07/04/2022
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) - What does this mean for you?
More information about the new Accredited Employer work visa (AEWV) has now been released. This is what it will mean for you as a work visa holder or as an employer.
It is a 3-step process:
1. From 23 May 2022 - Employer check - accreditation.
Hire up to 5 migrants: INZ fee $740 6 or more migrants: INZ fee $1220
2. From 20 June 2022 - Job check - advertising.
Submit to INZ for approval: INZ fee $610
3. From 4 July 2022 - only after Step 1 & 2 are complete:
Migrant work visa application: INZ fee $595
Employers must pay all the costs and fees for recruitment. Migrants may need to pay the visa application fees.
From 4 July 2022, people inside and outside New Zealand can apply for the new AEWV and are allowed to travel if approved the visa.
Minimum eligible wage to rise – $27.76 per hour from 4 July 2022
To be eligible for an AEWV, you must be paid at least the NZ median wage of $27.76 per hour. The Government is still deciding if there will be any exceptions to this rule.
Employer advertising
The advertising must include the pay rate, location and hours of work. Jobs paying 200% of the median wage ($55.52 per hour) do not need to be advertised and offer a path to residence after 2 years.
Fees
The total Immigration NZ fee for a migrant is $595, made up of a $540 application fee and a $55 immigration levy.
Q&A
What happens if my visa is expiring and my employer is not accredited yet?
If your visa is due to expire, and your employer is not finished their accreditation, you will be able to apply for a bridging visa with visitor conditions (not able to work) in the meantime.
What if my hourly rate is under $27.76?
You cannot apply for an AEWV. You can continue to work under the conditions of your current visa until it expires or you no longer meet the conditions of the visa.
If you want to remain in New Zealand after your visa expires by applying for an AEWV, you will need to find a job paying at or above the median wage.
Can I still apply for an Essential Skills work visa?
Yes, if you are in New Zealand and want to secure an essential skills work visa you can still apply for one until 3 July 2022. You do not need to be paid the median wage. If you want to apply under the current rules, contact us to assist you with this before the changes are introduced.
What if I am an employer of Migrant workers?
You only need to apply for accreditation if you want to assist an existing migrant employee applying for a new work visa under the AEWV scheme after 4 July 2022 or you want to employ new migrant workers after that date. Some migrant workers do not need to hold this type of visa. Contact us to find out more.
As an employer, when should I get in contact with you to start the accredited employer process?
There are a lot of variations of requirements for each of the 3 steps and employers will need a tailored approach to suit their business model. We suggest making time now to find out what you may need to prepare.
We offer a no obligation 30-minute consultation to advise on the steps required for your business.
As an employee, when should I get in contact with you about my next work visa?
You may have other visa options available that will need to be quickly assessed and actioned before the changes come in July.
Our immigration experience can help you understand what employers need to do, what employees need to do, and how we can help reduce the workload by managing the process for you.
Call 06 345 0845 or email [email protected] to make your
no-obligation consultation. We do not charge a separate fee for this first appointment.
You can find us at 9 Watt Street in the centre of Whanganui, opposite the War Memorial Hall.
