AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) is a temporary work visa for people who have a job offer from a New Zealand employer who is accredited with Immigration New Zealand. It’s designed to fill roles where New Zealanders are unavailable, with protections in place to ensure fairness and proper employment terms.

You must meet several criteria:
Job offer: You need a full-time job offer from an employer accredited by INZ.
Job Check: The employer must perform a job check – show they have advertised the job locally and were unsuccessful in finding a suitable New Zealand citizen or resident, unless a waiver applies.
Skills & Experience: Usually at least 2 years of relevant work experience OR a relevant qualification. The requirement of 3 years was reduced to 2 years from early March 2025.
Health & Character: You must meet health and character requirements.
Wages: You must be paid at or above the New Zealand market rate. As of March 10 2025, the median wage requirement was removed; roles must still meet market rate. Minimum wage applies.

For higher-skilled roles (ANZSCO levels 1-3), you can often stay up to 5 years.
For lower-skilled roles (ANZSCO levels 4-5), since March 2025, visa duration for new AEWVs is 3 years maximum, aligning with new policy changes.

Yes — AEWV holders may be able to include their partner and dependents, depending on their job, income, and whether the role meets specific criteria set by INZ.

The median wage requirement for AEWV was removed. Employers now must pay at least market rate (which might be above minimum wage) but no longer must meet the median wage for most roles.
Required work experience dropped from three years to two years for most roles.
Visa durations for ANZSCO level 4-5 roles increased (longer stay allowed under AEWV) to 3 years.
Income threshold to support dependent children increased from NZD $43,323 to $55,844 (80% of median wage).

You’re allowed to live and work legally in New Zealand for the duration of the AEWV.
Employment must align with the Job Check: duties, pay, hours etc. Terms must comply with New Zealand employment law.
Ability to change employers may depend on the visa conditions. It depends whether their visa is employer-tied or open under certain conditions. (Check the specific visa conditions).

AEWV can sometimes lead to residence, particularly if the role is on NZ’s Green List or meets other INZ residence pathway criteria. Two years of full-time work for an accredited employer in qualifying roles may allow you to apply for residence.