What are the application process and requirements for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)? How does it connect to a Resident Visa?

Hello, friend! Since you asked about AEWV, which is currently the most common visa for coming to New Zealand to work, let me break it down for you in a way that's easy to understand.

What exactly is the "Accredited Employer Work Visa" (AEWV)? And how do you apply for it?

You can think of the AEWV application process as a "three-step" or "three-tier review" process. The main players in these three steps are different: the first two steps are handled by the company that plans to employ you (the employer), and only the final step involves you (the applicant).

Step 1: Employer Accreditation

• What is it? Simply put, Immigration New Zealand first needs to verify if the company is "reliable." They have to prove that they are financially sound, comply with labor laws, and haven't engaged in any misconduct (such as exploiting employees).
• Who does it? This is the company's responsibility.
• What does it mean for you? When you're looking for a job, the first thing you need to confirm is whether this company has already obtained "accredited employer" status from Immigration New Zealand. If they haven't, even if you get an offer, you won't be able to get a visa. You can directly ask their HR, or you can also check the list of approved employers on the Immigration New Zealand website.

In plain language: It's like you want to work at a restaurant, but you first need to make sure the restaurant has a legitimate "business license." This "employer accreditation" is the "license to hire overseas employees" issued by Immigration New Zealand to the company.

Step 2: Job Check

• What is it? After the company gets "accreditation," the specific "position" they plan to offer you also needs to be reviewed and approved by Immigration New Zealand.
• Who does it? Still the company's responsibility.
• What does Immigration New Zealand look for?
  1. Authenticity: Is this position genuinely needed?
  2. Salary: Does the salary meet the standard? (In most cases, it needs to be at or above the New Zealand median hourly wage, which changes annually).
  3. Labor Market Test: Has the company genuinely tried to recruit locally in New Zealand first? (For example, have they advertised the position and demonstrated they couldn't find a suitable local person for the role?). Of course, if the position is on the "Green List," this step is usually waived.
• What does it mean for you? Only when the Job Check is approved can the company issue you a "Job Token" (a code) that you can use to apply for a visa, allowing you to proceed to the third step.

In plain language: The restaurant has its business license, and now wants to hire a "ramen chef." They need to prove to the authorities: "Our restaurant genuinely needs a ramen chef, and we're offering a fair wage. We've also advertised in local newspapers but couldn't find a suitable local person." After the department approves it, the restaurant can use that approval to find you, an overseas candidate.

Step 3: Migrant Check

• What is it? All right, now it's finally your turn! This is the only step in the entire process that requires you personally to complete as the applicant.
• Who does it? You (the visa applicant).
• What does Immigration New Zealand look for?
  1. Identity: Is your passport valid?
  2. Health: You need to provide a medical certificate demonstrating that you don't have any health conditions that would pose a risk to New Zealand's public health or incur high medical costs.
  3. Character: You need to provide a police certificate to prove you have a good character.
  4. Skills: Do your qualifications, skills, and work experience genuinely match the job that has passed the Job Check? You need to provide your CV, academic certificates, employment reference letters, and other relevant documents.

In plain language: The restaurant, with its "approval to hire a ramen chef," finds you. Now, you need to prove to the authorities: "I am the ramen chef you're looking for! See, here's my chef's certificate, my health certificate, my police clearance, and my reference letters from other ramen shops where I've worked!"

To summarize the application process: The company is accredited → The job is approved → You, the individual, are eligible.

How does the AEWV connect to a "Resident Visa" (commonly known as PR/Green Card)?

This point is crucial! You must understand that the AEWV itself is only a temporary work visa; it does not automatically turn into a resident visa. It's more like an "entry ticket," allowing you to work legally in New Zealand and then use that work to "unlock" eligibility for a resident visa.

The AEWV primarily connects to resident visas through the following two main pathways:

1. Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

This is the most traditional "points-based" immigration pathway. You need to accumulate 6 points in a scoring system to submit an application. How are the points calculated?

• New Zealand Occupational Registration (3-6 points)
• Qualifications (3-6 points)
• Income (3-6 points, higher income earns more points)
• New Zealand Work Experience (1-3 points)

As you can see, the role of the AEWV is that it provides you with the opportunity to work in New Zealand. With an AEWV, you work in New Zealand and can gain "New Zealand work experience points" and "income points." If your work income is high enough (e.g., 1.5 times the median hourly wage), you might get a lot of points just from income alone, significantly increasing your chances of accumulating 6 points.

Simply put: AEWV allows you to start working → Work helps you earn points → Enough points allow you to apply for an SMC resident visa.

2. Green List Pathways

To attract high-demand talent globally, the New Zealand government has compiled a "Green List" of occupations that are in critical shortage in New Zealand (such as certain engineers, IT professionals, healthcare workers, etc.). This list is divided into two tiers, offering two more direct routes to PR:

• Tier 1: Straight to Residence
  • If your occupation is on the Tier 1 list, and you meet the specific requirements for that occupation (such as specific qualifications, salary, or professional registration), then you do not need to wait; you can directly submit a resident visa application! Of course, you still need to first obtain an AEWV work visa to come to New Zealand and start working, and then you can immediately begin your application.
• Tier 2: Work to Residence
  • If your occupation is on the Tier 2 list, you need to hold an AEWV and work for an accredited employer in that role for 24 months (2 years), and meet the specific requirements for that occupation, before you can submit a resident visa application. This is a very stable and clear pathway.

Simply put: AEWV allows you to work in a Green List occupation → If it's Tier 1, you can apply for PR almost immediately; if it's Tier 2, you can apply for PR after working diligently for two years.

Final Summary

• The AEWV application is a three-step process: "Company first, then job, then you."
• The AEWV itself is not a Green Card; it's merely your "pass" to work in New Zealand.
• Getting this pass is the first step. After that, you'll need to use this job to follow either the "Skilled Migrant points system" or the "Green List" pathways to eventually convert your work visa into a resident visa.

I hope this explanation is clear enough! Good luck!