How to hire migrant workers under the AEWV

Step-by-step guide to hiring a migrant worker under the AEWV 

Hiring a migrant under New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme requires more than just finding the right person. Employers must meet specific steps and remain compliant with immigration law throughout the entire process. Here is how to do it right and what you must continue doing to maintain your accreditation. 

1. Check accreditation and job check approval

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme helps ensure that New Zealanders have the first opportunity for job openings, while giving accredited employers the ability to bring in skilled overseas workers when there are genuine gaps in the local labour market. 

To hire individuals who already hold or are applying for visas such as the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, Work to Residence Visa (including the Transport and Care Workforce pathways), or the Straight to Residence Visa, businesses must hold employer accreditation. 

There are three accreditation options available, depending on your hiring needs: 

• Standard – suited for businesses looking to employ up to five migrant workers 

• High-volume – for employers planning to hire six or more migrants 

• Triangular – for businesses that employ migrants directly but assign them to work for a third party; there is no cap on the number of workers you can engage under this model 

Before starting your application, you will need to make sure your business complies with all accreditation requirements and that you have gathered key details, including your NZ Business Number, industry classification, and Inland Revenue number. 

The next step is to get a Job Check approval. This is a key step in the process of hiring a migrant worker under New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.  

Before offering a job to a migrant, an accredited employer must apply for and receive approval for the specific role through a Job Check. This ensures that the position meets New Zealand employment standards, offers market-rate pay, and that no suitable New Zealanders are readily available to fill the role.  

Employers must provide evidence of genuine recruitment efforts, including recent advertising, unless the role is on the Green List or qualifies for an exemption.  The Green List is a government-compiled list of occupations identified as critical to New Zealand’s long-term skill needs and eligible for streamlined visa pathways. 

A successful Job Check approval confirms that the employer can legally offer the role to a migrant worker. The approved application will expire 6 months from the day of approval. 

Once both are approved, you will receive a job token (a unique number also known as a unique link, which is provided to a migrant to apply for the AEWV) that allows you to support a migrant worker’s visa application. 

2. Recruit a migrant

When recruiting a migrant worker in New Zealand, it is essential to follow the correct process to ensure compliance. If the role is classified as an ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) skill level 4 or 5 occupation, you must first connect with Work and Income. The job must then be advertised exactly as it appears in your approved Job Check.  

As the employer, you are responsible for covering all recruitment-related costs, including advertising, agency fees, employer accreditation and Job Check fees, equipment for skills testing, and any required training or induction. Migrants must never be asked to pay these costs or any unlawful fees, regardless of where the charges occur. 

3. Check the migrant’s qualifications

Before inviting a migrant to apply, ensure they meet AEWV skill requirements and match the experience listed in your advertisement. If using a recruiter, confirm they are also checking each applicant’s suitability. Keep thorough records of all verification steps. 

4. Support the migrant’s visa application

To support a migrant’s AEWV application, employers must follow specific steps depending on the applicant’s visa status.  

For new AEWV applicants, use Immigration Online to select the relevant approved job and send a support request via email. This allows the migrant to receive a job token, which they use to begin their application. Be sure to provide them with a signed employment agreement and job offer. The job token remains valid for six months from the date your Job Check was approved.  

If their application is declined but eligible for reconsideration, you cannot offer the role to another migrant until the outcome is resolved or the offer is formally withdrawn.  

For migrants already holding an AEWV, they must apply for a Job Change (variation of conditions). You will need to provide your Job Check approval number (beginning with “JC”), and the migrant must upload the job offer as part of their application. 

5. Help your migrant worker settle

Within one month of the AEWV worker starting their job, you must give them: 

• Information about working and living in New Zealand 

• Details on local community services 

• Additional requirements apply if you are a triangular employer placing workers with a third party. 

6. Notify Immigration NZ if things change

You must inform Immigration New Zealand if: 

• An AEWV worker stops working for you 

• Key personnel in your organisation change 

• Your business undergoes restructure, liquidation, or bankruptcy 

• Use the appropriate process depending on the type of change. 

7. Understand your responsibilities as an accredited employer

To maintain AEWV accreditation, you must: 

• Comply with the Immigration Act 2009 and all employment laws and standards 

• Meet the commitments made during your accreditation application 

• Notify INZ of any organisational changes or when a migrant worker leaves your business 

You and your key people must not: 

• Employ migrants without the right visa or work conditions 

• Provide false or misleading information 

• Be involved in businesses with prior immigration breaches 

• Be disqualified as directors or subject to employment or immigration stand-down periods 

8. Prepare for post-accreditation checks

INZ may inspect your compliance through desk reviews or site visits. You could be asked to provide evidence at any time. Failing to cooperate may result in your accreditation being revoked. 

9. If you are not meeting your obligations

If you fail to meet the requirements of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, INZ will notify you in writing, outlining their concerns and requesting your feedback. They will assess the situation to determine whether further action is necessary. Depending on the seriousness of the issue, consequences may include suspension or revocation of your accreditation, placement on the stand-down list, issuance of infringement notices or prosecution, and in severe cases, a permanent ban from sponsoring migrant workers. If you are under investigation, your accreditation may also be temporarily suspended during the review process. 

10. If your accreditation is suspended or revoked

During a suspension of your accreditation, INZ may delay decisions on any pending Job Checks, and you will not be permitted to hire new migrant workers. However, AEWV holders already employed and present in New Zealand can continue working for you. If your accreditation is revoked, all unused job tokens will be cancelled, and migrants who have not yet entered New Zealand may be unable to do so. INZ will make efforts to contact affected migrants where possible to inform them of the changes. 

11. When a worker’s AEWV nears expiry

The maximum stay on one or more AEWVs is 3 to 5 years.  

This depends on: 

• The date of the first AEWV application 

• Job skill level on the ANZSCO list 

• Pay rate 

If a worker reaches their limit, they must leave New Zealand for 12 months unless eligible for another visa, such as a residence visa. If not yet at the limit, you may support another AEWV application under specific reuse conditions if the job and AEWV remain unchanged. 

12. Reporting employer breaches

Anyone who believes an accredited employer is not complying with the law can report concerns to Immigration New Zealand. These reports help uphold the integrity of the AEWV system. 

Need support with AEWV applications? 

At Absolute Immigration New Zealand, we help businesses navigate every step of the AEWV process, from accreditation and job checks to visa applications and compliance planning. Our team ensures you meet legal obligations and attract the right global talent to support your workforce needs. 

Reach out to our team for a consultation: aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com