For Employers

Employers need to obtain accreditation in order to employ migrant workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa for a maximum duration of 5 years.

Businesses are advised to prioritize the training, upskilling, and employment of New Zealand workers before considering migrant recruitment. As an employer, if you cannot find qualified New Zealand candidates for a position, you can submit an application to employ migrants through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program. To do so, you must obtain accreditation, demonstrating that your business is financially viable and complies with employment and immigration requirements.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) process consists of three essential steps. Employers are initially required to seek accreditation, enabling them to employ migrant workers under the AEWV program. Subsequently, they need to apply for a Job Check, demonstrating that they have made genuine efforts to find qualified New Zealand candidates for the role. Upon approval of the Job Check, an accredited employer can then request a migrant worker to apply for an AEWV.