Employer Accreditation in New Zealand

Employer Accreditation

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand’s primary work visa for migrant workers. Before an employer can hire someone on an AEWV — or support an existing employee through a visa renewal — they must hold accreditation from Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Accreditation is also required to support employees applying for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or Work to Residence visas.

Types of Accreditation

INZ offers three categories of accreditation. Standard accreditation is for employers hiring up to five migrant workers at any one time. High-volume accreditation applies where six or more migrants will be employed simultaneously. Triangular accreditation is for businesses operating in a labour hire or staffing capacity — that is, where the employer employs the migrant but places them to work for a third-party organisation. Triangular accreditation carries additional requirements, including maintaining systems to monitor the employment and safety conditions of placed workers, and ensuring at least 15% of the workers placed with third parties are New Zealand citizens or residents.

If your business grows beyond five migrant workers, you can upgrade from standard to high-volume accreditation at any time. Employers are counted against their allocation when a job check is approved, and that space is only freed up once the migrant’s visa expires, is cancelled, or they move to another employer.

Eligibility

To be approved, a business must be genuinely operating and registered in New Zealand, financially viable, and compliant with New Zealand employment and immigration law. INZ also assesses the compliance history of key persons in the business — directors, owners, and senior management. Any history of employment or immigration law breaches is likely to affect the outcome. Businesses that have been operating for less than 12 months are generally required to provide financial evidence to demonstrate viability.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through INZ’s Immigration Online portal using a RealMe account. You will need your New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), Business Industry Classification (BIC) code, and IRD number, together with the full names, passport numbers, and dates of birth of your key people. A non-refundable application fee applies and varies by accreditation type.

Licensed immigration advisers can be added to an employer’s Immigration Online network and can assist with preparing and submitting the application. If you would like help with your application, we are able to assist.

Duration and Renewal

Initial accreditation is granted for 12 months. Renewal is available for up to 24 months for standard and high-volume accreditation, and 12 months for triangular accreditation. Accreditation must be renewed before it lapses. If it expires and more than 12 months pass without renewal, a fresh application is required.

If accreditation is suspended or revoked, the employer cannot hire new AEWV workers. Existing AEWV holders who are already in New Zealand can continue working for that employer, but any job checks linked to a suspended accreditation cannot support new visa applications until the matter is resolved.

Ongoing Obligations

Accreditation is not a one-off exercise. Once approved, employers must continue to meet a range of obligations throughout the accreditation period.

These include paying all recruitment costs — advertising, agency fees, accreditation and job check fees, and any trade testing — and not passing those costs to the worker. Employers must provide at least 30 hours of paid work per week, pay the market rate for the role, and support migrant workers to settle into New Zealand life. Settlement support covers practical assistance such as help finding accommodation, opening a bank account, and accessing healthcare.

Both the employer’s key staff involved in the hiring process and the migrant worker must complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules within one month of the worker’s start date. Employers must notify INZ within 10 working days if an AEWV holder leaves employment before their visa expires, and must also notify INZ of material changes to the business or its key people within 10 working days.

INZ conducts post-accreditation checks and aims to review around 16% of accredited employers each year. These are routine checks — separate from any investigation into specific concerns — and form part of the standard accreditation process. Employers who do not meet their obligations may have their accreditation suspended or revoked.

Common Questions

I already employ migrant workers on other visas. Do I need accreditation to keep employing them? No. Accreditation is only required when hiring new workers on an AEWV, or when supporting existing workers through an AEWV renewal. Migrants on other visa types are not affected.

Can I use a recruitment agency? Yes. You can use an agency to advertise and find candidates, but you cannot pass any recruitment costs — including agency fees — on to the migrant worker.

What happens if my accreditation application is declined? INZ will advise the reasons for the decline. In some cases, it is possible to address those reasons and reapply. Depending on the nature of the decline, a reconsideration request may also be available.

Do I need separate accreditation for each branch or location of my business? Generally, one accreditation covers the whole business entity. However, if the employing entity differs across locations — for example, separate companies within a group — each entity will need its own accreditation.