New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) 2026: Pay Rules, Job Check and Residence
How New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa works in 2026: job check, pay rules after the median wage change, English, fees and routes to residence.
Until March 2025, a New Zealand employer hiring a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa usually had to pay at least the median wage, then NZD 29.66 an hour. That rule is gone. Today the floor for most AEWV jobs is the market rate for the role, and never less than the adult minimum wage of NZD 23.95 an hour that applies from 1 April 2026.
The change made more jobs eligible for sponsorship, but it also means pay offers vary much more. Wages still matter for your family and your future, though. Whether your partner can work, whether your children can study, and whether you can get residence later all depend on what you earn.
This guide explains the three-step AEWV process, the 2025 and 2026 rule changes, the costs on each side, and how an AEWV can lead to residence through the Green List or the Skilled Migrant Category.
In this guide
AEWV at a Glance
| Who it's for | Workers with a full-time job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer |
| Minimum pay | Market rate for the job, and at least NZD 23.95 an hour (minimum wage from April 2026) |
| Visa fee | From NZD 1,540 |
| Processing time | Around 5 weeks for 80% of applications |
| Duration | Up to 5 years (skill level 1 to 3), up to 3 years (skill level 4 or 5) |
| Experience or qualification | 2 years of relevant experience or a qualification at NZQCF level 4 or higher |
| Path to residence | Green List, Skilled Migrant Category, or sector pathways |
| Official source | Immigration New Zealand: AEWV |
How the AEWV System Works
The AEWV runs in three stages, and the first two belong to the employer.
- Employer accreditation. The business proves to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) that it is a genuine, compliant employer.
- Job check. The employer shows the job is real, pays at least the market rate, and that it tried to hire New Zealanders first.
- Visa application. Once the job check is approved, the employer gives you a job token, and you apply for the visa.
You can't apply for an AEWV without a job token. That is the single most important thing to understand. A message promising "AEWV processing" before any employer has passed a job check is not a real offer.
Skill levels and the new occupation list
INZ grades jobs from skill level 1 (most skilled, such as doctors and engineers) to skill level 5 (such as labourers and kitchenhands). The level controls your visa length, English requirement, family rights and residence options.
New Zealand is replacing the Australian ANZSCO classification with its own National Occupation List (NOL). For now the NOL applies to AEWV applications, while residence visas still use ANZSCO. In March 2026, INZ recognised 47 more skill level 1 to 3 occupations under the NOL. It also split chef roles by seniority and moved pet groomers, nannies and kennel hands down to skill level 4.
What Changed in 2025 and 2026
The AEWV has been adjusted several times. These are the changes that matter most if you're applying now:
- 10 March 2025: median wage requirement removed. Employers must pay the market rate and at least the minimum wage. Sector agreements with lower pay floors became largely irrelevant.
- 10 March 2025: experience cut to two years. Previously three years were needed.
- 10 March 2025: level 4 and 5 visas extended. Lower-skilled AEWVs can now be granted for up to three years at once, matching the maximum continuous stay.
- 10 March 2025: higher income needed to support children. The threshold for supporting a dependent child's visa was raised.
- 9 March 2026: median wage indexed to NZD 35.00. This doesn't set AEWV pay any more, but it drives the thresholds for the Green List, the Skilled Migrant Category, advertising exemptions and partner support.
- 1 June 2026: English for skill level 3. Minimum English requirements now cover skill level 3 jobs as well as levels 4 and 5. Some existing AEWV holders whose visas expire on or before 1 December 2026 are exempt when applying for the rest of their permitted stay.
Pay and Job Check Rules
During the job check, the employer has to show the pay matches the local market rate for that job and region. INZ uses data from sources such as job boards and industry surveys, and it can ask for evidence. The employer must keep paying at least the offered amount for the whole time you're employed.
The employer must also advertise the role in New Zealand before applying for the job check:
- Skill level 1 to 3 roles: advertised for at least 14 days
- Skill level 4 or 5 roles: advertised for at least 21 days, plus engagement with Work and Income (the Ministry of Social Development) to look for local candidates
- No advertising needed for Green List roles where you meet the Green List requirements, or roles paying at least twice the median wage (NZD 70.00 an hour from March 2026)
What AEWV jobs typically pay
Approximate gross annual salaries for full-time roles, based on Careers New Zealand pay guides and 2026 job advertisements. Regional pay, overtime and seniority shift these considerably.
| Occupation | Typical range (NZD) | Skill level |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse | 75,000 to 110,000 | 1 |
| Software developer | 80,000 to 140,000 | 1 |
| Civil engineer | 80,000 to 130,000 | 1 |
| Electrician | 65,000 to 95,000 | 2 to 3 |
| Chef | 55,000 to 70,000 | 2 to 3, by role |
| Truck driver | 55,000 to 75,000 | 4 |
| Aged care worker | 50,000 to 58,000 | 4 |
| Dairy farm worker | 50,000 to 60,000 | 4 to 5 |
A full-time job at minimum wage (40 hours a week) works out to about NZD 49,800 a year before tax. Employment New Zealand publishes the current minimum wage rates.
Eligibility for the Worker
To be granted an AEWV you need:
- A job token from an accredited employer with an approved job check
- A full-time job (at least 30 hours a week)
- Either two years of relevant work experience, which doesn't have to be continuous, or a relevant qualification at NZQCF level 4 or higher
- English evidence if the job is skill level 3, 4 or 5, typically an approved test result no more than two years old (for lower-skilled jobs the bar has been around IELTS 4.0 overall or an equivalent score)
- An NZQA International Qualification Assessment for overseas qualifications below bachelor's level, if you rely on the qualification
- Occupational registration where the job requires it, such as nursing, teaching or electrical work
- Good health and character
Experience must be in the same field as the job unless you hold a bachelor's degree or higher. INZ wants independent proof: payslips, tax records or employment certificates as well as reference letters. A CV on its own is not enough.
Some jobs are excluded entirely, including horticulture and viticulture crop work (which runs through the seasonal scheme), foreign fishing crew roles, and self-employment.
Costs and Fees
| Cost | Amount (NZD) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Standard accreditation (up to 5 migrant workers) | 775 | Employer |
| High-volume accreditation (6 or more) | 1,280 | Employer |
| Job check | 735 | Employer |
| AEWV visa application | From 1,540 | You |
| Medical and chest X-ray | Roughly 300 to 700 | You |
| Police certificates, translations, IQA | Roughly 200 to 900 | You |
| English test (if needed) | Roughly 350 to 500 | You |
Fees are from INZ's accreditation and job check fee page. Use the INZ fee tool for your exact visa fee, as it can vary by where you apply.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Find an accredited employer. INZ publishes a searchable list of accredited employers. Check that the business you're talking to appears on it.
- Get a written job offer. It should show the job title, duties, hours, hourly rate or salary, and location.
- Wait for the employer's job check approval. Your employer then sends you a job token number.
- Gather your documents. Passport, experience evidence, qualifications, English results, registration and police certificates.
- Book your medical. Use an INZ panel physician. Results usually need to be under three months old when you apply.
- Apply online. Enter the job token, upload documents and pay the fee.
- Respond quickly to INZ requests. Most applications are decided within about five weeks, but a missing document can add weeks.
- Travel and start work. You must work for the named employer in the approved role and location.
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for the length of the visa
- Job token and signed employment agreement
- Reference letters with dates, hours and duties
- Payslips, tax records or employment certificates supporting each reference
- Qualification certificates and NZQA assessment where needed
- English test results if the job is skill level 3 to 5
- Occupational registration or provisional registration
- Medical certificate and chest X-ray
- Police certificates from countries where you've lived 5 years or more since turning 17
Bringing Your Family
Your partner and children can't be included in the AEWV itself. You support their separate visas instead.
- Partner work visa: generally available if your job is skill level 1 to 3 and pays at least NZD 28.00 an hour, or skill level 4 or 5 paying at least NZD 52.50 an hour (from March 2026).
- Dependent children: to support a child's student or visitor visa, you need to earn above an income threshold, which was NZD 55,844 a year in 2025 and is reviewed periodically.
If your job pays near minimum wage, your family may only be able to visit. That reality splits many families, so do the maths before accepting.
From AEWV to Residence
The AEWV is temporary, but it's the starting point for most skilled residence in New Zealand:
- Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence): if your job is on Tier 1 and you meet its registration or qualification rules, you can apply for residence straight away.
- Green List Tier 2 (Work to Residence): after 24 months working in a Tier 2 role.
- Skilled Migrant Category: a six-point system based on qualifications, registration or income, plus New Zealand work experience. New pathways for experienced workers and tradespeople took effect in August 2026.
- Sector routes: such as the transport work to residence pathway for some drivers.
All of these require the job to be with an accredited employer and paid at or above set thresholds tied to the NZD 35.00 median wage. Our full guide to the Skilled Migrant Category and Green List walks through the points.
If you hold a skill level 4 or 5 AEWV and none of these fits, you can stay a maximum of three years. After that you normally have to spend 12 months outside New Zealand before applying for another AEWV.
Common Refusal Reasons
- Experience evidence that can't be verified, or reference letters with no supporting payslips
- Jobs assessed at a different skill level than the employer claimed
- English test results that are too old or below the minimum
- Missing registration for a regulated occupation
- Undeclared previous refusals or immigration history
- Doubts about whether the job offer is genuine
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AEWV jobs still have to pay the median wage?
No. Since 10 March 2025, most AEWV jobs only need to pay the market rate for the role and at least the minimum wage, which is NZD 23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026. The NZD 35.00 median wage still matters for residence, family visas and advertising exemptions.
How long can I stay on an AEWV?
Skill level 1 to 3 jobs can lead to a stay of up to five years. Skill level 4 and 5 jobs have a maximum continuous stay of three years. After that, you must usually leave New Zealand for 12 months before getting another AEWV.
Can I change employers on an AEWV?
Yes, but the new employer must be accredited and pass its own job check. You then apply to change the employment conditions on your visa or for a new AEWV. You can't start the new job until INZ approves the change.
Do I need IELTS for the AEWV?
You need to show English if your job is skill level 3, 4 or 5. Skill level 3 was added on 1 June 2026. You can use an approved test or other evidence such as citizenship of an English-speaking country or previous study in English. Skill level 1 and 2 roles don't have a set minimum for the AEWV.
How much does the AEWV cost?
The visa application fee starts at NZD 1,540. Add medicals, police certificates, translations and any English test, and most people spend NZD 2,500 to NZD 3,500 in total. The employer pays accreditation and job check fees, and must not pass them on to you.
Can an AEWV lead to permanent residence?
Yes, through the Green List, the Skilled Migrant Category or sector pathways. Residence visas come first, and you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after holding residence for two years.
Before You Apply
- Confirm the employer appears on INZ's accredited employer list, and never pay a fee for a job offer.
- Work out the skill level of your job, because it decides your visa length, English needs and family rights.
- Collect payslips or tax records for every job you'll use as experience, not just reference letters.
- If residence is your goal, check now whether your occupation is on the Green List and what pay rate it requires.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Fees, quotas and requirements change often, so confirm every detail on the official government website before you apply or pay anyone. See our editorial policy.
