The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main way Indian professionals and tradespeople work in New Zealand. It runs in three stages: the employer gains accreditation (NZD 740) and a job check (NZD 735) proving the role was advertised and pays the market rate, then the worker applies online for NZD 1,540 with the job token. Since 10 March 2025 there is no median-wage threshold, but ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 roles need 2 years' relevant experience or a qualification plus IELTS 4.0 and are capped at 3 years; level 1 to 3 roles get up to 5 years and a path to residence. Decisions take 4 to 8 weeks after the job check.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the New Zealand AEWV route page. This article is the long version: how the three stages fit together, who pays what, the skill and English rules by ANZSCO level, the timeline for an Indian hire, family rights and the reasons applications fail.
Who qualifies for the Accredited Employer Work Visa?
A worker with a full-time offer (at least 30 hours a week) from an accredited employer for a role that has passed the job check, who meets the role's skill requirements. For ANZSCO level 1 to 3 occupations (engineers, software developers, accountants, nurses, electricians, chefs, early childhood teachers) the employer sets the qualifications or experience. For level 4 and 5 occupations (kitchen hands, caregivers, labourers, drivers, dairy workers) the worker needs at least 2 years' relevant experience or a level 4 qualification, plus English at IELTS 4.0 overall, PTE 29 or TOEFL iBT 31.
Indian engineers, IT professionals, nurses, chefs, construction trades, truck drivers and dairy workers all use this visa. Green List roles, such as registered nurses, civil engineers, electricians and secondary teachers, also unlock the Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas described in the New Zealand Skilled Migrant residence guide. Health and character are standard: a chest X-ray and medical, and an Indian police clearance certificate.
How do accreditation, the job check and the worker visa fit together?
| Stage | Who applies | Requirements | Fee | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer accreditation | New Zealand employer | Genuine business, no immigration or employment breaches, settlement support commitments; standard (up to 5 migrants) or high-volume | NZD 740 standard; NZD 1,220 high-volume | About 10 working days |
| Job check | Employer | Role advertised nationally for 14 days (21 for ANZSCO 4 to 5), market-rate pay, 30 hours or more, employment agreement | NZD 735 per check | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Worker's AEWV | Indian worker with the job token | Skills and experience for the role, English for level 4 to 5, health, character | NZD 1,540 | 4 to 8 weeks |
From 10 March 2025 Immigration New Zealand removed the median-wage requirement from the AEWV, so the employer pays the market rate for the role rather than a fixed NZD 33.56 an hour. The median wage still governs the Skilled Migrant Category, partner work rights and the 3-year cap. Level 4 and 5 roles paid under 1.5 times the median (NZD 52.50 an hour) are limited to 3 years with a 12-month stand-down abroad before a new AEWV, unless the role is on the Green List.
How much does the AEWV cost, and who pays?
| Item | Fee | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Employer accreditation | NZD 740 standard; NZD 1,220 high-volume | Employer; cannot be recovered from the worker |
| Job check | NZD 735 per role | Employer |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | NZD 1,540 | Worker (many employers reimburse) |
| Medical and chest X-ray | INR 5,000 to 8,000 | Worker |
| Indian police clearance certificate | INR 500 | Worker |
| English test (ANZSCO 4 to 5) | INR 17,000 to 18,000 | Worker |
| Partner of a Worker Work Visa | NZD 1,630 | Partner |
New Zealand has no immigration skills charge, health surcharge or sponsorship levy, and charging recruitment costs to migrants is an offence under the Employment Relations Act. Vistolane charges the NZD 1,540 fee at the official rate and shows the medical and tests separately on the New Zealand destination page.
How does the application run?
- Employer accreditation: the employer applies in the Immigration Online employer portal (NZD 740) and commits to settlement support; accreditation lasts 12 months at first grant, then 24.
- Job check: the employer advertises for 14 or 21 days, prepares the employment agreement at the market rate and pays NZD 735; approved roles produce a job token.
- The worker gathers evidence: qualifications and experience letters for the role, IELTS 4.0 for level 4 to 5, chest X-ray and medical, Indian police certificate.
- Apply online with the job token and pay NZD 1,540; upload documents, attend VFS Global India for biometrics if requested; 4 to 8 weeks to decision.
- Receive the eVisa, arrive within the first-entry window, apply for an IRD number and receive the employer's settlement information within the first month.
What is the timeline for an Indian hire?
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | About 10 working days | Skip if the employer is already accredited |
| Advertising and job check | 4 to 6 weeks | 14 or 21 days of advertising plus the decision |
| Medical and police certificate | 2 to 4 weeks | In parallel with the job check |
| Worker's visa | 4 to 8 weeks | Green List roles prioritised |
| Arrival | Within the first-entry date | Usually 3 to 4 months from offer |
Employers in healthcare, construction and IT routinely bring Indian staff through this route; the slowest step is usually the employer's first accreditation, so ask early whether it is in place. The processing times page tracks current turnaround.
What happens after arrival: changing jobs, family and residence?
AEWV holders may work only for the accredited employer named on the visa; a new job needs a job check by the new employer and a variation or new visa. Partners of workers in ANZSCO level 1 to 3 roles paid at least NZD 28.00 an hour, or any role paid NZD 52.50 or more, qualify for the Partner of a Worker Work Visa with open work rights; otherwise the partner receives a visitor visa. Dependent children attend school as domestic students when the worker earns at least NZD 55,844 a year. The New Zealand partner visa guide sets out the evidence.
Residence follows through the Skilled Migrant Category (6 points from qualifications, registration or income plus years of skilled work), the Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas, or the sector agreements for care and transport workers. Level 4 and 5 workers without a residence pathway must leave for 12 months after 3 years before holding a new AEWV.
Why are AEWV applications refused, and what fixes each reason?
Skills not matched to the role. Experience letters vague or shorter than 2 years for a level 4 to 5 role. Obtain detailed letters on letterhead with duties and dates; add payslips and provident fund records.
English not evidenced. No test for an ANZSCO 4 to 5 job. Sit IELTS or PTE before lodging; level 1 to 3 roles are exempt.
Job check inconsistent. Pay or hours in the agreement differ from the job check. Ask the employer to align the agreement before the worker applies.
Health or character. Chest X-ray missing or undisclosed convictions. Complete the medical early and declare everything with context.
Employer accreditation lapsed. Accreditation expired between job check and visa decision. Check the expiry date and renew before lodging.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane's licensed immigration adviser partner coordinates the employer's accreditation and job check and files the NZD 1,540 visa at the official rate, with the medical and police certificate scheduled in parallel. Start with the free eligibility check or the New Zealand AEWV route page. Workers weighing the region can read the Australia Skills in Demand visa guide and the UK Skilled Worker visa guide.
