Working in New Zealand: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is a temporary visa that lets you work and stay in New Zealand. Because this visa lets you stay up to 5 years, it’s a popular choice for many migrants who want to work in New Zealand.

You can apply for this temporary visa if you have a job offer from an accredited employer, the skills and qualifications required for the job, and, in some cases, you must show that you can speak and understand English.

Key details

Book IELTS for your Accredited Employer Work visa

The AEWV lets you work legally in New Zealand, build local experience, and potentially move towards permanent residence.

With an AEWV, you can:

• Work full-time for an accredited employer (at least 30 hours per week).

• Stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years.

• Study for up to 3 months per year or complete job-related training.

• Gain local work experience for future visa or PR applications.

• Support visa options for your family, depending on your eligibility.

These benefits make the AEWV a practical option if you plan to work and stay in New Zealand long term.

If you need to show evidence that you can speak and understand English, IELTS is the test trusted by Immigration New Zealand. Your IELTS result must be no more than 2 years old at the time you apply.

Which IELTS test is best for me?

The test you choose should be based on what it is you want to do.

• The IELTS Academic is usually for entry into a university.

• IELTS General Training is used for migration purposes as it uses everyday English.

Immigration New Zealand accepts IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, and IELTS One Skill Retake for AEWV applications.

The organisation where you plan to work or study sets the requirements. So, before you book your test, it is good to check which one is right for you.

Book IELTS for your visa

You need a minimum IELTS overall score of 4.0 to apply for an Accredited Employer Work visa. But in some cases, you don’t need to show proof of your English proficiency. 

When IELTS is required

• If your job is classified at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5.

When IELTS is not required

• If your job is at skill level 1 to 3. 

Here is a list of level 4 and 5 occupations. Check if your occupation is in these lists. If yes, you need IELTS for your AEWV application.

Check whether you need IELTS for your occupation

To apply for the AEWV, you must meet requirements related to your job, skills, health, and character.

Job offer requirements

• You must have a full-time job offer from an accredited employer.

• Your employer must complete a job check to confirm the role meets visa rules.

• Your job must be at least 30 hours per week.

• Your salary must meet the market rate for that role in New Zealand.

Your job’s skill level and qualification requirements

• You must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience, or

• A Level 4 qualification or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

• Your experience or qualification must match the job you are offered. But if you have a Bachelor's degree or higher, your qualification and work experience don’t have to be in the same industry as your job offer. 

• You also must provide an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) if your qualification is below a Bachelor's degree and is from outside of New Zealand.

You won’t need to provide additional evidence to prove you meet the minimum skills requirements if you meet these special conditions.

How your job’s skill level is assessed (ANZSCO and NOL)

Your job must meet a required skill level to qualify for the AEWV.

In New Zealand, jobs are classified using systems like ANZSCO and the newer National Occupation List (NOL). These systems group jobs based on skill level, from Level 1 (most skilled) to Level 5 (less skilled).

• Levels 1–3 are higher-skilled roles

• Levels 4–5 are lower-skilled roles

New Zealand is gradually moving from ANZSCO to the National Occupation List (NOL).

• In November 2024, NOL became the official job classification system.

• In July 2025, more skilled roles (Levels 1–3) were added.

These updates expand job opportunities for AEWV applicants, especially in higher-skilled roles.

However, it is important to know that:

• These NOL roles currently apply only to AEWV applications.

• Other visas, such as the Skilled Migrant Category, may still use ANZSCO.

If you are unsure how your job is classified, IDP’s migration experts can help you understand how it affects your visa and future PR options.

Occupational registration (if required)

Some roles require a certified copy of your registration before you can work. Here’s where to check if you need occupational registration for your job.

Health and character requirements

• You must be in good health (medical checks may be required).

• You must be of good character (police certificates may be required).

Applying for the Accredited Employer Work visa involves both your employer and your own application. 

Step 1: Get a job offer from an accredited employer

You must first secure a full-time job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand.

Your employer also needs to complete a job check, which confirms that the role meets visa rules, is paid at the market rate, and cannot be filled by local workers.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

Once your job offer is ready, you need to gather all the required documents. These may include:

• Passport

• Job offer details

• Proof of work experience or qualifications

• English test results (if required)

• Medical and police certificates (if required)

Make sure your documents are clear, complete, and translated into English if needed.

Document checklist for AEWV application.

Step 3: Apply online

You will receive a link from your employer to start your application.

You need to fill in your details, upload your documents, and pay the visa fee. You can save your application and return to it if needed.

Step 4: Wait for a decision

After you submit your application, Immigration New Zealand will review it.

They may contact you if they need more information. Processing times can vary, but most applications are decided within a few weeks.

Step 5: Receive your visa outcome

You will be notified once a decision is made.

If your application is approved, you will receive an eVisa. You can then check your visa conditions and start working in New Zealand.

Yes, the Accredited Employer Work visa can lead to permanent residency, but it is not a residence visa itself.

In most cases, the AEWV is a first step. You use it to work in New Zealand, gain local experience, and meet the requirements for a residence visa. Once you qualify, you apply for a separate residence pathway.

Green List pathway

If your job is on New Zealand’s Green List, you may have a more direct path to residence.

• Tier 1: Straight to Residence: You can apply for residence straight away or shortly after starting your job, if you meet all requirements.

• Tier 2: Work to Residence: You need to work in your role for a set period (usually 24 months) before applying for residence.

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

This Skilled Migrant Category visa is a points-based pathway to residence that many AEWV holders apply for.

Your eligibility is based on factors such as:

• Your salary

• Your qualifications

• Your job in New Zealand

• Your English level

You must meet a points threshold to apply. For this pathway, you may also need to show proof of your English ability, such as an IELTS test, depending on your situation.

Not sure which pathway is right for you?

Moving from AEWV to residence depends on your job, salary, and long-term plan. IDP’s migration experts can help you map the right pathway and guide you on requirements like IELTS, so you can move forward with clarity.

Talk to a migration expert

Your English level is part of the requirements for many New Zealand residence pathways. While it may not always be needed for your AEWV, it is often required when you apply for residence later.

Your English level affects your PR eligibility

If you plan to move from an AEWV to residence, you will need to meet specific English requirements.

For example, the Skilled Migrant Category visa requires applicants to meet a minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5. If you do not meet this, your application cannot proceed.

Your English level affects the jobs you can apply for

Jobs that lead to residence are usually in higher-skilled categories. These roles often require clear communication in the workplace.

Because of this, employers may expect a stronger level of English when hiring for these positions.

For most New Zealand residence pathways, you are generally expected to have an IELTS overall score of at least 6.5.

This is higher than the AEWV requirement (which can be as low as 4.0 for some roles).

However, the exact requirement can vary depending on the visa you apply for and your situation. It is important to check the latest requirements for your chosen pathway before applying.

As you move from a work visa to residence, many pathways, such as the Skilled Migrant Category. require a higher level of English. 

That means your IELTS score can directly affect whether you can apply, and how soon you can apply for residence.

With IELTS, you can prepare with confidence and work towards the score you may need, not just for your AEWV, but for your long-term plans in New Zealand.

Free IELTS preparation materials

We offer a wide range of free preparation materials, including practice tests, video tutorials, vodcasts by IELTS experts, and articles to help you build your skills step by step.

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

Immigration New Zealand also accepts IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR), which allows you to retake just one section of the test if you miss your required score in a single skill.

This can save you time, reduce extra test costs, and help you move forward faster without having to repeat the whole test.

Choice of IELTS Academic or General Training

IELTS Academic and General Training are both accepted for AEWV applications. The General Training test focuses on everyday English used in work and daily life, which can be helpful if you are taking the test mainly for migration or employment.

Full IELTS mock test

The IELTS full mock test helps you understand your current band score and identify which areas you need to improve before booking your test.

If residence is part of your long-term plan, it helps to understand both your English requirement and your wider pathway early.

We can help you book IELTS, explain the score you may need for your visa, and compare study options if your qualification is still part of your next step. 

If you also want advice based on your own visa situation, you can speak with IDP migration experts.

Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the New Zealand Immigration website for changes that may apply to you. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent.