worker can normally apply.

Step 1: Employer Accreditation

The employer applies to Immigration New Zealand for accreditation.

Current accreditation fees include:

Standard accreditation: NZD $775
High-volume accreditation: NZD $1,280
Triangular accreditation: NZD $4,060

These are employer-side fees, not the worker’s AEWV application fee. (Immigration New Zealand)

Step 2: Job Check

The employer submits the position for a Job Check.

The current Job Check fee is NZD $735. (Immigration New Zealand)

Depending on the position, the employer may also need to advertise the vacancy and demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit suitable New Zealanders.

INZ states that employers generally must advertise unless an applicable exemption applies, such as certain Green List positions or jobs paying at least NZD $70 per hour. (Immigration New Zealand)

Step 3: Job Offer

After the Job Check is approved, the employer can provide the eligible migrant worker with the information needed to apply.

The applicant normally receives a link or invitation to complete the online AEWV application.

Step 4: Worker Applies for the AEWV

The applicant submits the visa application and supporting documents.

INZ then assesses the applicant’s:

Identity
Employment
Qualifications
Work experience
English ability where required
Health
Character
Genuine intention
Compliance with visa requirements

Is IELTS Required for New Zealand AEWV?

This is one of the most common questions from Pakistani applicants.

IELTS is not required for every AEWV applicant.

The English requirement depends primarily on the skill level of the job.

For jobs classified at ANZSCO or NOL skill levels 3 to 5, applicants generally need to demonstrate that they can speak and understand English. For skill levels 1 and 2, there is generally no English-language requirement for the AEWV itself. (Immigration New Zealand)

Therefore, applicants should not assume that every New Zealand AEWV job requires IELTS.

The exact evidence accepted by INZ can depend on citizenship, previous study/work circumstances and English-language testing.

If an English test is required, INZ specifies the accepted test and minimum score requirements. Test results generally need to be no more than two years old when applying. (Immigration New Zealand)

Important 2026 change

English-language requirements now apply to ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations as well as levels 4 and 5, subject to specific transitional exemptions. (Immigration New Zealand)

This makes checking the exact occupation and skill classification particularly important before applying.

AEWV Skill Levels 1 to 5 Explained

New Zealand uses occupation classifications to determine the skill level of jobs.

The levels generally run from:

Level 1 → Highest skill level

Level 5 → Lower skill level

However, the skill level alone does not determine whether an applicant qualifies. The actual occupation, duties, qualifications, experience and employer requirements also matter.

Skill Levels 1–2

For AEWV purposes, jobs at these levels generally do not require evidence of English ability.

Skill Level 3

English requirements generally apply to these roles under the current rules.

Skill Levels 4–5

English requirements also generally apply, and some roles can have different maximum-stay and family-support consequences.

For certain skill level 4 or 5 occupations, the maximum continuous stay on AEWVs may be 3 years rather than 5 years. (Immigration New Zealand)

National Occupation List (NOL) and AEWV

A significant development in New Zealand’s immigration system is the introduction of the National Occupation List (NOL).

NOL is gradually replacing ANZSCO for certain immigration purposes.

On 9 March 2026, New Zealand recognised 47 additional NOL occupations at skill levels 1 to 3 for AEWV applications. (Immigration New Zealand)

Examples include occupations such as:

Biomedical Technician
CAD Draftsperson
Environmental Technician
Chef de Partie
Sous Chef
Accounting Practice Manager
Emergency Medical Technician
Aged Care Coordinator
Videographer
Virtual Reality Specialist
Enterprise Architect

The complete occupation list should always be checked against the latest INZ information because NOL implementation is continuing. (Immigration New Zealand)

New Zealand AEWV Salary Requirements

A major change occurred in March 2025, when the general median-wage requirement for AEWV applications was removed.

However, salary remains extremely important because wages can affect:

Job eligibility
Skill assessment
Family support
Green List requirements
Residence pathways
Maximum stay
Other immigration thresholds

From 9 March 2026, New Zealand’s immigration median wage increased to NZD $35 per hour. (Immigration New Zealand)

This does not mean every AEWV job must pay NZD $35 per hour.

Instead, applicants need to look at the specific occupation, employment agreement, immigration pathway and any applicable wage thresholds.

What Documents Are Required for an AEWV?

Depending on the applicant and occupation, common documents can include:

Personal documents

Valid passport
Passport photographs
National identity documents where applicable
Previous visa information

Employment documents

New Zealand job offer
Employment agreement
Job description
Employer/job information
Job Check information or relevant application details

Qualification documents

Degree or diploma
Professional certificates
Trade qualifications
Registration documents where required

Experience documents

Employer reference letters
Experience certificates
Payslips
Employment contracts
Tax or social-security evidence where appropriate

English evidence

Where required:

IELTS or another accepted English test
Evidence of qualifying study/work/citizenship circumstances where applicable

Health and character

Depending on circumstances, applicants may need:

Medical examination
Chest X-ray
Police certificates

The exact document list can vary by applicant and occupation.

Occupational Registration

Some professions in New Zealand require professional registration before a person can legally work in that occupation.

This can be particularly important for regulated professions such as certain:

Healthcare occupations
Teaching roles
Engineering-related professions
Trades
Other regulated occupations

Having a degree does not automatically mean that an applicant has permission to practise a regulated profession in New Zealand.

Applicants should therefore check whether occupational registration is required for their specific job.

AEWV Jobs in New Zealand

The AEWV covers a wide range of occupations.

Potential opportunities can exist across areas such as:

Healthcare

Nurses
Healthcare professionals
Aged-care roles
Allied health occupations

Construction and Trades

Electricians
Plumbers
Welders
Construction workers
Technicians

Hospitality

Chefs
Sous chefs
Chef de Partie
Other hospitality occupations

Information Technology

Software professionals
IT specialists
Enterprise architects
Technology-related occupations

Engineering

Engineers
Engineering technicians
Technical specialists

Agriculture and Horticulture

Agricultural occupations
Horticulture roles
Machinery operators

However, applicants should not treat a job title alone as proof of AEWV eligibility. The actual duties, occupation classification, qualifications, experience, employer and Job Check all matter.

Can AEWV Holders Bring Their Family?

The AEWV does not simply add a spouse and children to the same visa application.

Depending on the worker’s job, wage and visa conditions, an AEWV holder may be able to support separate visas for:

Partner
Dependent children

The rules vary according to the skill level and remuneration of the worker’s occupation.

INZ also states that there are no English-language requirements for eligible partner and dependent-child visas supported by an AEWV holder. (Immigration New Zealand)

Because family eligibility can change according to occupation and salary, applicants should check the current rules before making family arrangements.

Can AEWV Lead to New Zealand Permanent Residence?

An AEWV is a temporary work visa, but employment in New Zealand can potentially connect with a residence pathway.

Whether you can qualify depends on factors such as:

Your occupation
Salary
Qualifications
New Zealand work experience
Professional registration
Whether your role is on the Green List
Skilled residence requirements
Your personal circumstances

Possible residence pathways can include relevant Green List pathways and the Skilled Migrant Category, where the applicant meets the applicable requirements.

Therefore, an AEWV should not be marketed as an automatic route to permanent residence.

AEWV Visa Cost

As of the current INZ information, the AEWV application cost starts at:

NZD $1,540

The final cost structure can depend on the application circumstances and applicable immigration charges. (Immigration New Zealand)

Applicants should distinguish between:

Employer costs

and

Worker visa costs.

Employer accreditation and Job Check fees are separate from the worker’s AEWV application fee. (Immigration New Zealand)

AEWV Processing Time

Immigration New Zealand currently states that 80% of AEWV applications are processed within approximately 5.5 weeks.

This is an indicative processing timeframe rather than a guarantee. (Immigration New Zealand)

Processing can be affected by:

Missing documents
Verification requirements
Health checks
Character checks
Qualification verification
Employer issues
Additional information requests
Complex employment circumstances

Submitting a complete and accurate application can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Common AEWV Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should be particularly careful about the following issues.

1. Paying for a fake job offer

A genuine New Zealand employment opportunity should be independently verified.

Be extremely cautious if someone promises a guaranteed visa or guaranteed job in exchange for a large payment.

2. Assuming IELTS is always required

IELTS is not universally required for AEWV applicants. The English requirement depends on the job’s skill level and the applicable rules. (Immigration New Zealand)

3. Choosing the wrong occupation

A person’s degree title does not automatically determine their immigration occupation.

The actual duties performed in the job matter.

4. Using fake experience documents

False employment references, fake certificates or misleading documents can create serious immigration problems.

5. Ignoring employer accreditation

Before relying on a job offer, applicants should verify that the employer is appropriately accredited.

6. Assuming AEWV equals PR

The AEWV is a work visa. Residence requires meeting the requirements of a separate residence pathway.

New Zealand AEWV 2026: Important Changes to Know

The New Zealand work-visa environment continues to evolve.

Some of the important 2026 developments include:

Expansion of NOL occupations recognised for AEWV purposes
Continued transition from ANZSCO to NOL
English requirements applying to relevant skill level 3 positions
Immigration median wage increasing to NZD $35 per hour from 9 March 2026
Continued changes to family-support thresholds
Different treatment of some lower-skilled occupations
Continued employer-led accreditation and Job Check requirements (Immigration New Zealand)

Because New Zealand immigration rules can change, applicants should verify requirements directly with Immigration New Zealand before submitting an application.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Zealand AEWV

Is IELTS mandatory for AEWV?

No. IELTS is not mandatory for every AEWV applicant. English evidence is generally required for jobs at ANZSCO/NOL skill levels 3–5, while skill levels 1–2 generally do not have an English requirement for the AEWV. (Immigration New Zealand)

How long can I stay in New Zealand on an AEWV?

Eligible AEWV holders can stay for up to five years in some circumstances. For certain skill level 4 or 5 roles, the maximum continuous stay can be three years. (Immigration New Zealand)

Can I apply for AEWV without a job offer?

Generally, no. The AEWV requires a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer with the appropriate Job Check. (Immigration New Zealand)

Can an AEWV lead to residence?

It can potentially contribute to a residence pathway, but an AEWV does not automatically provide permanent residence.

Can I bring my wife and children?

Depending on the occupation, wage and applicable rules, an AEWV holder may be able to support separate visas for a partner and dependent children. (Immigration New Zealand)

What is the AEWV application fee?

The current INZ page lists the AEWV cost from NZD $1,540. (Immigration New Zealand)

How many hours must the job offer provide?

The job offer must generally be for at least 30 hours per week. (Immigration New Zealand)

Is there a minimum salary for every AEWV job?

The general median-wage requirement for AEWV was removed in 2025, but salary remains relevant to several immigration settings and individual job/occupation requirements. (Immigration New Zealand)

Final Thoughts

The New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) 2026 remains an important pathway for overseas workers who have the skills and experience required by New Zealand employers.

The most important point is that the process starts with a genuine employment opportunity from an accredited employer, rather than simply purchasing a visa package.

Applicants should carefully verify:

Whether the employer is accredited
Whether the position has an approved Job Check
The occupation’s ANZSCO/NOL classification
Qualification and experience requirements
English-language requirements
Salary and employment conditions
Occupational registration, if applicable
Health and character requirements
Family-visa eligibility
Whether the employment can connect to a future residence pathway

For Pakistani applicants, checking the specific occupation and employer is particularly important before paying any recruitment or consultancy fees.

Always verify the latest requirements with Immigration New Zealand before applying, because immigration rules, occupation lists, wage thresholds and processing arrangements can change.