BisDak Team · 11 May 2026

Accredited Employer Work Visa NZ Requirements Explained

Understand the accredited employer work visa NZ requirements step by step — employer accreditation, job check, and worker eligibility explained for Filipino applicants.

For many Filipinos weighing up a job offer in New Zealand — and for those already here trying to understand how employer sponsorship works — the Accredited Employer Work Visa is the visa category that matters most right now. Understanding exactly how it works, and what both the employer and the worker need to do, will save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

What Is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)?

Introduced in May 2022, the AEWV replaced several previous New Zealand work visa categories under one streamlined, employer-led system. It is the main pathway for skilled and semi-skilled workers from overseas — including the Philippines — who have a genuine job offer from an employer approved by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

The visa covers a wide range of sectors actively short of workers in New Zealand:

• Healthcare and aged care
• Construction and infrastructure
• Hospitality and tourism
• Agriculture and horticulture
• Transport and logistics

The entire process runs on a three-step system: employer accreditation, then a job check, then the worker's visa application. Both the employer and the worker have distinct responsibilities at each stage. Before a Filipino worker can lodge a visa application, two things must already be in place — the employer must hold current INZ accreditation, and a passed job check must name the specific worker.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa page at immigration.govt.nz is the authoritative starting point for all current requirements. Note that INZ made changes to the AEWV in 2025, including adjustments to wage thresholds and certain job check rules — always refer to the current INZ page rather than figures shared in community groups or older articles.

Step 1 — Employer Accreditation: What Your NZ Employer Must Do First

The accreditation step sits entirely with the employer, but it directly affects you as the worker. An employer who is not accredited — or whose accreditation has lapsed — cannot legally hire a migrant worker under the AEWV system.

INZ offers two types of accreditation:

• Standard accreditation — for employers hiring up to five migrant workers at a time
• High-volume accreditation — for employers hiring six or more migrant workers at a time

To be accredited, an employer must demonstrate that their business is genuine, that they comply with NZ employment law, and that they are able to support migrant employees — including providing settlement information on arrival in New Zealand.

Accreditation is not a one-time approval. It has a validity period and must be renewed. If your employer's accreditation lapses while you are already on an AEWV, it can affect your visa status. It is worth confirming your employer's current accreditation status before you commit to relocating or resigning from a role back home. Employers can find the starting point for this process on the employer accreditation section of immigration.govt.nz.

Step 2 — The Job Check: How Employers Prove the Role Is Genuine

Once accredited, the employer must apply for a job check for the specific role they want to fill. This is INZ's way of verifying the position is real, that it pays a fair wage, and — in most cases — that the employer made a genuine attempt to hire locally first.

Key things to know about the job check:

• Employers must generally advertise the vacancy for at least two weeks on the job-listing sites INZ accepts before applying for a job check. Some roles are exempt from this requirement.
• The offered wage must meet or exceed the wage threshold set by INZ. The median wage requirement has been subject to change as part of the 2025 AEWV reforms — check the current threshold at immigration.govt.nz rather than relying on figures that may be out of date.
• Roles on the NZ Green List — a register of occupations in high or critical demand — have different, and often more favourable, job check rules. Some Green List roles bypass the advertising requirement entirely.
• A passed job check is tied to a specific worker and a specific role. It cannot be transferred to a different candidate or a different position.

The job check fee is paid by the employer, not the worker. If anyone is asking you to pay this fee yourself, treat that as a serious warning sign.

AEWV Requirements for Workers: What You Need to Have Ready

Once the job check is passed and your name is attached to the approval, you can lodge your visa application. Here is what INZ requires from you as a worker:

• A valid job offer from an INZ-accredited employer and confirmation that a job check has been passed in your name
• Evidence that you meet NZ health and character requirements — a medical certificate from an INZ-approved panel physician, and a police clearance (in the Philippine context, your NBI clearance)
• English language evidence may be required depending on your occupation and ANZSCO skill level — check the specific requirement for your role on the INZ website
• Proof of relevant work experience or qualifications matching the offered position — employment certificates, payslips, educational transcripts, and similar documents
• A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity to cover your intended stay in New Zealand

All applications are lodged online through the INZ Immigration Online portal. Supporting documents must be uploaded at the time of lodgement — INZ does not accept documents submitted separately after lodgement without a specific request from an immigration officer.

Fees, Processing Times, and Practical Tips for Filipino Applicants

Three separate fees apply across the AEWV process:

• Employer accreditation fee — paid by the employer to INZ
• Job check fee — also paid by the employer
• Worker visa application fee — check the current amount at immigration.govt.nz, as fees are reviewed periodically

Processing times vary and shift depending on application volumes and nationality. Check the INZ website directly for current indicative timeframes — figures circulating in Facebook groups can be months out of date.

Practical tips for Filipino applicants:

• Start gathering your documents early. NBI clearance, employment records, educational credentials, and your passport (check the expiry date now) all take time. Medical exam appointments with INZ-approved panel physicians in the Philippines can have waiting periods, especially during peak application seasons.
• If you are paying for immigration advice, use only a licensed immigration adviser (LIA). Verify their credentials on the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) register before handing over any fees. Using an unlicensed consultant — no matter how trusted the referral — puts your application at risk and leaves you with no recourse if something goes wrong.
• The information BisDak publishes is general guidance only — it is not immigration advice tailored to your individual circumstances. For advice specific to your situation, always consult a licensed immigration adviser or a New Zealand immigration lawyer.
• Be cautious of social media posts or community chats offering AEWV placements for an upfront fee. Legitimate employers do not charge workers for visa sponsorship.
• Connect with Filipino employer communities in New Zealand who already hold INZ accreditation and are actively hiring. BisDak is a good place to start those conversations.

After Your AEWV Is Granted: Rights, Conditions, and Pathways Forward

An approved AEWV is a significant milestone, but there are important conditions and rights to understand from your first day of work.

• Your AEWV is generally tied to the specific employer named in your visa. To change employers, your new employer must go through accreditation and a job check, and you will need to apply for a visa variation before starting any new role.
• Your partner and dependent children may be eligible for their own open work visas or visitor visas depending on your wage level and circumstances — this is worth exploring when you lodge your own application.
• If your role sits on the NZ Green List, you may have access to a faster pathway to residence. Tier 1 roles can lead directly to a Resident Visa; Tier 2 roles require a shorter period of work in New Zealand before you can apply.
• Regardless of visa status, you are fully protected under the Employment Relations Act 2000. You are entitled to at least the minimum wage, paid leave, and a safe workplace. Your immigration status does not reduce any of these rights. The Employment New Zealand migrant workers' rights guidance explains these protections clearly in plain language.
• If your employer is mistreating you or exploiting your migrant status, report it to Employment New Zealand / MBIE on 0800 20 90 20 or through the online report form at employment.govt.nz. You can also report directly to Immigration New Zealand. After reporting, you may be eligible for the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work visa (MEPV) — a temporary visa that allows you to leave the exploitative employer while your complaint is investigated. Do not stay in an exploitative situation out of fear of losing your visa.

What Now? Three Steps to Take This Week

Whether you are still in the Philippines considering a job offer or already in New Zealand on an AEWV, here are three concrete things to do right now:

• Read the official INZ guidance for workers. Go directly to the Accredited Employer Work Visa section at immigration.govt.nz and read the requirements relevant to your occupation. Official guidance is always more current than anything in a community group — and it reflects the most recent updates to the programme.
• Start your document checklist today. If you are still in the Philippines, book your INZ medical exam early and check the expiry on your NBI clearance. Document gathering is almost always the longest part of the preparation — starting early gives you options and removes last-minute pressure.
• Join the BisDak community and connect with others who have been through the process. First-hand guidance from Filipinos who have already navigated employer accreditation, job checks, and the visa application process is one of the most practical resources available to you — and it does not cost a thing. Kaya natin ito.

This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publication. Spotted an error? Email hello@bisdak.co.nz.