What are the requirements for the AEWV?

You need a job offer from an accredited employer, the job must pay at or above the median wage (currently NZD 31.61/hr), and the role must meet ANZSCO skill level requirements. The employer must complete a Job Check first.

Visa Sponsorship Data

Companies That Sponsor Work Visas in New Zealand

Q: What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)?

The AEWV is New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa, introduced in July 2022. Employers must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand, and the job must pass a Job Check before the worker can apply.

Q: Can the AEWV lead to permanent residence?

The AEWV does not directly lead to residence, but AEWV holders may qualify for the Skilled Migrant Category or other residence pathways. Work experience in New Zealand contributes to points for residence applications.

Find employers accredited to sponsor AEWV visas in New Zealand. We track all accredited employers from Immigration New Zealand.

View data for:

All Countries 🇺🇸 United States 🇨🇦 Canada 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇦🇺 Australia 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇳🇿 New Zealand

176,664

AEWV Approvals

24,823

Accredited Employers

50+

Companies Tracked

2022-2025

Years of Data

Understanding New Zealand AEWV

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa. Employers must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand before they can support migrant workers.

How AEWV Works

Employer becomes accredited with Immigration NZ
Employer submits a Job Check for the role
Worker applies for the AEWV visa
Visa granted (up to 3 years)
May transition to residence via Skilled Migrant Category

Key Facts

• Employer must be accredited
• Job must pay at or above the median wage (NZD 31.61/hr)
• ANZSCO skill level requirements apply
• No annual cap on visas
• Pathways to permanent residence available

Tip: Check if an employer is accredited before applying. Only accredited employers can support AEWV applications.

AEWV Approvals by Year

22,207 approvals

2022

79,022 approvals

2023

35,411 approvals

2024

40,024 approvals

2025

Top AEWV Sponsors

Builder's Labourer

11,681

approvals

Carpenter

8,159

approvals

Chef

6,292

approvals

Personal Care Assistant

5,612

approvals

Cook

5,320

approvals

Truck Driver (General)

4,715

approvals

Dairy Cattle Farm Worker

3,597

approvals

Retail Supervisor

3,280

approvals

Aged or Disabled Carer

3,210

approvals

Painting Trades Worker

2,725

approvals

Visa Sponsorship by Role

Engineering Roles→Data & ML Roles→Product Roles→Design Roles→Security Roles→Finance Roles→

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New Zealand AEWV FAQ

What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)?▼

The AEWV is New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa. It replaced several previous work visa categories in July 2022. Employers must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand, and the job must pass a Job Check before the worker can apply for the visa. The visa can be granted for up to 3 years.

How do I check if a New Zealand employer is accredited?▼

Immigration New Zealand maintains a list of accredited employers. ApplyWave tracks this data so you can search any company and verify their accreditation status instantly. Only accredited employers can support AEWV applications.

Can the AEWV lead to permanent residence in New Zealand?▼

The AEWV itself does not directly lead to residence, but AEWV holders may be eligible to apply for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or other residence pathways. Work experience in New Zealand on an AEWV can contribute to points for a residence application.