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If someone has offered you a job in New Zealand, the Accredited Employer Work Visa is one of the main ways to move and work there legally. This visa is for people who have a real job offer from a New Zealand Accredited Employer and who meet basic health, character and skill rules. The aim is simple: connect real jobs with real workers while protecting New Zealand workers and making sure employers hire responsibly. 

What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa?

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) lets you live and work in New Zealand for an employer who is officially accredited to hire people from overseas. Usually the job must be full-time (generally 30 hours or more per week). This visa ties you to the specific employer, job, and place shown on your visa. If anything about the job changes, you must tell Immigration New Zealand and may need a new visa or a change of conditions. 

Why are employers “accredited”?

A New Zealand Accredited Employer has gone through checks and promised to meet standards so they can hire migrant workers. Accreditation is meant to stop poor employers from taking advantage of migrants and to give both worker and employer more trust in the hiring. Employers must also run a job check for each role they want to fill — this proves they tried to find a New Zealander first unless an exemption applies. 

Who needs this visa — and who does not?

If your job offer comes from a New Zealand Accredited Employer, you will normally apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa. Short visitors or people on other special visas may not need this route. Always check the exact rules for your situation — the accredited employer list helps you confirm if your employer is approved to hire overseas workers. 

Basic worker requirements (in plain words)

To get the Accredited Employer Work Visa you typically need:

• A written job offer from a New Zealand Accredited Employer for a full-time role.
  
• The right skills, qualifications, or experience for the job.
  
• To be paid at or above the normal market rate for that job.
  
• To meet health and character checks (police certificate and a medical, if needed).
  These checks are there to make sure you are safe to employ and that the job is genuine.
  

How long will the visa last?

Visa length depends on the job and the rules in place when you apply. Some AEWVs are for the time you work there or up to a few years. Because rules do change, always check the official guidance before you make long-term plans.

Step-by-step — how to apply (simple)

1. Get a clear written job offer from a New Zealand Accredited Employer.
   
2. Ask the employer to confirm accreditation and to start the job check if needed.
   
3. Gather your documents: passport, job offer, proof of qualifications and experience, police certificate, medicals if asked.
   
4. Apply online for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, upload your documents and pay the fee. Watch for messages from Immigration New Zealand in case they ask for more information. Applying online is the usual route.
   

Travel to New Zealand and NZeTA

If you plan a short visit before starting work, or you are a visitor who needs pre-travel permission, you may need to Submit NZeTA Online. The NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is different from the AEWV — it is about travel permission rather than work rights. Check NZeTA Visa Information to see if your nationality needs an NZeTA, and follow the official process to request it. Allow time — many NZeTA requests are processed within 72 hours, but it’s best to apply earlier. 

Practical tips to make the process smoother

• Keep your job offer clear and signed. A detailed contract helps immigration officers understand your role.
  
• Ask your employer for proof of their place on the accredited employer list, or check the list yourself online.
  
• Get police certificates and health checks done early — these documents can take time.
  
• Keep copies of everything you upload. If you hire an immigration adviser, use someone licensed.
  

A short, human story

Think about Alex, who is offered work by a small hospitality business in Queenstown that is a New Zealand Accredited Employer. The café completes a job check, Alex gathers his certificates and medical report, and they both upload the right paperwork. While waiting for the AEWV decision, Alex uses the time to Submit NZeTA Online for a short visit to see the town. Because the employer was accredited and followed the rules, Alex felt safe moving and the employer was sure they had complied with New Zealand law. This is how the system should work when it goes well.

Recent and important note

Immigration rules are updated from time to time. For example, there are periodic changes about documents and how police certificates are handled — always check the official Immigration New Zealand pages for the latest requirements before you apply. 

Where to read official, up-to-date guidance

• Accredited Employer Work Visa overview and detailed rules.
  
• Accredited employer list (to check your employer).
  
• Employer accreditation and job check steps (for employers).
  
• NZeTA application and visitor rules — use this page to Submit NZeTA Online and find full NZeTA Visa Information.