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AEWV Employer Accreditation and Job Check: How They Work

To hire a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa, a New Zealand employer first gets accredited (NZD 775 standard, 1,280 high-volume), usually advertises the job, then pays NZD 735 for each job check. INZ's wait times page showed accreditation averaging 2 days and job checks about 2 days, with most done within 1 to 1.5 weeks.

Before a migrant worker can apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, the employer has two steps of its own: employer accreditation, and a job check for the particular job. People searching "AEWV job check cost" or "AEWV accreditation" are usually employers working out what each step involves, or workers trying to understand why their offer depends on it.

This guide explains the steps as Immigration New Zealand (INZ) publishes them on its AEWV employer accreditation and job check pages, its advertising and Work and Income pages, its payment page, its declined-applications page and its wait times page, all read on 9 October 2026. It describes the process. It does not say whether any business would be accredited or any job would pass a job check, because that is a judgement on a business's own facts, and in New Zealand advising on it is immigration advice reserved for licensed immigration advisers and lawyers.

A note for workers: the costs of accreditation and job checks belong to the employer. INZ's rules say employers cannot pass them on.

The overall sequence

INZ's process page sets out six steps for an employer that wants to hire a migrant on an AEWV:

  1. Apply for employer accreditation.
  2. Advertise the job and, for some jobs, engage with Work and Income.
  3. Apply for a job check.
  4. Ask the migrant worker to apply for the visa.
  5. Meet the employer's obligations and help the worker settle.
  6. Renew accreditation, or change it if circumstances change.

Accreditation attaches to the business. The job check attaches to a specific job, with a given pay, location and set of minimum requirements. A job check application can include several positions for the same job, pay, location and minimum requirements. A worker can only apply for the type of AEWV the job check was approved for: INZ's example is that a job check approved for a Peak Seasonal Visa can only be used to hire someone applying for that visa.

INZ notes that an accredited employer is also needed for several residence routes (the Skilled Migrant Category, Work to Residence, Care Workforce Work to Residence, Transport Work to Residence and Straight to Residence), although no job check is required for those.

Who can be accredited, and what types exist

INZ lists who can apply for accreditation:

  • the business must be viable and genuinely operating;
  • it must meet INZ's financial requirements;
  • the applicant must not be bankrupt or subject to a No Asset Procedure; and
  • the business entity that holds the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) must hold the accreditation.

A business cannot be accredited if it, or any relevant person in its organisation, is on the Employer stand-down list, is on the Immigration stand-down list or is permanently banned from hiring migrants.

Financial requirement. To show viability, the business needs to meet one of four tests: no loss (before depreciation and tax) in the last 2 years; positive cash flow in each of the last 6 months; sufficient capital or external investment to remain viable; or a credible business plan for at least the next 2 years, for example showing contracts for work. INZ says evidence can be uploaded with the application to avoid delays.

Three accreditation types exist, and only one can be applied for at a time:

  • Standard accreditation for New Zealand businesses hiring up to 5 migrants.
  • High-volume accreditation for businesses hiring 6 or more.
  • Triangular employer accreditation for businesses that place migrants with a controlling third party while being the named employer; there is no limit on numbers. INZ requires a history of placing staff in New Zealand for the past 12 months and that at least 15% of staff placed are New Zealand citizens or residents guaranteed at least 30 hours a week.

Trusts, partnerships and sole traders have additional requirements about where a partner, trustee or sole trader normally lives and who is named on the employment agreement. The type can be changed later; INZ says an application cannot be upgraded while it is being assessed.

Applications go through Immigration Online using RealMe, and INZ says employers can share information with licensed immigration advisers and other users through a network on the dashboard.

What accreditation and a job check cost

INZ's payment page showed these fees on 9 October 2026, all in New Zealand dollars:

  • Standard accreditation: NZD 775.
  • High-volume accreditation: NZD 1,280.
  • Triangular employer accreditation: NZD 4,060.
  • Upgrading from standard to high-volume accreditation: NZD 505.
  • Job check: NZD 735 per application.
  • Reconsideration of a declined accreditation application, or of a declined job check: NZD 250 each.

Payment is made online at the end of the application by credit card, debit card or China UnionPay. If an employer applies for the wrong accreditation type, INZ's renewal page says it will need to apply again and pay another application fee, and the first fee cannot be refunded.

INZ lists AEWV fees for the worker separately in its fee finder. The worker's visa fee was NZD 1,540 on the same date. Employer fees are not passed on to workers; see the section on obligations below.

Advertising the job

Before applying for a job check, INZ says the employer must advertise the job for at least 2 weeks, unless the job is exempt. The reason given: the employer must check whether suitable and available New Zealanders can do the job and "make genuine attempts to attract and recruit New Zealand workers". INZ defines a suitable and available New Zealander as someone who is a citizen or resident, qualified or trainable for the job, living close or able to move, with a practical way of travelling to the job, and available for full-time work.

Where. A general national job listing website or platform where citizens and residents are likely to apply, for example Seek or Trade Me, with industry-specific sites as additional options.

How long. At least 14 days for ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 jobs and for NOL occupations that can be used for an AEWV; at least 21 days for ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs, plus good-faith engagement with Work and Income.

What the advertisement must contain. A job description with key tasks, duties and responsibilities; the minimum and maximum pay or salary (or estimated actual earnings where earnings are not guaranteed); the type of work and minimum guaranteed hours; and the minimum skills, experience and qualifications. INZ says the pay must be guaranteed income, and the pay offered must match what was advertised. The job must guarantee at least 30 hours a week. INZ also warns that the AEWV's own minimum skill requirements may be higher than a job needs, and should not be listed in the advertisement unless genuinely required.

Exemptions from advertising. The job is on the Green List and meets the Green List requirements; or it pays at least NZD 70.00 an hour; or it is on the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa jobs list and the employer is hiring someone on that visa.

Recruitment agencies. INZ says an employer can use one to advertise and find applicants but cannot pass recruitment costs on to job applicants.

Engaging with Work and Income

For ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs, INZ requires the employer to engage in good faith with Work and Income before applying for a job check, in addition to advertising elsewhere.

INZ defines good faith. When applying for the job check the employer must declare it has engaged in good faith, which means at least: completing Work and Income's form about the vacancy; responding within 3 working days when Work and Income makes contact; making sure the qualifications and experience given to Work and Income match the advertisement and are genuinely required; listing the job with Work and Income unless they say they have no suitable candidates; allowing enough time for referrals (INZ says this can take up to 10 working days) and for interviews; and interviewing and appointing any referred candidates the employer thinks are suitable.

Exemptions: ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 jobs; NOL occupations usable for an AEWV; Green List jobs that meet the Green List requirements; jobs paying at least NZD 70.00 an hour; and Global Workforce Seasonal Visa jobs. For the Peak Seasonal Visa, an employer can engage with Work and Income or obtain an endorsement letter.

The contact person given to Work and Income must be someone responsible for hiring decisions or a recruitment adviser the business contracted. INZ says an immigration professional such as a licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer cannot be the contact person, because they are not responsible for hiring, although they can advise on the job check application.

The job check itself

INZ's process page says the job check application must be made within 90 days of the job advertisement closing (or of finishing engagement with Work and Income), the listing having closed. The job start date given must be within 6 months of submitting the application. The employer declares whether it found suitable New Zealanders and reports the number of candidates, the number of New Zealand citizens or residents who applied and the number assessed as suitable.

A job check is valid for 6 months or until accreditation ends.

Pay. INZ's pay rate page explains how the hourly rate is worked out: the average guaranteed pay for each hour of work in a pay period, including paid leave, must be at or above the threshold. For an hourly wage with a higher overtime rate, INZ uses the lowest hourly rate unless the extra hours and pay are guaranteed. For a salary for set hours, INZ divides the salary by 52 weeks and the hours; for a range of hours it divides by the maximum hours. INZ's worked example: NZD 53,040 a year for 40 hours a week gives NZD 25.50 an hour. Piece rates, performance payments and commissions are excluded unless there is a guaranteed top-up. Reasonable, agreed deductions such as accommodation are included in the calculation; allowances and performance-dependent bonuses are not.

INZ says some employers will need to change pay offers to meet the thresholds, and if the new rate falls outside the advertised range the role may need to be re-advertised and a new application made.

The employer then checks that the worker has the required skills, work experience or qualification, offers the job and asks the worker to apply for the AEWV.

How long INZ takes

INZ's wait times page, updated weekly and covering applications processed in the previous 4 weeks, showed on 9 October 2026:

  • Employer accreditation: average wait 2 days; most completed within 1 week.
  • Accreditation renewals: average 2 days; most within 1 week.
  • Job checks (all roles): average 2 days; most within 1.5 weeks.
  • Job checks for Green List roles: average 2 days; most within 3 days.
  • Job checks by skill level: most within 1 week for levels 1, 3, 4 and 5, and within 2 weeks for level 2.
  • AEWV for the worker (all roles): average 2 weeks; most within 5 weeks.

INZ defines "average wait time" as how long it took for 50% of applications to be processed and "most completed within" as the time for 80%. Both use working days and exclude weekends and public holidays. INZ warns that incomplete applications take longer, and may be declined. For renewals INZ recommends allowing at least 5 weeks.

These are INZ's recent figures for processed applications, not a promise for any application.

Renewal, obligations and declines

Renewal. A first accreditation is valid for 12 months. INZ says a renewed standard or high-volume accreditation lasts 24 months and a triangular one 12 months. If accreditation expires, the employer cannot hire new migrants on an AEWV or support an AEWV worker's further visa applications. INZ says employers that apply to renew before expiry may qualify for an interim 3-month accreditation in some circumstances. Renewal asks about settlement support: INZ says an employer that has not provided settlement information to all workers recruited since the last application within a month of them starting will be asked for evidence.

Obligations. Accredited employers commit to giving workers specific settlement information and support, not passing on accreditation, recruitment or operational costs, and complying with employment and immigration law. INZ may suspend or revoke accreditation. If it does, the employer cannot hire new AEWV migrants; workers already in New Zealand can continue to work for it.

Declines. INZ lists reasons it can decline: missing key information such as employment details, evidence the job was advertised or pay details; false or misleading information or withholding important information; not meeting all requirements; or accreditation that has expired, been suspended or been revoked during the process. A job check can also be declined if the role is not acceptable employment under the AEWV.

Reconsideration. INZ says to request one only if the employer thinks the application was incorrectly assessed, and that a change of decision is unlikely if the decline was for missing information or unmet requirements. It must be requested within 14 days, starting from the day after the decline, with the reasons stated, and the fee is NZD 250. It is considered on the information already provided; new information means a new application. The reviewing officer is not the one who declined it.

Finding a licensed immigration adviser

Migratio lists licensed immigration advisers so you can compare them and contact one directly. Every listing shows the adviser's licence number, which you can check on the Immigration Advisers Authority's public register before you book. We don't assess cases and don't tell anyone which visa or pathway fits them; that is the adviser's job.

Questions people ask

How much does AEWV employer accreditation cost?

INZ showed NZD 775 for standard accreditation (up to 5 migrants), NZD 1,280 for high-volume accreditation (6 or more) and NZD 4,060 for triangular employer accreditation on 9 October 2026. Upgrading from standard to high-volume was NZD 505.

How much is an AEWV job check?

INZ showed NZD 735 per job check application on 9 October 2026. A reconsideration of a declined job check costs NZD 250 and must be requested within 14 days of the decline.

How long does an AEWV job check take?

INZ's wait times page for applications processed in the previous 4 weeks showed an average of 2 days for job checks, with most completed within 1.5 weeks and Green List roles within 3 days. The page is updated weekly.

Does an employer have to advertise before a job check?

INZ says yes unless the job is exempt: the job is on the Green List and meets its requirements, pays at least NZD 70.00 an hour, or is a Global Workforce Seasonal Visa job. The minimum is 14 days for skill level 1 to 3 jobs and 21 days for skill level 4 or 5.

How long is a job check valid?

INZ says a job check is valid for 6 months, or until the employer no longer has accreditation. The job start date given in the application must be within 6 months of submitting it.

Can an employer pass accreditation costs to a worker?

No. INZ says accredited employers commit to not passing on accreditation, recruitment or operational costs to workers, and that employers cannot charge workers fees for a job.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

Related guides

  • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): The 2026 Rules — The Accredited Employer Work Visa is New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa. The job must be full-time (30+ hours), with an accredited employer holding an approved job check, and paid at least the required rate. INZ showed a fee of NZD 1,540 and 80% of applications within 5 weeks on 9 October 2026. The longest continuous stay is 5 years, or 3 years for skill level 4 or 5 jobs.
  • Paying for an NZ Job Offer: What INZ Says — Immigration New Zealand says New Zealand employers or agents cannot charge a worker fees for a job or make them pay recruitment costs, and that it will decline an Accredited Employer Work Visa application if the applicant or their agent offered or promised money for a job offer. INZ calls job offer scams common in India and South Asia.
  • AEWV Declined: What the Options Are — A declined AEWV can be reconsidered by INZ for NZD 220 if the worker applied in New Zealand and meets the 14-calendar-day rule; a declined employer job check or accreditation can be reconsidered for NZD 250 within 14 days of the day after the decline. Otherwise INZ describes a new application.
  • AEWV Job Change and Variation of Conditions: The Rules — An Accredited Employer Work Visa holder who wants a different employer, job or location applies online for a Job Change, which needs an accredited employer and a valid job check for the new job. It does not change the visa's expiry date, and the new job's maximum continuous stay can block a move.