Pathway · AEWV
Accredited Employer Work Visa
Work visa tied to an INZ-accredited employer who has a Job Check.
- Professional fees
- $1.5k–$3.5k
- NZD, GST incl., 2026 typical band
- INZ application fee
- $870
- Includes Immigration Risk Levy. Separate from adviser fees.
- Processing time
- 4–12 weeks
- After file is filed; INZ official median, not the marketing number
What this pathway actually is
The most common work-visa pathway since 2022. Three steps: the employer is INZ-accredited, INZ approves a Job Check for the specific role, then you apply for the migrant visa. The adviser's job is mostly on step three for the migrant — but a good adviser will also pressure-test the employer's accreditation and Job Check before you accept the offer, because you inherit any weakness in those.
Good fit for
- Skilled trades, healthcare, hospitality, IT, dairy, construction roles
- You have a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer
- The role meets the median-wage threshold (roughly NZ$32.10/hr in 2026) or qualifies for an exemption
- You can satisfy English-language and qualification requirements
Not the right pathway if
- Roles below median wage with no skill-shortage exemption
- Employers who haven't yet completed accreditation (much longer pathway)
- Self-employed or contractor work — needs a different category
Field notes
If the employer is well-known to your adviser, AEWV is one of the more predictable pathways. The risk lives in the employer's compliance, not the migrant's.
Where applications go wrong
- Employer accreditation lapses mid-application
- Job Check expires before migrant visa is filed
- Wage threshold changes between offer and decision
IAA-licensed advisers who handle AEWV
10 advisers list AEWV as a primary specialism on the directory.
Auckland
Tahi Immigration Advisers
Mereana Whitiora
Senior AEWV-and-residence specialist with a healthcare-heavy case-load.
IAA #201800221 · Mid-band · from $2.5k NZD
Auckland
Albany Immigration House
Anushka Patel
Indian-subcontinent diaspora practice — South Auckland and the Shore.
IAA #201700134 · Mid-band · from $1.9k NZD
Auckland
Viaduct Migration Law
Hugo van der Berg
Boutique immigration-law practice for complex appeals and Section 61.
IAA #200900045 · Premium / complex · from $5.5k NZD
Wellington
Thorndon Visa Advisory
Tama Reweti
Ex-INZ caseworker, now licensed — strong policy-side knowledge.
IAA #201600199 · Mid-band · from $2.8k NZD
Christchurch
Canterbury Employer AEWV
Peter Salesi
Volume AEWV practice for rural and regional employer-accreditations.
IAA #201900233 · Volume / lower-fee · from $1.5k NZD
Christchurch
Papanui Migration
Hyun-Jung Park
Korean-language practice; student-visa pipeline through PhD.
IAA #201700301 · Mid-band · from $1.4k NZD
Hamilton
Waikato Visa Advisers
Manjeet Singh
Dairy, transport and meat-processing AEWV — Waikato regional specialist.
IAA #201500176 · Volume / lower-fee · from $1.6k NZD
Tauranga
Kiwi Coast Immigration
Aroha Tipene
Horticulture AEWV and trades migration into Bay of Plenty employers.
IAA #201800117 · Mid-band · from $1.8k NZD
Queenstown
Alpine Visa
Marie Dubois
Tourism-hospitality AEWV with a seasonal cycle to plan around.
IAA #201900088 · Mid-band · from $1.9k NZD
Manila (offshore)
Manila IAA Services
Joselito Reyes
Offshore-licensed NZ adviser — Filipino aged care, dairy and construction migrants.
IAA #201600220 · Volume / lower-fee · from $1.4k NZD