Those looking for a job and start working with a company in New Zealand have to adhere to the rules of an Accredited Employer Employment Visa. Significant modifications have been made to the Accredited Employer Work Visa requirements by the government of New Zealand. These changes will have an impact on both existing and new AEWV holders.

The primary temporary employment visa in New Zealand is the Accredited Employer Employment Visa (AEWV). With a recognized Employer Work Visa, you can work for a recognized company in New Zealand for a minimum of 30 hours per week, study for up to three months within a 12-month period, or complete any coursework necessary for your job.

Furthermore, there are changes that also affect employers. The requirements employers must meet to hire migrants on the AEWV have changed. Now, there are more requirements at the accreditation and job check stages and during the accreditation period.

Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill levels are being introduced into the assessment of AEWV applications.

From April 7, 2024, new AEWVs are being issued with a condition requiring employers to employ migrants for at least 30 hours per week. If employers do not provide at least 30 hours a week’s employment, their accreditation may be revoked.

There are also higher work experience and qualification requirements for AEWV applicants, a standard of English for people applying to work in roles assessed as ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5, and a shorter stay in New Zealand for those working in specific roles.

Further, more focus will have to be given to the skill level of the job seekers. Employers have to take reasonable steps to ensure migrants are suitably skilled before sending them a job token. A job token is a unique number that represents one of the jobs an accredited employer is approved to hire migrants for.

Employers will need to check that the migrant has the skills they have identified as necessary for the job, as well as the new minimum skill requirement being introduced as part of these changes.

Employers wanting to fill jobs at ANZSCO level 4 and 5 now need to advertise for 21 days, rather than 14 and declare in the Job Check why any New Zealanders who applied were not hired.