New Zealand's work visa system is built around one central pathway — the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — alongside several additional visa types for specific circumstances: post-study graduates, partners, working holidaymakers, and some specialist purposes. Understanding which pathway applies to you, what it requires, and where it leads is the starting point for any work visa plan.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The AEWV is the main work visa for the overwhelming majority of people coming to New Zealand to work. It replaced the Essential Skills Work Visa in July 2022 and is now the standard pathway for employer-sponsored work in New Zealand.
The AEWV has three distinct stages, each handled by a different party:
Stage 1 — Employer accreditation: Before any AEWV can be issued, the employer must be accredited by INZ. Standard accreditation is available to employers hiring one or a small number of migrants; high-volume accreditation applies to larger users of the system. Accreditation involves INZ checking that the employer is a genuine, operating New Zealand business, is compliant with employment law, and commits to meeting specific obligations toward migrant employees (including providing settlement information and not exploiting workers). Most established businesses obtain accreditation without difficulty.
Stage 2 — Job Check: Once accredited, the employer applies for a Job Check for the specific role they want to fill with a migrant worker. The Job Check confirms that the role genuinely exists, pays the applicable wage, and (for most roles) that the employer has first tried to find a New Zealand worker. The labour market test typically requires advertising the role in New Zealand for a minimum period. Some roles are exempt from advertising requirements (primarily Skill Level 1–3 roles where a labour market test is not required under current settings). Job Check processing typically takes 10+ working days.
Stage 3 — Worker visa application: Once the employer has accreditation and an approved Job Check, the worker applies for the AEWV. The worker's application includes their passport, evidence of meeting any skill and qualification requirements for the role, and health and character documentation.
AEWV Wage Requirements
The wage threshold is the most important eligibility factor for workers:
- Skill Level 1–3 roles (professional, technical, trade roles under the ANZSCO classification): must be paid at or above the median wage, currently NZ$35.00 per hour (effective March 2026). This applies regardless of the specific occupation.
- Skill Level 4–5 roles (clerical, service, labouring): the median wage requirement was removed in 2025. These roles now only need to meet the minimum wage. However, Skill Level 4–5 workers on the AEWV cannot bring partners under the standard partner work visa pathway unless they're earning above the median wage.
For more detail on how the wage threshold is calculated and its effect on partner rights and residence, see median wage explained.
AEWV Conditions: Named Employer, Role, and Location
An AEWV is not an open work visa. It is tied to the specific employer named in the Job Check, the role described in the Job Check, and the work location. You cannot simply change employers or move to a different site without a new visa application (or in some cases, a variation of conditions).
If your employer's business is sold to new owners, you're technically working for a different employer — which can trigger a need to vary your visa. If your role changes significantly (different duties, different title), the same issue arises. This is one of the most common practical problems for AEWV holders to navigate. Get advice promptly if your employment situation changes.
AEWV Duration and Caps
A single AEWV is granted for up to three years (or the duration of the job, whichever is shorter). You can renew by submitting a new AEWV application.
There are cumulative time caps on AEWV employment that vary by skill level:
- Skill Level 4–5 workers face a total of 5 years on AEWV visas before they must leave the country for a period before applying again (unless they obtain residence first)
- Skill Level 1–3 workers have more flexibility but should track their total AEWV tenure
The purpose of these caps is to encourage a pathway to residence rather than permanent temporary work status. For most people in Skill Level 1–3 roles, the AEWV is a transition to residence — through the Green List, the Skilled Migrant Category, or another residence pathway.
See Accredited Employer Work Visa for the full detail on requirements, the Job Check process, and specific conditions.
Post-Study Work Visas
Graduates who complete a qualifying New Zealand qualification can apply for an open work visa — the Post-Study Work Visa — which lets them work for any employer without needing employer sponsorship. This is a significant benefit: open work rights while building New Zealand work experience and pursuing residence.
The duration of the Post-Study Work Visa depends on the qualification level and where you studied:
- Level 7 Bachelor's degree in Auckland: 1 year
- Level 7 Bachelor's degree outside Auckland: 2 years (the regional bonus)
- Level 8 postgraduate diploma: 2 years
- Level 9 master's or Level 10 doctorate: 3 years
The Post-Study Work Visa cannot be extended. It's a fixed-duration open work visa; if you want to continue working in New Zealand beyond that period, you need to transition to another visa category — typically the AEWV with an employer, or a residence pathway if you qualify.
See post-study work visa for the specific eligibility criteria and how to time your application.
Partner and Dependent Work Rights
Partners of AEWV holders are eligible for their own open work visa — the Partner of a Worker Work Visa — provided the AEWV holder is earning at or above the median wage (NZ$35.00/hr). This open work visa lets the partner work for any employer, which is a significant advantage compared to employer-specific conditions.
If the AEWV holder is earning below the median wage (which applies to some Skill Level 4–5 roles), the partner is not eligible for the partner open work visa. This is one of the more significant practical impacts of the wage threshold.
Partners of postgraduate students at Level 8 and above typically qualify for open work rights alongside the student. Partners of undergraduate students have more limited options — check current INZ settings for the specific study level.
Children don't receive work rights through their parents' visas while under 18. Dependent children between 18 and 24 can in some circumstances apply for their own work visas.
Working Holiday Visas
Working holiday visas are bilateral arrangements between New Zealand and around 45 countries, designed for young people who want to spend time in New Zealand combining travel with some work to fund their trip. The key features:
Age: Most agreements require applicants to be aged 18–30 at the time of application. A few countries have extended limits — UK and Canadian citizens can apply up to age 35, and some others. The age limit applies at the application date, not at arrival.
Duration: Usually 12 months. Some countries have 23-month arrangements. Extensions are generally not available — working holiday visas are once-only opportunities for most nationalities (some countries allow a second working holiday after a first).
Work rights: Working holiday visas provide open work rights — you can work for any employer. However, you cannot work for the same employer for more than three months (this is the standard condition for most agreements). The three-month limit is per employer, not cumulative.
No residence pathway: Working holiday visas are not designed as a pathway to residence. They're a short-term mobility arrangement. Some people use a working holiday to explore New Zealand, secure a job, and then transition to an AEWV — but this requires the employer to go through the accreditation and Job Check process, and the transition needs to be planned before the working holiday expires.
See working holiday visa for the full country-by-country details.
Specific Purpose Work Visas
Some work situations don't fit neatly into the AEWV or standard categories. Specific Purpose Work Visas are available for situations including:
- Religious workers employed by religious organisations
- Entertainers (musicians, performers) on New Zealand tours
- Sports professionals and coaches
- Intra-company transferees in specific circumstances
- Some other defined categories
These visas are assessed individually against the specific requirements for each category. They're not a general-purpose alternative to the AEWV — they have defined purposes and eligibility criteria.
Choosing the Right Work Visa
The decision tree is usually straightforward:
- Job offer from an accredited NZ employer → AEWV
- Just graduated from NZ study → Post-Study Work Visa
- Partner of someone on an AEWV at median wage or above → Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- Under 30 (or 35 for some nationalities), want to explore NZ → Working Holiday Visa
- In a specific purpose situation (religious, entertainment, sports) → Specific Purpose Work Visa
The harder questions arise when you're deciding between visa types when multiple could apply, planning which visa to use as a stepping stone toward residence, or managing conditions that change mid-visa (employer changes, role changes, relationship changes). These situations benefit from professional advice.
Work Visas and the Residence Pathway
Most people on work visas in New Zealand have a longer-term intention to obtain residence. The connection between work visas and residence pathways matters for planning:
Green List occupations: If your occupation is on the Green List, your work visa experience (for Tier 2) or a job offer (for Tier 1) forms the basis for a residence application. Plan your AEWV tenure to build the required 24 months for Tier 2, and check whether Tier 1 direct residence might be available sooner.
Skilled Migrant Category: Your AEWV employment — particularly if it's at median wage or above in a skilled role outside Auckland — earns SMC points. The SMC is points-based, so the more NZ work experience and qualifications you accumulate, the stronger your Expression of Interest becomes.
Managing the transition: The most common risk is letting your work visa expire while your residence application is pending. File a new work visa renewal before your current visa expires — this gives you an interim visa that maintains your lawful status throughout the wait. See visa extensions for how the interim visa mechanism works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change jobs while on an AEWV?
Not without a new visa. The AEWV is tied to your specific employer, role, and location. If you want to move to a different employer, your new employer needs to be accredited and have a Job Check approved for your role before you can apply for a new AEWV. Continue working under your current visa while the new application is processed.
What if my employer is sold to a new owner?
A business sale transfers the employment contract but changes the legal employer entity. Your AEWV was granted based on the original accredited employer — the new owner needs their own accreditation. Get advice promptly when you learn of a sale, and don't assume your visa automatically continues.
My employer isn't accredited. Can I still get a work visa?
Not through the AEWV — employer accreditation is mandatory. If your employer is willing to employ you, they need to apply for accreditation first. Standard accreditation is accessible for most genuine businesses. If your employer won't go through accreditation, they're either not eligible or unwilling to comply with the obligations involved — neither is a good sign.
How long does an AEWV take to process?
Processing times vary. Once the employer has accreditation and an approved Job Check, the worker visa application itself is often processed within several weeks for straightforward cases. Delays arise from requests for further information, additional verification of qualifications, or high application volumes. Check INZ's current processing times when planning your timeline.
Need help identifying the right work visa pathway? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can assess your situation and guide your application.