New Zealand employers who want to employ migrants will need to become accredited with Immigration New Zealand. The current voluntary accreditation system will close.
Please note that the following outline is a “work in progress” and will be updated along with further announcements from Immigration New Zealand.
The introduction of the AEWV, previously scheduled for 1 November 2021, will be temporarily deferred to the middle of next year.
If you want to employ migrants or are currently employing migrants, it is important that you stay up to date with their visa requirements.
NZIC will keep this page updated on the progress of the AEWV, but first of all we recommend that you register for our webinar, which is specifically tailored to inform employers about the implications of these changes for them.
We invite all New Zealand employers to attend our webinar on Employer Accreditation Policy Changes, held by our Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser Dr. Carsten Hallwass.
Carsten will explain the policy changes, what the new process will entail for New Zealand employers wanting to employ migrants, whether the migrant is already in New Zealand or still offshore, and how our new program will help you to retain your skilled staff.
Our next Employer Webinar is on Wednesday, the 4th of August at 9am.
Register your interest to find out about our new program, specifically designed to meet employer's needs!
Employers who don’t apply for this status will still be able to support work visa applications under the Essential Skills Work Visa category for now.
Employers employing migrants who hold a current talent or essential skill visa don’t need to become accredited unless they want to hire someone on the new visa system.
Employers will be able to apply for accreditation from late September, ahead of the introduction date mid 2022. To become accredited, you have to submit an application for accreditation. To then employ a migrant, a job check will be required, followed by a migrant worker check.
Employers need accreditation in the new system – even if they are accredited under the current system.
Only accredited employers can hire a migrant worker on the AEWV.
The new accreditation levels are:
Franchisees and employers wanting to place migrants on AEWVs with third parties (including labour hire companies) will need to meet additional criteria to get accredited.
The following principles apply to the job check:
Some job checks will also involve a labour market test.
When a labour market test is required:
When a labour market test is not required:
In the cities (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin):
The migrant worker must show they meet:
Employers must complete the employer accreditation process before migrants can apply for a work visa. This is an employer led process, see above.
Current temporary work visas will not be affected, as long as visa conditions are still being met and the visa remains valid.
Different to the current system, the new regulations do not provide a designated pathway to residence. There are 'rumours' that this might be introduced at a later stage.
With Residence from Work Visa application underway however (requiring a further Work to Residence visa to be granted residence), applicants will be able to continue this process if they remain with their current employer.
Your offer of employment must meet the following strict requirements:
"If you have started a new job after your work visa was first granted, but your new employer is not an accredited employer, you might still be eligible for a resident visa under this policy, provided you have successfully applied for a variation of conditions to work for your new employer.
Work visas granted to applicants under this policy will be subject to the condition that the visa holder may undertake employment for an accredited employer only.
If the work visa holder wants to change employers during the currency of the work visa they have to apply for a "variation of conditions."
The great work done before has surely helped to achieve this quick positive result. NZIC are really professional and know what to do when to do it and how to do it. That is so convenient and efficient! I’m still working with them for the next steps and would like to thank them again for their help and support. Thank you. Kind Regards.
Anna was worth her weight in gold---she was fantastic at helping me format my CV and search for jobs that suited my skill set. In the end, I got a great job in a great city. Carsten and his team were very thorough and helpful when it came time to apply for and get our visas. They are now helping us with our resident visas, and I'm certain that the process will be the same. I'd recommend them highly.
NZIC guided me all the way through getting my first work visa to permanent residency. Their job seeking support was key when I first arrived in NZ, communication was always easy and clear. I'm very thankful for their help and definitely recommend their services.
Dear Jannie, just want to drop a note to thank for your everything. Your help is much appreciated! You are a wonderful and professional job search coach! I am so lucky to have you supporting me!
