Accredited Employer Work Visa Requirements: What Workers and Employers Must Prove

Gathering the wrong documents is the most common reason an AEWV application stalls before submission. Many applicants assume the process is similar to a standard work visa — submit your passport, a job offer letter, and a CV — and discover only after the Job Token expires that INZ requires a different standard of proof entirely.

The requirements for the AEWV fall across three distinct stages, and each stage has its own set of documents. This is not a checklist you can complete in a weekend. Medical examinations take time to schedule. Police certificates from overseas countries can take weeks. Qualification assessments, when required, typically take 10 to 20 working days. Planning ahead is not optional.

What Employers Must Prove (Steps 1 and 2)

Before the migrant even begins their application, the employer must have cleared two gates.

Accreditation requirements (Step 1)

The employer must demonstrate to INZ that their business is:

• Genuinely operating, typically for at least 12 consecutive months
• Financially viable — either no operating loss over the past two financial years, positive cash flow for the last six months, or sufficient capital backing
• Compliant with New Zealand employment and health and safety law
• Free from key personnel with a history of underpaying staff or violating workplace safety

Supporting documents for accreditation typically include GST or PAYE records, audited financial statements, information about directors and HR managers, and evidence of existing business operations (contracts, invoices, lease agreements).

Once accredited, the employer is responsible for notifying INZ within 10 working days if any AEWV holder on their books leaves employment — regardless of the reason. This is an ongoing compliance obligation, not a one-time requirement.

Job Check requirements (Step 2)

For the specific role, the employer must show:

• The proposed pay meets the market rate for that occupation and region (verified against platforms like Seek and TradeMe Jobs)
• The position was advertised nationally for the required duration (14 days for Skill Levels 1–3, 21 days for Levels 4–5) with the salary range and work location clearly stated
• Any New Zealand applicants were either found genuinely unsuitable (with documented reasons) or none applied
• Engagement with the Ministry of Social Development (Work and Income) for Level 4 and 5 roles

Exemptions from labour market testing apply to roles paying at least twice the current median wage (NZD $70.00/hour as of March 2026) and to Green List occupations.

What Workers Must Prove (Step 3)

Skills and qualifications

You must show that you are suitably qualified for the role described in the Job Check. INZ accepts either:

• A qualification at NZQCF Level 4 or higher (roughly equivalent to a trades certificate or higher), or
• At least two years of relevant full-time work experience (reduced from three years in the March 2025 reforms)

For workers with a Bachelor's degree or higher, the qualification does not necessarily need to be in the same field as the job offer — a science degree applying for an IT management role, for example, may still qualify. For workers relying on work experience, the experience must be directly relevant to the role.

A CV is not sufficient evidence of work experience. INZ requires independent third-party verification: employment certificates, pay slips, tax records, or official letters on company letterhead. The document must confirm your position title, start and end dates, and that the work was full-time.

Health requirements

All applicants must meet standard health requirements. The medical examination typically includes a chest X-ray (for tuberculosis screening) and a general physical assessment. Your doctor must be an approved panel physician for Immigration New Zealand — you cannot submit results from your regular GP.

Health checks must be completed no more than three months before your visa application is submitted (check the current INZ guidance for exact validity windows). If a health issue is identified, INZ will assess whether it creates a significant cost or demand on New Zealand health services. Most applicants with stable, managed conditions are not refused on health grounds.

Character requirements

You must provide police certificates from every country where you have lived for more than five years since the age of 17, if your intended stay in New Zealand will exceed 24 months.

One change that catches applicants off guard: a receipt confirming that a police certificate has been requested is no longer sufficient. The actual certificate must be uploaded at the time of application. Starting the police certificate request process early — ideally the same week your Job Token is confirmed — is essential given that processing times vary widely by country.

English language requirements

English language evidence is required for roles classified at NOL Levels 4 and 5. Workers in Level 1–3 roles are generally exempt, though INZ may request evidence if the application raises concerns.

Accepted tests and minimum scores:

• IELTS (General or Academic): 4.0 overall
• PTE Academic: 29
• TOEFL iBT: 31
• Cambridge B2 First: 142
• OET: Grade D in all sub-tests

Citizens and nationals of certain countries are exempt from English testing. The current exemption list includes the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and Ireland, among others. Check the current INZ guidance to confirm your citizenship qualifies.

Bona fide intention

All applicants must satisfy the "bona fide" requirement — demonstrating a genuine intention to work in the approved role and to comply with visa conditions. In practice, this means your documented skills must match the role in the Job Check, and the circumstances of the recruitment must not appear unusual or rushed.

INZ officers can conduct interviews to verify the relationship between the worker and the employer if something looks irregular. This is more common in sectors with a history of exploitation, such as hospitality and parts of the care sector.

Documents Typically Required at Application

While your specific list will depend on your country of origin, intended role, and personal circumstances, most AEWV applications require:

• Valid passport (typically at least six months validity beyond your intended stay)
• Job Token from the approved Job Check
• Evidence of qualifications (certified translations required for non-English documents)
• Work experience evidence (employment letters, pay slips, or tax records)
• Medical examination results from an INZ-approved physician
• Police certificates from all required countries
• English language test results (for Level 4 and 5 roles)
• Evidence of settlement funds or financial support

If your qualifications were obtained outside New Zealand and your role requires a formal assessment, you will also need results from an approved qualification assessment body (see the post on NZQA and international qualification assessment for details).

What Happens If Something Is Missing

INZ will typically send a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letter if they identify an issue with your application before making a decision. This gives you an opportunity to provide additional information or address a concern. Common PPI triggers include:

• Work experience that appears to be in a different field than the approved role
• Pay slips that show inconsistent employment dates
• A qualification that is not clearly relevant to the role
• A health condition that requires further assessment

Responding to a PPI letter requires care. The response must directly address the specific concern raised, with supporting documentation. A generic response without evidence will not help your case. If you receive a PPI letter, reviewing the New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa Guide for guidance on structuring a compliant response is worthwhile before submitting.

The Timeline You Need to Plan For

A realistic timeline from Job Token to visa grant for a well-prepared application:

• Medical examination: 2 to 4 weeks depending on clinic availability
• Police certificates (New Zealand): 5 to 10 working days
• Police certificates (overseas): 2 to 8 weeks depending on country
• Qualification assessment (if required): 10 to 20 working days
• English language test (if required): scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks, results within 2 to 5 weeks after testing
• AEWV processing time (50% of applications): within 2 weeks of submission; 80% within 4 to 6 weeks

Remember that the Job Token is valid for 90 days. If you begin gathering documents the moment the token is issued and encounter no delays, you will have adequate time. If you wait two weeks before starting, you risk running out of runway — particularly if police certificates from a slow-processing country are required.

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