Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Changes

On 07 April 2024, the government introduced the following changes to immigration instructions related to employer accreditation, job check requirements and AEWVs: 

·       Employers must notify Immigration New Zealand (INZ) within 10 working days if an AEWV holder’s employment ends.

·       INZ’s ability to suspend accreditation has been expanded to include where there is evidence of potential non-compliance with any of the accreditation requirements.

·       AEWVs will be subject to the condition that a visa holder must be employed full time, allowing INZ to revoke an employer’s accreditation if they do not provide at least 30 hours work per week to those on an AEWV.

·       Employers must take reasonable steps to ensure that migrant workers are suitably qualified and meet a minimum skills and experience threshold before supporting them to apply for an AEWV and retain evidence of doing so.

·       Employers seeking to fill ANZSCO level 4 and 5 occupations must engage with Work and Income as part of the job check requirement.

·       A definition of suitable and available New Zealand workers has been introduced and employers who wish to hire a migrant for an ANZSCO level 4 or 5 role are required to provide reasons why New Zealand applicants were not suitable and/or available.

·       The advertising duration for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles has been increased to 21 calendar days.

·       A minimum skills and experience threshold of three years’ relevant work experience, or a relevant qualification at level 4 (or above) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credential Framework has been introduced for all AEWV applicants. This does not apply to roles paid at least twice the median wage and roles on the Green List.

·       Applicants for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles are required to meet a minimum standard of English language competence equivalent to level 4 or higher in the International English Language Testing System.

·       The duration of AEWVs will now be determined by date of application and skill level of the role held. If the AEWV application was made between June 2023 and 06 April 2024, the applicant will obtain a 5 year work visa regardless of skill level. Any application thereafter, for skill level 4 or 5 will receive a visa with a maximum duration of 3 years (all other will still receive 5 years).

·       Accreditation for franchise employers is to be disestablished and such employers can apply for standard, high volume or triangular accreditation as required.

The rules related to AEWVs, job checks, and accreditation remain complex and evolving. Please contact one of our team if you have any questions.