How to Verify an Accredited Employer in New Zealand (Avoid Scams)

If you are job-hunting from overseas (or already in New Zealand) and someone tells you they can “sponsor” you, the first thing to verify is whether the employer is approved to hire migrants under the relevant immigration pathway. In New Zealand, that usually means checking whether the employer is on Immigration New Zealand’s Accredited Employer list for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). (Immigration New Zealand)

This guide walks you through a practical, scam-resistant verification process, including what accreditation does (and does not) prove, how to cross-check business legitimacy, and the common red flags that catch people out.

1) What “accredited employer” actually means (and what it does not)

What it means

For the AEWV system, an accredited employer is an employer that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has approved to hire migrants under the AEWV pathway (and, in some cases, other work visa arrangements). INZ publishes a searchable Accredited Employer list specifically for this purpose. (Immigration New Zealand)

In practical terms:

• Accreditation is an INZ approval status for employers.
• If an employer is accredited, it can (subject to other steps) support hiring a migrant on an AEWV role.

What it does NOT mean

Accreditation is not a guarantee that:

• you personally will get a visa,
• every role the employer offers is approved,
• the job offer is automatically genuine,
• the recruiter contacting you is authorized,
• the terms offered to you meet all legal requirements.

Under AEWV, employers typically also need to complete additional steps such as a Job Check (and you will still need to apply for the visa). (Immigration New Zealand)

2) Step-by-step: verify accreditation using Immigration New Zealand’s official list

Step 1: Use the official “Accredited employer list” page

Go directly to INZ’s Accredited employer list page and search for the employer name. This is the primary and most important verification step. (Immigration New Zealand)

Best practice

• Search using exact spelling from the employer’s website, job ad, or NZ Companies Register entry (more on that below).
• Try shorter keywords if the full name does not show up.
• Watch out for similar names (scammers often use near-identical names to real companies).

Step 2: Confirm you are checking the correct type of “approved employer” list

New Zealand has multiple “approved employer” lists depending on the visa category. INZ maintains a hub page that links to:

• Accredited employer list (AEWV),
• Recognised Seasonal Employer list (RSE),
• Supplementary seasonal employer list, etc. (Immigration New Zealand)

If your role is seasonal horticulture/viticulture, for example, you may need the RSE list rather than the AEWV list. (Immigration New Zealand)

Step 3: Treat third-party “lists” as untrusted until proven

Only the INZ pages are authoritative for immigration accreditation. Social media posts and “agents’ lists” can be outdated or fabricated.

3) Confirm the employer is a real, active New Zealand business (Companies Office checks)

Even if an employer appears on the INZ accredited list, you should still verify the business is legitimate and that the contact approaching you is truly connected to it.

Step 1: Search the NZ Companies Register

Use the New Zealand Companies Register (Companies Office) to confirm:

• the company exists,
• its current status (e.g., registered/active),
• registered office and address for service,
• director information and filings (as available). (Companies Register)

This helps you detect scams where someone claims to represent a company that:

• is dissolved,
• has a different legal name than the brand name used in the offer,
• has addresses that don’t match what you were given.

Step 2: Match key identifiers

Compare:

• Company name on the register vs. name on the job offer
• Website domain and email domain vs. the company identity
• Physical address and phone numbers vs. register information

If the offer uses a different entity name, ask for clarification and supporting documents (for example, whether the brand is a trading name of the registered company).

4) Verify the job offer is consistent with AEWV process (and not a shortcut scam)

A common scam pattern is promising “sponsorship” without the normal process steps.

What a legitimate AEWV pathway generally involves

While details vary by role and circumstances, AEWV hiring typically includes:

• Employer accreditation (employer-side),
• Job Check (role approval, where required),
• A genuine job offer and employment agreement,
• Your AEWV application. (Immigration New Zealand)

Red flag language to watch for

Be cautious if anyone says:

• “No documentation needed.”
• “Guaranteed approval.”
• “Pay us first and we will put you on a visa.”
• “We can do everything without an employment agreement.”

Legitimate pathways involve real documents, verifiable employers, and your direct visa application with INZ.

5) Confirm the recruiter or “agent” is legitimately connected to the employer

Many scams use real company names but fake intermediaries.

Practical checks

• Email domain check: A genuine employer usually communicates via a company domain email (not a free Gmail/Yahoo address), especially for formal offers. (Not absolute, but a strong signal.)
• Company website cross-check: Find the employer’s official website and confirm that the job is listed there or that the HR contact details match.
• Call-back verification: Use the phone number from the company’s official site (not the number provided by the recruiter) and ask HR to confirm the recruiter/job offer is genuine.
• Written trail: Ask for a formal offer and employment agreement consistent with New Zealand employment law expectations (see next section). (Immigration New Zealand)

6) Check if the employment terms meet New Zealand minimum standards

Scam offers often include illegal or exploitative conditions (even when the employer is real).

Core minimum expectations to know

Immigration New Zealand emphasizes that employment law applies equally to migrants and New Zealand citizens/residents, and minimums include things like:

• a written employment agreement,
• minimum pay rules,
• breaks and leave entitlements,
• a safe workplace,
• accurate pay and holiday records. (Immigration New Zealand)

Also, New Zealand guidance on payslips explains what pay information should look like and what employees can request to understand calculations (useful for spotting wage manipulation). (employment.govt.nz)

Typical scam patterns in job terms

• You pay for the job (placement fees disguised as “processing” or “approval fees”).
• You must pay back the employer from your salary.
• Confiscation of passport or threats about reporting you (unlawful and abusive).
• No written agreement or refusal to provide one.

If anything feels coercive or inconsistent with minimum rights, treat it as high risk.

7) Report concerns early: migrant exploitation and suspicious offers

New Zealand has an official channel for reporting migrant exploitation and seeking help if someone is being mistreated at work or targeted. (employment.govt.nz)

You do not need to “wait until it gets worse” before seeking guidance—early reporting is often safer, especially before you send money or personal documents.

8) Avoid confusion: “Accredited employer” can mean different things in other NZ contexts

One easy mistake is confusing INZ accreditation (immigration hiring approval) with other “accredited employer” programs.

For example, ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) has an Accredited Employers Programme (AEP) that relates to how some businesses manage workplace injury claims—this is not the same as immigration accreditation for AEWV. (acc.co.nz)

When verifying visa sponsorship claims, always prioritize Immigration New Zealand accreditation lists. (Immigration New Zealand)

9) A practical verification checklist (use this before you send any money or documents)

Accreditation and immigration pathway checks

• Confirm the employer appears on INZ’s Accredited employer list (AEWV). (Immigration New Zealand)
• Confirm you are using the correct INZ “approved employers” list for the visa type (AEWV vs seasonal lists). (Immigration New Zealand)
• Confirm the offer aligns with a normal AEWV process (no “guarantees,” no shortcuts). (Immigration New Zealand)

Business legitimacy checks

• Search the employer on the NZ Companies Register and confirm active status and matching details. (Companies Register)
• Match the company name, address, and website domain to the register details.

Contact authenticity checks

• Validate the recruiter/contact through official company channels (website, published HR contacts).
• Be cautious with free email accounts and unverifiable WhatsApp-only communication.

Employment standards checks

• Demand a written employment agreement and confirm basic legal minimums are respected. (Immigration New Zealand)
• Watch for pay irregularities; understand payslip transparency expectations. (employment.govt.nz)

Safety checks

• Never pay “visa sponsorship fees” to a recruiter.
• If exploitation or scam indicators appear, use official reporting routes. (employment.govt.nz)

Common scam red flags (high-confidence indicators)

Treat these as serious warning signs:

1. You are asked to pay money to “secure sponsorship,” “buy a quota,” or “activate your job token.”
2. Pressure tactics: “Offer expires today,” “Pay now or lose the slot.”
3. No verifiable employer trail: the contact refuses video calls, refuses official email, or cannot be verified via the company’s website.
4. Fake documents: letters with inconsistent logos, missing addresses, or mismatched company registration details.
5. Too-good-to-be-true conditions: extremely high wages for low-skill roles, “no interview needed,” “visa approval guaranteed.”
6. Avoidance of written employment agreement or refusal to specify job location, hours, and pay clearly. (Immigration New Zealand)

Conclusion

Verifying an accredited employer in New Zealand is not a single action—it is a systematic cross-check. Start with Immigration New Zealand’s official Accredited employer list, confirm the business is real and active on the Companies Register, and then validate that the person offering you the job is genuinely connected to the employer. (Immigration New Zealand)

Finally, sanity-check the job offer against New Zealand’s minimum employment expectations and be alert to pressure tactics or payment demands. If anything does not add up, pause, verify again, and use official reporting channels where appropriate. (Immigration New Zealand)

FAQs

1) If an employer is on the INZ accredited list, does that guarantee I will get an AEWV?

No. It confirms the employer has INZ accreditation to hire migrants, but your visa still depends on the role, documents, and your application meeting requirements. (Immigration New Zealand)

2) The recruiter says the employer is accredited, but I cannot find the name on the INZ list. What should I do?

Do not send money or sensitive documents. Double-check spelling, try partial-name searches, and confirm you are using the correct INZ list. If it still does not appear, treat it as high risk until the employer can be verified on the official page. (Immigration New Zealand)

3) How can I confirm a New Zealand company is real and active?

Use the New Zealand Companies Register to verify company status and details, then match those details to the job offer and the employer’s website/contact points. (Companies Register)

4) Is “ACC accredited employer” the same as “INZ accredited employer”?

No. ACC accreditation relates to a workplace injury claims program and is separate from immigration accreditation for hiring migrants under AEWV. (acc.co.nz)

5) What are the most common visa-job scam tactics in New Zealand recruitment?

Common tactics include charging “sponsorship fees,” guaranteeing approvals, using fake company identities, and avoiding written employment agreements or verifiable contact channels. Use INZ and Companies Register checks to reduce risk. (Immigration New Zealand)

6) Where can I report migrant exploitation or get help if something feels wrong?

New Zealand provides official guidance and reporting options for migrant exploitation through Employment New Zealand. (employment.govt.nz)