Complete Guide to the AEWV Visa in New Zealand (2026)
New Zealand Has Issued 176,664 Work Visas Since 2022
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's primary pathway for foreign workers seeking employer-sponsored employment. Since its launch in July 2022, Immigration New Zealand has granted 176,664 AEWV visas, making it one of the most active work visa programmes in the Asia-Pacific region. With 24823 accredited employers currently registered, the opportunities span construction, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, and technology.
This guide covers everything you need to know: eligibility requirements, the three-step application process, costs, processing times, and which occupations receive the most grants. All statistics are sourced from official Immigration New Zealand data, tracked on our NZ visa sponsorship data page.
What Is the AEWV?
The AEWV replaced several older visa categories (Essential Skills, Talent, Long Term Skill Shortage) in July 2022. It introduced a unified three-step process designed to give Immigration NZ more oversight of employer behaviour while streamlining the worker application.
The three steps are:
- Employer Accreditation — the employer must be accredited by Immigration NZ (standard or high-volume)
- Job Check — the specific job must be approved, proving the employer tried to hire locally first
- Visa Application — the worker applies with the approved job offer
Only employers with current accreditation can sponsor AEWV workers. You can check whether a specific employer is accredited using Immigration NZ's online list or by searching our database of 24823 NZ accredited employers.
Eligibility Requirements
For Workers
- Job offer from an accredited employer with an approved Job Check
- Relevant qualifications or experience for the role (varies by ANZSCO skill level)
- Minimum salary: median wage of NZD 31.61/hour (NZD 65,749/year) for most roles
- English language: IELTS 4.0+ overall (or equivalent) for ANZSCO Level 1-3 roles; exemptions for passport holders from English-speaking countries
- Health and character: medical exam and police certificates required
For Employers
- Must be a genuine, operating business in New Zealand
- No history of immigration or employment law breaches
- Must pay market rate (at least median wage)
- Must complete a Job Check showing they advertised the role to NZ residents first
AEWV Grants by Year
The AEWV launched mid-2022, so the first year reflects only 6 months of data. The 2023 surge reflects pent-up demand from COVID-era backlogs, followed by a correction in 2024 as processing normalized.
| Year | Grants | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 22,207 | Launch year (July-Dec) |
| 2023 | 79,022 | +256% (post-COVID surge) |
| 2024 | 35,411 | -55% (normalization) |
| 2025 | 40,024 | +13% (partial year) |
The 2025 figure is still accumulating. The trend suggests NZ is settling into a steady pace of 40,000-50,000 AEWV grants per year.
Top Occupations Receiving AEWV Grants
Construction trades dominate AEWV grants, reflecting NZ's ongoing infrastructure and housing boom. Healthcare and hospitality also feature prominently:
| # | Occupation | Total Grants |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Builder's Labourer | 11,681 |
| 2 | Carpenter | 8,159 |
| 3 | Chef | 6,292 |
| 4 | Personal Care Assistant | 5,612 |
| 5 | Cook | 5,320 |
| 6 | Truck Driver (General) | 4,715 |
| 7 | Dairy Cattle Farm Worker | 3,597 |
| 8 | Retail Supervisor | 3,280 |
| 9 | Aged or Disabled Carer | 3,210 |
| 10 | Painting Trades Worker | 2,725 |
Browse accredited employers by industry: construction, hospitality, or healthcare.
Costs and Processing Times
| Step | Fee (NZD) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Accreditation (Standard) | $740 | 10-20 working days |
| Employer Accreditation (High-volume) | $1,220 | 10-20 working days |
| Job Check | $610 | 10-15 working days |
| Visa Application | $750 | 20-40 working days |
The employer typically covers accreditation and Job Check fees. The visa application fee is usually the worker's responsibility, though some employers cover it as part of their offer.
Pathway to Residency
The AEWV does not directly lead to residence, but it opens two pathways:
- Green List (Straight to Residence): workers in specified occupations (e.g., registered nurses, software engineers, construction project managers) can apply for residence immediately or after 2 years of work
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): points-based residence visa available after gaining NZ work experience, with points for age, qualifications, salary, and partner qualifications
Green List occupations are regularly updated. Check the current list on the Immigration NZ website before planning a long-term move.
Practical Tips for Applicants
- Target accredited employers directly — search our database of 24823 accredited NZ employers rather than applying blindly on job boards
- Get your qualifications assessed early — NZQA assessments take 4-6 weeks and are required for some roles
- Prepare English test results — book your IELTS/PTE early; test centres fill up weeks in advance
- Check the Green List — if your occupation is on it, you have a fast-track to residence
- Negotiate salary above median wage — roles paying above NZD 31.61/hr have simpler Job Check requirements
What to Expect in 2026
Immigration NZ has signalled further changes to the AEWV in 2026, including stricter employer accreditation checks and possible sector-specific caps. The construction and healthcare sectors are expected to continue driving demand. For job seekers, the key is to target accredited employers in high-demand occupations and ensure your qualifications and English meet the threshold before applying.
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