The Accredited Employer Work Visa is New Zealand's primary temporary work visa for skilled workers. To qualify, you need a full-time job offer (at least 30 hours per week) from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand, plus either 2 years of relevant work experience or a level 4+ qualification. The visa costs from NZD $1,540, lasts up to 5 years for skilled roles, and connects directly to New Zealand's residence pathways.
The system changed significantly in 2025 and 2026. The median wage threshold was removed in March 2025, visa durations were rebalanced by skill level, and from 24 August 2026 two new work-to-residence pathways open for AEWV holders. This guide covers the current rules, every fee in the pipeline, and how the AEWV compares with New Zealand's two residence visas. For the structured data view, see our AEWV pathway page.
What Is the Accredited Employer Work Visa?
The AEWV launched on 4 July 2022 and replaced six older work visa categories, including the Essential Skills Work Visa and the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa. The core idea is employer-led gatekeeping: instead of assessing every worker against a labour market test, Immigration New Zealand accredits employers up front, then checks each individual job before a worker can apply.
That structure means the process has three sequential stages. Your employer gets accredited, your specific role passes a job check, and only then do you submit the visa application. You cannot apply for an AEWV without a job offer from an employer on the accredited employer register. Job hunting comes first, paperwork second.
What Are the Accredited Employer Visa Requirements?
You need a full-time job offer of at least 30 hours per week from an accredited employer with an approved job check, plus either 2 years of relevant work experience or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the NZQCF. No English test is required for the visa itself, and since 10 March 2025 there is no median wage threshold.
- Full-time job offer (minimum 30 hours/week) from an Immigration NZ accredited employer
- The role must have an approved job check before you apply
- 2+ years of relevant work experience, or an NZQCF level 4+ qualification
- Pay at or above the market rate for the role (the median wage threshold was removed on 10 March 2025; the legal floor is the NZ minimum wage)
- Health and character requirements, including a full police certificate at application (a receipt is no longer enough since December 2025)
- No English language test required for the AEWV itself
One detail that catches applicants out: work experience must be evidenced with employment certificates, payslips, or tax records. A CV alone does not satisfy Immigration New Zealand. Gather this documentation before the job check is approved, because the visa application window moves quickly once it is.
How Much Does the AEWV Cost? Full 2026 Fee Breakdown
The AEWV application fee starts at NZD $1,540 per applicant. Employers pay their own fees for accreditation and job checks. If you continue to residence, the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa costs from NZD $6,450. Here is the complete work-to-residence fee picture, from first accreditation to permanent residence.
| Fee item | Who pays | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| Employer accreditation (standard, up to 5 hires) | Employer | $775 |
| Employer accreditation (high-volume, 6+ hires) | Employer | $1,280 |
| Job check (per role) | Employer | $735 |
| AEWV application (per applicant) | Worker | from $1,540 |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Worker | from $6,450 |
| Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1) | Worker | from $6,450 |
Total worker-side cost for the full AEWV-to-residence journey is roughly NZD $7,990 in government fees (AEWV plus SMC), spread over 2 to 3 years. Employers cannot legally pass their accreditation or job check costs on to you. Verify the current amounts on the official fees page before budgeting, since Immigration New Zealand revises fees periodically.
How Long Does the AEWV Last?
AEWV duration depends on the skill level of your role. Jobs classified at ANZSCO skill levels 1 to 3 get a visa of up to 5 years. Roles at levels 4 and 5 are capped at a maximum continuous stay of 3 years, a rule in force since 10 March 2025. The visa is tied to the accredited employer and role on your job check, so changing employers requires a new job check and a variation or new application.
Processing is fast by international standards: Immigration New Zealand completes 80% of AEWV applications within 7 weeks. The slower parts are usually upstream, getting the employer accredited and the job check approved. Budget 2 to 4 months for the full pipeline from signed offer to visa grant.
Is the AEWV your fastest route, or is there a better one?
Transita checks your profile against the AEWV, Skilled Migrant Category, and Straight to Residence, then compares New Zealand against Australia, Canada, the UK, and 20+ other destinations in one pass. Free, no account needed.
Check my New Zealand optionsThe Three-Stage AEWV Process
- Stage 1 — Employer accreditation: Your employer applies to Immigration New Zealand for accreditation (NZD $775 standard). They must show they are a genuine, financially viable business with no recent immigration or employment law breaches. First-time accreditation lasts 12 months; renewals last longer.
- Stage 2 — Job check: The employer submits the specific role for approval (NZD $735). This confirms the job is full-time, pays the market rate, and that the employer advertised it to New Zealanders where required. An approved job check generates a token the employer passes to you.
- Stage 3 — Your visa application: Using the job check token, you apply online (from NZD $1,540) with evidence of your work experience or qualification, a full police certificate, identity documents, and a chest X-ray where required. 80% of applications are decided within 7 weeks.
Does the AEWV Lead to Residence?
Yes. The AEWV is a temporary visa, but it feeds New Zealand's residence system directly. There is no standalone "accredited employer resident visa": the residence step runs through the Skilled Migrant Category or, for Green List Tier 1 occupations, the Straight to Residence Visa. Time worked on your AEWV earns the points and in-country experience those visas require.
Route 1: Skilled Migrant Category (most AEWV holders)
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa uses a 6-points system built from your qualifications, occupational registration, income, or NZ work experience. You must be 55 or younger, hold skilled employment with an accredited employer, and meet the wage threshold: NZD $35.00 per hour for ANZSCO level 1 to 3 roles from 9 March 2026 (NZD $52.50 for level 4 to 5 roles). The fee starts at NZD $6,450. Full criteria are on the official SMC page.
Route 2: Straight to Residence (Green List Tier 1)
If your occupation sits on Green List Tier 1 (many health, engineering, and ICT roles), you can skip the AEWV stage entirely. The Straight to Residence Visa grants residence immediately with a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer. It costs from NZD $6,450 and 80% of applications are processed within 5 months. After 2 years you can apply for the Permanent Resident Visa with unrestricted travel rights.
New from 24 August 2026: two extra work-to-residence pathways
Immigration New Zealand has announced two additional SMC pathways opening on 24 August 2026. The Trades and Technician pathway targets workers with a level 4+ qualification and at least 4 years of relevant experience, including 1.5 years in New Zealand at the SMC median wage. The Skilled Work Experience pathway requires 5 years of directly relevant experience, with 2 years in New Zealand at 1.1 times the SMC median wage.
Two caveats: occupations on the red list are excluded from both new pathways, and amber-list roles need 2 NZ years at 1.2 times the median wage. From 2027, AEWV holders will also be able to extend their visa specifically to finish the work experience a residence application needs. Details are in the official announcement.
AEWV vs Skilled Migrant Category vs Straight to Residence
| Factor | AEWV | Skilled Migrant Category | Straight to Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Temporary work | Residence | Residence (immediate) |
| Government fee | from NZD $1,540 | from NZD $6,450 | from NZD $6,450 |
| Job offer needed | Yes, accredited employer | Yes, skilled role with accredited employer | Yes, Green List Tier 1 role |
| Wage requirement | Market rate (no threshold) | NZD $35.00/hr (levels 1–3) | NZD $35.00/hr or job-specific rate |
| English test | No | Yes | Yes |
| Points system | No | Yes, 6 points | No |
| Processing (80%) | 7 weeks | EOI then invited application | 5 months |
| Duration | Up to 5 years | Indefinite | Indefinite |
Which one should you target first?
If your occupation is on Green List Tier 1, go Straight to Residence and skip the temporary stage. If you already hit 6 SMC points and the wage threshold, apply for SMC directly. For everyone else, the AEWV is the entry point: it gets you into New Zealand fast, with no English test and no points hurdle, and the time you work counts toward residence.
What Happened to the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa?
The Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa closed to new applications on 31 October 2021. It was a 30-month work-to-residence visa tied to a salary floor and an older accreditation scheme. The AEWV, launched 4 July 2022, replaced it along with the Essential Skills Work Visa and four other categories.
If you held a Talent visa, its residence-from-work pathway has wound down, and the current routes are the ones above. If you are researching the "talent accredited employer visa" in 2026 as a new applicant, the AEWV is the visa you actually apply for, and the Skilled Migrant Category is where the residence step now lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa?
New Zealand's main temporary work visa. It requires a full-time job offer (30+ hours per week) from an Immigration NZ accredited employer with an approved job check. It costs from NZD $1,540, lasts up to 5 years for skilled roles, and counts toward residence.
How much does the AEWV cost in 2026?
From NZD $1,540 for the worker's application. Employers pay NZD $775 for standard accreditation and NZD $735 per job check. The later residence step (Skilled Migrant Category) costs from NZD $6,450.
Is there a minimum salary for the AEWV?
No fixed threshold since 10 March 2025, when the median wage requirement was removed. Employers must pay at least the market rate for the role, with the New Zealand minimum wage as the legal floor. Residence applications still carry wage thresholds (NZD $35.00/hr for level 1 to 3 roles from 9 March 2026).
Can my family come with me on an AEWV?
Partners and dependent children can apply for visas based on their relationship to you. Eligibility depends on your role and pay. Once you move to a resident visa, partners and dependent children aged 24 or under can be included in the application itself.
Does the AEWV lead to permanent residence?
Yes, via the Skilled Migrant Category once you reach 6 points and the wage threshold, or via the new Trades and Technician and Skilled Work Experience pathways from 24 August 2026. Green List Tier 1 workers can use Straight to Residence and skip the AEWV entirely.
Is the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa still open?
No. It closed to new applications on 31 October 2021 and was replaced by the AEWV in July 2022. Searches for the talent accredited employer visa in 2026 should point you to the AEWV and the Skilled Migrant Category instead.