Employer- and job-linked work permission after accreditation and an approved job check, with applicant skills, English and document checks. It is not automatic residence.
Route overview
Typical timeline / duration: Most skill-level 1–3 jobs allow up to five years' maximum continuous stay; level 4–5 jobs normally allow three, with role/pay/history exceptions. The actual visa may be shorter.
Important notes
Obtain a current offer for at least 30 hours a week from an accredited employer with an approved job check. Collect the signed offer, job description, lawful employment agreement and unique application link; pay must meet the applicable market rate.
The usual minimum-skills test is two years' relevant full-time-equivalent experience or an NZQCF level 4+ qualification. A bachelor's degree or higher can be in any field for this minimum test, but employer/job requirements and occupational registration still apply.
Evidence must be independently verifiable: a CV alone is insufficient. Support experience with employment records, hours, payslips/tax or other records. An overseas qualification below bachelor's needs the specified NZQA IQA when relied on for the qualification test.
From 1 June 2026, the English requirement covers skill level 3 as well as levels 4–5 under ANZSCO/NOL. Provide an accepted citizenship/study/qualification basis or qualifying test evidence; prior-proof and specified further-AEWV exemptions have conditions.
Submit identity, skills/registration, applicable police and medical documents and required English translations through the employer's link. Where a police certificate is required, upload the complete certificate rather than only an application receipt, subject to INZ's narrow listed exceptions.
Minimum-skills evidence exceptions include meeting the job's Green List requirements, qualifying occupational registration, pay of at least NZD 67.12/hour, or previously supplied qualifying evidence. NZD 67.12 is not the ordinary wage floor for every AEWV.
The level-3 English transition exempts specified holders applying for a further level-3 AEWV when their existing AEWV expires on or before 1 December 2026. This does not exempt all new level-3 applicants.
NOL recognition is limited to the occupations INZ accepts for AEWV; the AEWV page says other visas, including SMC residence, still use ANZSCO. A work-visa occupation assessment is not automatically residence eligibility.
After the maximum continuous stay, a stand-down outside New Zealand normally applies. Family members must apply separately and satisfy eligibility based on earnings/skill level; a partner work visa is not automatic.
Changes of employer, job or location need the appropriate condition change, Job Change or new visa. Employers/agents cannot charge for the job offer or transfer the employer's recruitment costs to you.
Preparation checklist
Verify employer accreditation, the job check, contract hours and actual occupation classification.
Obtain the signed offer, agreement, job description and employer application link.
Assemble independently supported experience or qualification/IQA evidence and required registration.
Check the level-3–5 English rule and any exact transitional exemption.
Prepare complete police/medical records and translations, then submit and pay through the link.
Record visa conditions, maximum stay and separate family or residence requirements.
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.