Becoming an accredited employer is an important step if your business wants to hire migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
But accreditation does not mean the worker can start straight away.
There are still other parts of the process that need to line up, including the role itself, the job check and the worker’s visa application.
If you are new to the AEWV process, the terminology can also be confusing. Employer accreditation, job checks and AEWVs are often talked about together, but they refer to different parts of the process.
Here is what each term means and what typically happens next.
What Do These Terms Actually Mean?
There are three key terms employers are likely to come across when hiring a migrant worker through the AEWV system.
Employer Accreditation
Employer Accreditation is Immigration New Zealand’s approval for a business to hire migrant workers through the Accredited Employer Work Visa system.
It applies to the employer, not the worker.
There are different types of accreditation depending on how your business operates and how many migrant workers you plan to employ.
If you want to understand the accreditation types and requirements in more detail, our Employer Accreditation page explains how the process works.
Job Check
A job check is Immigration New Zealand’s assessment of the role you want the migrant worker to fill.
It focuses on the job rather than the individual worker. The duties, pay, hours, location and minimum requirements need to accurately reflect the position.
Depending on the role, advertising or other recruitment requirements may also apply.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is the visa the migrant worker applies for.
It allows an eligible worker to work in New Zealand for an accredited employer in an approved role, subject to the conditions of their visa.
This is the worker’s part of the process, after the employer and the role have met the relevant requirements.
How Do the Three Parts Fit Together?
A simple way to think about the process is:
Your business needs the appropriate employer accreditation.
The role generally needs an approved job check.
The migrant worker can then apply for their AEWV.
Each stage is separate, but they are closely connected. The information about the role needs to remain accurate and consistent throughout the recruitment, job check and visa process.
What Should You Do Next?
Start by getting clear on the role you actually need to fill.
What will the worker do day to day? Where will they be based? What hours will they work? What skills or experience does the role require, and what will you pay?
You should also be clear on whether you are still recruiting or whether you already have someone in mind.
These details matter because they can affect the recruitment steps you need to complete, the job check and whether the role is likely to fit the AEWV process.
If you have already found the right person, it is still important to check the immigration requirements before confirming start dates or making commitments.
Finding the right worker is only one part of getting them into the role.
What Happens Once the Job Check Is Approved?
Once the employer and job requirements are met, the worker moves on to their visa application.
The employment details used in the worker’s application should match the information already provided through the recruitment and job check process.
You can read more about New Zealand work visa options on our Work Visas page.
Think Beyond the First Visa
For some businesses, an AEWV is about filling an immediate recruitment need.
For others, the worker may become someone you want to retain longer term.
That can lead to questions about extending their ability to work in New Zealand, supporting another visa application or whether they may eventually qualify for residence.
Some workers may have options such as the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, depending on their role, skills and individual circumstances.
Thinking about the longer-term picture early can help both the employer and worker understand what options may be available later.
Not Sure What Happens Next?
You do not need to understand every immigration term before asking for help.
VisaMaxNZ can look at your business, the role and the worker involved and explain what needs to happen next.
That may include employer accreditation, job checks, work visas or longer-term immigration planning.
Learn more about Immigration Support for Employers.
