Immigration Support for Employers
Hiring from overseas? Before you can sponsor a migrant worker on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), your business needs to be accredited with Immigration New Zealand. We handle the accreditation, job checks, and visa applications so you can focus on onboarding your new hire.
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Key Facts
- Employer accreditation is mandatory before you can hire any migrant on an AEWV
- Three accreditation tiers: Standard ($775, up to 5 migrants), High-volume ($1,280, 6+ migrants), and Triangular ($4,060, for labour hire companies)
- Each role needs a separate Job Check ($735) — this includes a labour market test to show no suitable New Zealanders are available
- Accreditation lasts 12–24 months and must be renewed before it expires
- INZ can audit accredited employers at any time to check compliance
How It Works
- Apply for accreditation — We prepare your application with the required employment and business documents
- File a Job Check for each role — Demonstrates you've tested the local labour market and the role meets wage and conditions requirements
- Worker applies for AEWV — Once accreditation and Job Check are approved, your migrant worker submits their visa application
- Maintain compliance — Meet ongoing obligations around pay, conditions, and record-keeping
What's at Stake
Losing accreditation means you can't sponsor any new migrant workers — and it can affect the visa status of staff you've already hired. Non-compliance findings go on your record and make future applications harder.
Watch Out For
- Accreditation isn't set-and-forget. INZ audits are real, and conditions around the median wage ($33.56/hr, rising to $35/hr in March 2026) and employment law compliance are ongoing obligations.
- Roles above 1.5× median wage ($50.34/hr) are exempt from the labour market test — but still need a Job Check.
- Renewal timing matters. If your accreditation lapses, you'll need to start the process again and any pending applications can be affected.
What We Help With
- Employer accreditation applications and renewals
- Job Check preparation and submission
- AEWV applications for your migrant workers
- Ongoing compliance advice and audit preparation
- Dealing with Immigration New Zealand on your behalf
This information is general in nature. Immigration policy changes regularly. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.
Ready to Start Your New Zealand Journey?
Free consultation. No obligation. We'll tell you where you stand.