What Is an Accredited Employer in New Zealand?

What Does "Accredited Employer" Mean?

In New Zealand's immigration framework, an accredited employer is a business that has been approved by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to hire migrants on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Accreditation is a formal status granted after INZ assesses whether the employer meets specific standards around business legitimacy, employment practices, and migrant welfare.

Since mid-2022, the AEWV replaced most previous temporary work visas and made employer accreditation a mandatory step in the work-to-residence pathway. Without accreditation, a business cannot sponsor most temporary migrant workers.

Why Does Accreditation Matter for Your PR Points?

Under the Skilled Migrant Category, working for an accredited employer earns you a 5-point bonus on top of the standard skilled employment points. While 5 points may seem modest, in a competitive selection round where candidates are clustered around the threshold, these points can be decisive.

More importantly, accreditation is a prerequisite for the AEWV itself, which is the primary work visa used by most skilled migrants in NZ today. Without an AEWV, you cannot accumulate the two-year work history needed to strengthen your SMC application.

Types of Employer Accreditation

There are two tiers of accreditation:

How to Verify Your Employer's Accreditation

INZ maintains a publicly searchable register of accredited employers. To check your current or prospective employer's status:

1. Visit the INZ Accredited Employer search page.
2. Enter the employer's name or NZBN (New Zealand Business Number).
3. Confirm the accreditation is current — note the expiry date.
4. Check whether the employer holds Standard or High-Volume status.

Accreditation must be current at the time you apply for your AEWV. If your employer's accreditation has lapsed, your visa application may be declined.

The AEWV Three-Step Process

Getting a job with an accredited employer is just the first of three steps before a work visa is granted:

1. Step 1 — Employer accreditation: The employer applies to INZ and receives approval. This is the employer's responsibility, not yours.
2. Step 2 — Job Check: For most roles, the employer must submit a "Job Check" to confirm the role is genuinely needed, the pay meets or exceeds the median wage, and efforts were made to recruit locally first (if required).
3. Step 3 — Migrant Check (your visa application): Once you have a job offer and a passed Job Check, you can apply for your AEWV. INZ will assess your identity, health, character, and whether you meet the role's skill requirements.

Employer Obligations to Migrant Workers

Accredited employers take on legal obligations toward their migrant employees. INZ can audit employers and revoke accreditation for non-compliance. Key obligations include:

• Paying at least the agreed wage (and no less than the median wage for most roles)
• Not deducting recruitment or training costs from wages
• Providing safe working conditions in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act
• Assisting with settlement support for newly arrived migrants
• Notifying INZ if the employee's role changes materially

If you believe your employer is not meeting these obligations, you can report concerns to INZ or the Labour Inspectorate via employment.govt.nz.

Accreditation & the Path to Residence

For most skilled migrants, the journey to PR under the SMC looks like this:

Frequently Asked Questions