NZ Work Visa Guide 2026

The three stages explained

Stage 1 — Employer accreditation

The NZ employer applies to Immigration NZ to become an accredited employer. There are three accreditation types:

• Standard — hiring up to 5 migrant workers
• High Volume — hiring 6 or more migrant workers
• Franchisee / Triangular — for franchise operators and labour-hire arrangements

Accreditation requires evidence of business viability, sound employment practices, and a commitment to support and induct migrant workers. Accredited status is granted for 12 or 24 months and must be renewed. Loss of accreditation (for example, after a labour inspectorate finding) terminates the employer's ability to hire on AEWVs.

Stage 2 — Job check

For each specific role the employer wants to fill with a migrant, they apply for a job check. Immigration NZ verifies:

• The role is paid at or above the relevant wage threshold
• The job has been advertised on Work and Income (MSD) for at least 21 days, unless the occupation is exempt
• No suitable NZ citizen or resident applied
• The terms and conditions comply with NZ employment law

Some roles are exempt from the labour-market test — typically those on the Green List or otherwise above a sector-specific pay threshold. Check the current Immigration NZ guidance before assuming exemption.

Stage 3 — Personal AEWV application

Once the job check is approved, the named worker can apply for the AEWV. Personal requirements include:

• Health requirements (medical and chest x-ray for longer-term visas)
• Character requirements (police certificates from each country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years)
• Skills and experience matching the role's ANZSCO classification
• Genuine intent to work in the role for the duration of the visa
• English-language ability for some occupations

Median wage and visa length

The Green List — accelerated pathways

Certain occupations sit on the Green List, which gives migrants either:

• Straight to Residence — apply for residence immediately, no work-visa stage required
• Work to Residence — work in NZ for 24 months on an AEWV, then apply for residence

Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) occupations cluster in health, engineering, IT/digital, and trades. Tier 2 (Work to Residence) covers a wider range. The list is reviewed periodically by MBIE — occupations can be added or removed. Check the current list before relying on any specific role.

Sector and care-worker rules

Some sectors have their own AEWV rules layered on top of the standard process:

• Aged care, disability care, home support — sector-specific wage settings and English-language requirements
• Construction and infrastructure — occupation-list and median-wage interplay can determine whether a job-check exemption applies
• Transport (bus drivers, truck drivers) — sector wage settings and licence requirements
• Tourism and hospitality — historically lower-paid occupations have tighter rules and shorter visa terms
• Dairy and meat processing — dedicated sector agreements and wage settings

If your role is in any of these sectors, the standard wage and labour-market test may not apply in the obvious way. Confirm sector treatment before assuming.

Other work-visa categories worth knowing

Visa	When it applies
Working Holiday Visa	18–30 (or 18–35 for some countries), short-term work and travel
Specific Purpose or Event	Short-term specialist roles tied to a defined project or event
Partner of a Worker Work Visa	Partners of AEWV holders (open work rights, conditions apply)
Post Study Work Visa	Graduates of eligible NZ qualifications, 1–3 years' open work rights
Variation of Conditions	Existing visa holder needing to change employer or role
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE)	Horticulture and viticulture seasonal workers — Pacific-focused scheme

Common reasons AEWV applications are declined

When to bring in professional help

For a clean AEWV with a willing accredited employer, many applicants succeed on their own using Immigration NZ's online portal. Get professional help when:

• You've had a previous NZ visa declined or revoked
• There are character issues (any criminal history, including overseas)
• Your role sits awkwardly within ANZSCO — does it really match the classification you're claiming?
• The employer's accreditation is being reviewed or has compliance flags
• You're applying with partner or children where any of them has a health flag
• You're looking at a Section 61 request after becoming unlawful
• You're considering an appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal — only a lawyer can represent at IPT

For straightforward AEWVs, a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) is often the right level of help — they're regulated by the Immigration Advisers Authority, they handle visa applications full-time, and they're typically cheaper than lawyers. For anything that may end up in front of the IPT or High Court, you need a lawyer.

Typical professional fees

Service	LIA fees	Lawyer fees
AEWV personal application (straightforward)	$1,500 – $3,000	$2,500 – $5,000
Employer accreditation	$2,000 – $5,000	$3,500 – $8,000
Job check	$800 – $1,500	$1,000 – $2,500
Character/health waiver case	$2,500 – $5,000	$4,000 – $10,000
IPT appeal	Not permitted	$5,000 – $20,000+

Ranges reflect public NZ adviser and law firm fee schedules. INZ application fees and IELTS/medical/police-certificate costs are extra. Get every quote in writing.

How to verify credentials

• LIA — search the Immigration Advisers Authority register by name and confirm a current Full Licence
• Lawyer — search the NZ Law Society register and confirm a current practising certificate
• Avoid unlicensed advisers operating from overseas — providing immigration advice for NZ without a licence or exemption is an offence