Key Information and Statistics on the AEWV

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa, designed to ensure New Zealanders are prioritised for job opportunities while enabling employers to hire skilled migrants where genuine skill or labour shortages exist. Since its launch, the AEWV has become a cornerstone of New Zealand’s immigration strategy, balancing labour market needs with robust compliance measures. 

Key Features of the AEWV 

• Purpose: Enables employers to hire migrants when no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents are available. 

• Visa duration: Up to 5 years for most roles; however, roles at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 have a maximum stay of 3 years following recent policy changes. 

• Employer accreditation: Only employers accredited by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) can hire migrants on an AEWV. 

• Application process: Applications are lodged via INZ’s Immigration Online system. 

AEWV application process 

The AEWV process involves three key steps: 

• Employer accreditation: Employers must first be accredited by INZ to hire migrants. 

• Job Check: Employers must advertise the role (if required) and apply for a Job Check to demonstrate that no suitable New Zealanders are available for the role. 

• Work Visa application: Once the Job Check is approved, the migrant can apply for the AEWV. 

These steps ensure that job opportunities are offered to New Zealanders first and that employers meet compliance standards. 

Recent changes to the AEWV scheme 

On 7 April 2024, significant changes were announced: 

• English language requirement: Introduced for migrants applying for low-skilled (ANZSCO level 4 and 5) roles. 

• Minimum skills and experience threshold: Required for most AEWV roles. 

• Work and Income engagement: Employers must engage with Work and Income before approval for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles. 

• Visa duration reduction: The maximum continuous stay for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles was reduced from 5 years to 3 years. 

• Franchisee accreditation: The franchisee accreditation category was disestablished, requiring businesses to use the standard, high-volume, or triangular employment accreditation routes. 

Additionally, on 17 December 2024, the Government announced further upcoming changes to the AEWV in 2025. 

Statistics as of 2 June 2025 

• Approved AEWV applications: 150,282 since scheme launch 

• Accredited employers: 24,139 

• Current AEWV holders: 81,783 

Post-accreditation checks 

INZ performs post-accreditation checks to maintain the integrity of the system: 

• Annual checks: Approximately 16% of accredited employers are checked each year. 

• Checks conducted: 6,382 post-accreditation checks completed on 4,517 employers, with 142 checks currently underway (as of 4 June 2025). 

Employer revocations and suspensions: 

• 867 employers had their accreditation revoked. 

• 158 employers had their accreditation suspended. 

• 27 employers are under assessment for potential revocation or suspension. 

Reasons for revocation or suspension include liquidation, non-compliance with immigration or employment/business standards, and breaches of accreditation conditions. 

Employer Responsibilities and Compliance 

Accredited employers are expected to: 

• Meet all AEWV conditions. 

• Comply with New Zealand employment and immigration laws. 

• Cooperate with post-accreditation checks and provide accurate information. 

• Penalties apply for employers who fail to comply. 

Additional Information 

• Job change process: AEWV holders can apply for a Job Change to vary their employer, job, or location—providing greater flexibility, particularly if they lose their job. 

• Monitoring: MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) actively monitors employers to ensure compliance and to protect migrant workers. 

Conclusion 

The AEWV remains a vital tool for balancing New Zealand’s workforce needs with the rights and protections of both local workers and migrants. Ongoing reforms, robust monitoring, and a clear compliance framework help maintain its integrity, ensuring the visa continues to serve New Zealand’s interests. 

Need support with AEWV applications? 

At Absolute Immigration New Zealand, we assist with people and businesses to guide them through every stage of the AEWV process — from securing accreditation and managing job checks to assisting with visa applications and immigration strategies. Our team ensures you meet all legal requirements and attract the right talent from around the world to meet your workforce demands. 

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