Overview
The AEWV is a temporary work visa. Three things have to be in place: the employer is accredited, the job has an approved job check, and you meet the skill requirements.
Residence is a separate step. Skilled residence visas, including the Skilled Migrant Category and the Green List pathways, have their own criteria and fees.
A visitor visa does not let you work in New Zealand.
Work routes
| Route | Who it is for | Job offer or sponsor needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | Workers with a full-time job offer from an accredited employer | Yes. Accredited employer and approved job check |
| Straight to Residence Visa | People in Green List Tier 1 roles | A job or offer in a Tier 1 role; no New Zealand work experience needed |
| Work to Residence Visa | People in Green List Tier 2 roles | New Zealand work experience in the role is required first |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Skilled people aged 55 or under | Three pathways: points-based, skilled work experience, and trades and technician |
Immigration New Zealand lists further work visas for specific purposes. This guide covers the routes most Indian employees use.
Eligibility
Accredited Employer Work Visa
- An offer of full-time work, at least 30 hours a week, from an accredited employer with an approved job check.
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience, or a level 4 or higher qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. A bachelor’s degree qualifies in any field.
- English language evidence if the job is at skill level 3, 4 or 5.
- Occupational registration, if the job requires it.
- Good health and character. A chest X-ray is needed for stays of 6 months or more from countries with higher TB rates, and police certificates for stays of 24 months or more.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- Aged 55 or under.
- One of three pathways: 6 skilled resident points, skilled work experience, or an eligible trades or technician role.
- From 24 August 2026, the New Zealand work experience required for most migrants is a maximum of 2 years.
Green List pathways
- Tier 1 roles qualify for the Straight to Residence Visa without New Zealand work experience.
- Tier 2 roles qualify for the Work to Residence Visa after New Zealand work experience.
Job offer and sponsorship
For the AEWV you need a job offer before you apply, and only an accredited employer can make it. The employer also has to pass a job check for the specific role. The offer must be genuine, available and ongoing, and based in New Zealand.
There is no general job-seeker work visa among these routes.
Who does what
Work visa applications fail most often when it is unclear who is responsible for which step. This is how the duties are split.
What the employer does
- Hold accreditation with Immigration New Zealand.
- Get a job check approved for the role.
- Offer at least 30 hours a week at a wage that meets the requirements.
- Give you the job details needed for your application.
What you do
- Show 2 years of relevant experience or a qualifying qualification.
- Meet the English requirement for skill level 3 to 5 jobs.
- Provide health and character evidence.
- Apply online and pay the visa fee.
- Work only for the accredited employer named on your visa.
Documents
Common documents
- Valid passport
- Job offer from your accredited employer, linked to an approved job check
- Evidence of 2 years of relevant work experience, or your qualification
- Chest X-ray, if you will stay 6 months or more
- Police certificates, if you will stay 24 months or more in total
- Occupational registration, where the job requires it
Route-specific documents
| Route or case | Additional documents |
|---|---|
| Jobs at skill level 3, 4 or 5 | English language test results |
| Skilled residence visas | Evidence for your pathway: points, skilled work experience or trade role |
For photo sizes and background rules, see our visa photo requirements tool.
How to apply
Find a job with an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand.
The employer completes the job check and sends you the link to apply.
Gather your experience or qualification evidence, and English results if needed.
Apply online and pay the fee.
Provide your chest X-ray and police certificates when required.
Wait for the decision, then travel and start work with that employer.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | From NZD 1,540 | The visa application fee |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | From NZD 6,450 | The residence application fee |
| Employer accreditation and job check | Not confirmed here | Paid by the employer |
| Medical checks and police certificates | Vary by provider | Paid to the clinic or issuing authority |
Fees are in New Zealand dollars. “From” means the amount can vary with where and how you apply.
Processing time
| Stage or route | Official timeframe |
|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 80% of applications within 5.5 weeks |
| Skilled residence visas | Not confirmed here |
The AEWV figure is Immigration New Zealand’s published timeframe for most applications; individual cases can take longer.
Validity and renewal
| Route | Validity | Renewal and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| AEWV, jobs at skill levels 1 to 3 | Up to 5 years | Maximum continuous stay of 5 years |
| AEWV, jobs at skill levels 4 and 5 | Up to 3 years | Maximum continuous stay of 3 years |
| Skilled residence visas | Residence | Subject to the conditions of the visa |
Family and job changes
Dependants
You cannot include family in an AEWV application. You may be able to support a partner for a visitor or work visa and children for visitor or student visas.
Whether you can do so depends on your income and the skill level of your job, so check Immigration New Zealand’s conditions before you apply.
Changing employers
An AEWV lets you work only for the accredited employer specified on the visa. You cannot take a second job or be self-employed. To move to a different employer, the visa has to be changed or a new one granted first. Confirm the process with Immigration New Zealand.
Common mistakes
- A job offer from an employer that is not accredited.
- A role without an approved job check.
- Less than 2 years of relevant experience and no qualifying qualification.
- No English evidence for a skill level 3 to 5 job.
- Assuming family can be added to the AEWV application.
- Taking a second job or freelance work on an AEWV.
How we can help
My Visa Assistance provides visa information, document checklists and application support. For a work visa or permit, that means:
- An assessment call to identify which route fits your job offer and profile.
- A personalised document checklist for that route.
- Help completing the application forms and booking appointments.
- A review of your file before you submit it.
What we do not do: we are not a recruitment agency or a registered recruiting agent, we do not arrange jobs or employer sponsorship, and we cannot guarantee approval. Decisions are made only by the government authorities.
Send us an enquiry or call +91 85518 05523. If you are travelling as a visitor instead, see our New Zealand visa guide.
FAQs
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is New Zealand’s main temporary work visa. It needs a full-time job offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check.
Immigration New Zealand lists the Accredited Employer Work Visa fee as from NZD 1,540.
Immigration New Zealand processes 80% of Accredited Employer Work Visa applications within 5.5 weeks.
Up to 5 years in a job at skill levels 1 to 3, and up to 3 years in a job at skill levels 4 or 5.
Either at least 2 years of relevant work experience, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. A bachelor’s degree qualifies whatever the field.
Only if your job is at skill level 3, 4 or 5, unless an exemption applies.
Not in your own application. Your partner may apply for a visitor or work visa and your children for visitor or student visas, depending on your income and job skill level.
Residence is a separate application. Options include the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and the Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas.
Official sources
Last verified: . The facts on this page come from these official pages. Immigration rules, fees and timeframes change, so confirm them before you apply.
- Immigration New Zealand: Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Immigration New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- Immigration New Zealand: getting residence based on your skills
- Immigration New Zealand: further Skilled Migrant Category changes from 24 August 2026
What we could not verify
- Income thresholds for supporting a partner or children were not confirmed.
- The procedure and fee for changing employer on an AEWV were not confirmed.
- Employer accreditation and job check fees, and residence processing times, were not confirmed.