The current work visa options are under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is an employer-supported work visa in three stages.
- The employer needs to be accredited (ALL employers wishing to employ a migrant are required to be accredited), and
- An approval for a Job Check to confirm and ensure no locals (NZ Citizen and or Resident) are available, and
- A suitably qualified migrant
There are three types of AEWV's available;
- Occupations paying twice the median wage - leading to a two year Work to Residence
Accredited Employer Work Visas may be issued for jobs with newly accredited employers, and after confirmation that no locals are available for the role, a Job Check approval will be issued from Immigration NZ. AEWV employees must be paid at least $27.76/hr. Some lower paid jobs ($25/hour) are allowed for up to two years in specific industries and job roles, and then require a one-year stand-down offshore. For residence from AEWV, please assess the options under the SMC Skilled Migrant Category visa. Partners need to qualify for their own work visa, or they may receive work rights of less than 30 hours/week.
- Green List Occupations - leading to a Fast-Track Residence
Applicants can be within NZ or offshore. The Green List is a list of jobs for which AEWV may be issued, with close to immediate application rights for residence. Minimum qualifications or experience are applicable or, in some cases, a minimum income is required. Work visa are issued within 30 days. Employer advertising is not required. Apply for a work visa from July, apply for residence from September. Partners have Open Work rights.
- Green List Occupations - leading to a two year Work-to-Residence
Applicants can be within NZ or offshore. The Green List is a list of jobs for which AEWV may be issued, with application rights for residence. Minimum qualifications or experience are applicable or, in some cases, a minimum income is required. Employer advertising is not required. Apply for residence after two years in the occupation as per your AEWV. Partners have Open Work rights.
