Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand

Accredited Employer Work Visa · New Zealand visa route

skilled · last reviewed 2026-06 · all New Zealand routes

An employer-led or qualification-based work route.

Important notes

• The AEWV requires a job with an accredited employer and meeting AEWV job-skill requirements.
• The applicant generally needs at least two years of relevant work experience or a level 4+ NZQCF qualification. Extra evidence may not be required for a Green List role, relevant occupational registration, pay of at least NZD 67.12 an hour, or where the same evidence was accepted in an earlier visa application.
• Employer must be accredited; job check/occupation/wage and skill rules apply; some roles have English requirements.

Preparation checklist

• Save your submitted files and track the next application or renewal date.

Official source

Official source: New Zealand official source

Regulated occupations: registration comes first

Nursing and teaching are regulated: without registration from the responsible authority you cannot work in those roles. Their immigration sequences differ. Primary, intermediate and secondary teachers who meet the Green List Tier 1 requirements should first check whether they can apply for Straight to Residence from China; the AEWV is the work-visa alternative where that residence route does not fit. A nurse usually has to enter for an in-person competence assessment first, with this visa following registration.

🩺 Chinese nurses: this visa is not your first step Without Nursing Council registration you cannot get a work visa for a nurse role. Entry is normally on an Occupational Registration Visitor Visa to sit the OSCE, with this visa following registration. TruMerit, 1,800 hours and IELTS 7.0 are covered here. 🎓 Chinese school teachers: check Straight to Residence first The Teaching IQA and Teaching Council registration can both be completed from China. Eligible primary, intermediate and secondary teachers with a qualifying offer from an accredited employer can apply for residence offshore; otherwise, consider the AEWV. Practicum, English and registration details are covered here.

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Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.