Planning to Hire Migrant Workers?
If your business wants to hire migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), you will generally need to become an accredited employer first.
AEWV accreditation is also required when supporting migrant workers on other visa pathways, including the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. The accreditation you need will depend on how your business operates, how many migrant workers you plan to employ and whether those workers will be placed with another business.
VisaMaxNZ can help you understand the requirements, prepare your accreditation application and manage the next steps involved in hiring migrant workers.
Which Employer Accreditation May Be Right for You?
There are three main types of AEWV employer accreditation.
Standard
Accreditation
This is generally suitable for businesses that only need a small number of migrant workers.
High-volume Accreditation
The main accreditation requirements are similar to standard accreditation, but this option allows the business to employ a larger migrant workforce.
Triangular Employer Accreditation
This can apply to labour-hire and similar arrangements where another business directs or controls the worker’s day-to-day work.
Additional requirements apply to triangular employers, so it is important to confirm whether this accreditation type reflects how your business operates.
What May Affect Your Accreditation
Immigration New Zealand looks at more than the number of migrant workers you plan to employ.
Your business must meet the relevant accreditation requirements and be genuinely operating. You will also need to provide business information such as your New Zealand Business Number, Business Industry Classification code and Inland Revenue number.
Supporting evidence may be required to confirm that your business meets these requirements.
VisaMaxNZ can help you understand what information is needed and prepare your application clearly and accurately.
Depending on your circumstances, Immigration New Zealand may also consider:
Whether your business is financially viable
Whether key people within the business meet the requirements
Your employment and immigration compliance history
How your business employs and supports migrant workers
Whether your accreditation type matches your business model
Accreditation Is Only One Part of the Hiring Process
Becoming accredited does not automatically mean you can hire a migrant worker for any role.
For most AEWV recruitment, there are three main stages:
Employer accreditation
A job check for the position
The migrant worker’s visa application
Before applying for a job check, you may need to advertise the role, engage with Work and Income or meet other recruitment requirements. This depends on the role and visa involved.
The job check allows Immigration New Zealand to assess the position, including the occupation, location, duties, pay and minimum requirements.
If the job check is approved, the migrant worker can then be invited to apply for the relevant visa.
Getting the Job Check Right
The information in your job check needs to accurately reflect the role you want to fill.
You may need to provide a job description, pay details and evidence of advertising where required. Some roles are exempt from advertising, including eligible Green List roles and jobs that meet the applicable high-pay threshold.
The job title, duties, location, pay and minimum requirements should be consistent throughout your recruitment process.
For some roles, particularly lower-skilled occupations, additional recruitment requirements may also apply.
VisaMaxNZ can help you understand which requirements apply before you submit the job check.
Your Responsibilities Continue After Accreditation
Employer accreditation comes with ongoing responsibilities.
You must continue to meet New Zealand employment and immigration requirements while accredited. You also have responsibilities for supporting AEWV workers after they begin working for your business.
Immigration New Zealand may carry out checks to confirm that your business continues to meet the accreditation requirements.
You may also need to report certain changes to your business or workforce.
Keeping clear employment records, following the commitments made during accreditation and understanding your ongoing obligations can help reduce problems when renewing accreditation or supporting future visa applications.
Renewing or Changing Your Accreditation
Your first AEWV employer accreditation is generally valid for 12 months.
When renewed, standard and high-volume accreditation generally lasts for 24 months. Triangular employer accreditation generally lasts for 12 months.
If your business circumstances change, you may also need a different accreditation type. For example, a business moving from five migrant workers to six or more may need high-volume accreditation.
VisaMaxNZ can help you review your position before your accreditation expires or your hiring plans change
You may need to renew your accreditation if you want to:
Employ new migrant workers
Apply for new job checks
Support an existing worker with another AEWV
Support a worker applying for certain residence visas
How VisaMaxNZ Can Help
Employer accreditation can involve several connected stages, from the initial business application through to recruitment, job checks and worker visa applications.
We look at the wider immigration process so you can understand what needs to happen, when it needs to happen and how each stage affects the next. If your business needs support beyond accreditation, explore our wider immigration services for employers.
VisaMaxNZ is a Māori-owned and operated New Zealand immigration law and advice business, with team members across New Zealand and Manila.
VisaMaxNZ can help with:
Identifying the correct accreditation type
Preparing or renewing your accreditation application
Reviewing business information and supporting evidence
Explaining advertising and recruitment requirements
Preparing job check applications
Supporting AEWV applications
Advising when your business or hiring plans change
Helping you understand your ongoing accreditation obligations
