New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) remains the core “visa sponsorship” route for most overseas workers who want a job offer from a New Zealand employer and a temporary work visa tied to that job. In 2026, the AEWV landscape is shaped by several policy updates and process refinements—especially around wage thresholds, skill requirements, English language rules for lower-skilled roles, maximum time you can remain on AEWVs, and document requirements (including police certificates submitted upfront). (Immigration New Zealand)
This guide explains, step-by-step, how AEWV “visa sponsorship” works in practice, how to find legitimate accredited employers, how to avoid common refusal reasons, and what to prepare so your 2026 application is strong and compliant.
1) What “visa sponsorship” means under AEWV (in plain terms)
When people say “AEWV jobs with visa sponsorship,” they typically mean:
- You get a job offer from a New Zealand employer that is accredited to hire migrants under the AEWV system. (Immigration New Zealand)
- The employer gets the role approved through a Job Check (or already has an approved Job Check for that role). (Immigration New Zealand)
- You apply for the AEWV using that job offer and the Job Check details, and you must meet the visa rules (skills, pay, health/character, and any occupation-specific requirements). (Immigration New Zealand)
AEWV is an employer-linked visa: your visa conditions generally tie you to the employer/role you were approved for, and changes (like moving employers) may require a formal process. INZ has also implemented controls that can pause certain job-change applications in exceptional risk cases involving employers. (Immigration New Zealand)
2) The three-step AEWV system you must understand (Accreditation → Job Check → Worker Visa)
Think of AEWV as a pipeline with three gates:
Gate A: Employer accreditation
The employer must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to hire workers on AEWV. (Immigration New Zealand)
Gate B: Job Check approval
For most hiring under AEWV (including regular and certain seasonal AEWV pathways), the accredited employer must obtain an approved Job Check for the specific job/role they want to fill. (Immigration New Zealand)
Gate C: Your AEWV application (“worker check”)
You apply for the AEWV using the job offer and Job Check details and prove you meet the visa requirements (skill/experience/qualification, remuneration rules, health/character, English where applicable). (Immigration New Zealand)
If any gate is missing (employer not accredited, Job Check not approved, or you don’t meet requirements), your application can be delayed or declined.
3) AEWV eligibility in 2026: the rules that matter most
A. Minimum skill requirement (experience or qualification)
INZ sets a minimum skill requirement for AEWV applicants. You generally must show either:
- 2+ years of relevant work experience, or
- A Level 4 or higher qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). (Immigration New Zealand)
This is a key 2026 reality: even if you can do the job, you still must prove you meet INZ’s minimum skill threshold with verifiable evidence.
B. Wage (pay) requirements and thresholds
Wage thresholds are central to AEWV settings and can affect eligibility and outcomes. INZ’s wage rate requirements page shows that where the median wage is used as a threshold, it can change when the median wage changes. (Immigration New Zealand)
INZ has stated that from 18 August 2025, certain AEWV-related thresholds were updated to reflect a median wage of NZD $33.56 per hour (June 2024 median wage figure). (Immigration New Zealand)
Practical impact for 2026 applicants:
- Always confirm the current wage threshold and whether your role requires median wage, a specific Green List pay rate, or another threshold before accepting an offer. (Immigration New Zealand)
- Make sure your employment agreement clearly states the pay rate and guaranteed hours (INZ expects clarity here). (Immigration New Zealand)
C. English language requirements (mainly for lower-skilled roles)
INZ states you must show you can speak and understand English when you apply for an AEWV for a job assessed at level 4 or 5 (under the relevant framework). (Immigration New Zealand)
Important nuance: INZ notes there are no English language requirements if the job is skill level 1–3 (and some NOL-recognised occupations are treated differently per INZ guidance). (Immigration New Zealand)
Bottom line: If your job is in the lower-skill band that triggers English requirements, plan early for acceptable proof (test results or other evidence allowed by INZ policy).
D. Health and character requirements (police certificate rule tightened)
From 8 December 2025, INZ requires AEWV applicants to provide a valid police certificate with the application and stops accepting receipts showing you have applied for one. (Immigration New Zealand)
For 2026 applicants, this is critical:
- Start police certificate requests early (some countries take weeks/months).
- Do not submit an AEWV application assuming you can upload the police certificate “later” using only a receipt.
4) How long you can stay on AEWV: maximum continuous stay (MCS)
INZ explains that the total time you can stay in New Zealand on one or more AEWVs (your “maximum continuous stay”) changes depending on your job and whether the visa is seasonal. (Immigration New Zealand)
INZ also outlines situations where you can increase total AEWV time (for example, if you move into a higher-skilled job with a longer allowed stay). (Immigration New Zealand)
Practical planning tips:
- Before you accept a role, ask the employer (and verify through INZ settings) whether the role is likely to be treated as 3-year or 5-year maximum continuous stay.
- If you plan a longer-term pathway, align your job choice with roles that support residence pathways (more below).
5) AEWV and the National Occupation List (NOL): what changed and why it matters
New Zealand is integrating the National Occupation List (NOL) into work visa settings. INZ explains the NOL groups jobs into occupations with skill levels 1 to 5. (Immigration New Zealand)
INZ also announced that from 3 November 2025, employers can submit Job Checks for newly recognised roles, and that being in a skill level 1–3 role can affect outcomes (including potential ability to stay longer and possibly bring family, depending on settings). (Immigration New Zealand)
For 2026 applicants, this matters because:
- Some roles may be assessed differently under NOL-aligned recognition.
- Eligibility, stay length, and family support options can be influenced by how a role is classified and what pay threshold applies.
6) AEWV vs. Green List: how to choose jobs that can lead to residence
If your goal is not just a temporary job but a long-term future in New Zealand, you should understand the Green List pathway to residence.
INZ states the Green List pathway leads to:
- Straight to Residence Visa (Tier 1 jobs), and
- Work to Residence Visa (Tier 2 jobs). (Immigration New Zealand)
How to use this in your job search:
- Search whether your occupation appears on the Green List and which tier it is. (Immigration New Zealand)
- Check if your role has a specific pay threshold or uses the median wage and whether you meet it. (Immigration New Zealand)
- Confirm any professional registration requirements (common in health, engineering, teaching, trades). (Immigration New Zealand)
This approach helps you avoid taking a job that “gets you in” but stalls your long-term plan.
7) Step-by-step: How to get an AEWV job with visa sponsorship in 2026
Step 1: Target the right job categories and pay bands
In practice, your success rate improves if you focus on:
- Roles where New Zealand consistently recruits overseas due to shortages (often aligned with Green List or critical sectors).
- Roles that meet wage thresholds and have clear classification.
Use INZ’s guidance to verify pay thresholds and ensure your offer matches the required wage rules. (Immigration New Zealand)
Step 2: Verify the employer is accredited (do not skip this)
Only accredited employers can hire under AEWV settings. (Immigration New Zealand)
If an “agent” says they can sponsor you without the employer being accredited, treat that as a major red flag.
Step 3: Confirm there is a valid Job Check for your role
INZ is explicit that employers must apply for a Job Check to hire workers on regular AEWV (and relevant seasonal AEWV types). (Immigration New Zealand)
Practical: Ask the employer if the role is covered by an approved Job Check and whether it is for regular AEWV or a seasonal variant.
Step 4: Build a documentation pack that satisfies AEWV skill rules
Because AEWV has minimum skill requirements, prepare:
- Reference letters on letterhead showing duties, dates, hours, and role relevance (to prove 2+ years experience), or
- Qualification documents showing the appropriate level (NZQCF equivalence is handled by INZ settings; ensure your documents are verifiable). (Immigration New Zealand)
Step 5: Prepare your police certificate early (2026 must-have)
Due to the December 2025 policy change, you generally must include a valid police certificate at submission—receipts are not accepted. (Immigration New Zealand)
Step 6: Apply for the AEWV with consistent, matching information
Your employment agreement must match what the Job Check supports (pay, hours, location, and role). INZ highlights the importance of these employment agreement details in seasonal contexts as well, and the same clarity principle carries over to regular AEWV filings. (Immigration New Zealand)
Common mismatch errors to avoid:
- Job title in offer doesn’t match Job Check role
- Pay stated differently across documents
- Hours not “guaranteed” or unclear
- Work location inconsistent between offer and supporting documents
8) How to spot scams and avoid “fake sponsorship” offers
AEWV is structured and verifiable. Most scams fail basic checks.
Red flags:
- Anyone asking you to pay a large “sponsorship fee” upfront for a job offer.
- Employers who cannot demonstrate accreditation or who avoid discussing Job Checks.
- Offers with vague contracts, unclear pay, or no guaranteed hours.
- Pressure to submit quickly without police certificate/complete documentation—especially risky now that INZ requires police certificates upfront. (Immigration New Zealand)
Safer practice:
- Deal directly with employers or reputable recruitment firms.
- Verify everything against INZ rules and required evidence.
9) Costs and fee notes for 2026: VAC service fee increase
If you apply from certain locations and use a Visa Application Centre (VAC), INZ announced that from 1 January 2026 the VAC service fee for some VACs is changing due to rising costs and inflation. (Immigration New Zealand)
Important clarification: VAC service fees are not the same as the INZ visa application fee; they are an additional service fee in applicable locations.
10) Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1) Do I need a job offer before applying for AEWV?
Yes. AEWV is based on a job offer from an accredited employer and typically relies on an approved Job Check for that role. (Immigration New Zealand)
2) What is the minimum experience/qualification for AEWV in 2026?
INZ’s AEWV minimum skill requirement generally expects either 2+ years of relevant experience or a qualification at NZQCF Level 4+. (Immigration New Zealand)
3) What wage do I need to meet for AEWV?
It depends on your role and settings (some use the median wage, some use specific Green List pay thresholds). INZ notes that from 18 August 2025, certain thresholds were updated to reflect a median wage of NZD $33.56/hour. (Immigration New Zealand)
4) Do AEWV applicants need English test results?
Only some applicants do. INZ states you must show English ability when applying for AEWV for a job at level 4 or 5 (with exceptions for certain roles/settings). (Immigration New Zealand)
5) What changed about police certificates for AEWV?
From 8 December 2025, you must provide a valid police certificate with your AEWV application, and INZ no longer accepts receipts as a substitute. (Immigration New Zealand)
6) How long can I stay in New Zealand on AEWV?
INZ states your maximum continuous stay depends on your job and whether the AEWV is seasonal. There are also rules on how the total time is counted and when it can be increased (e.g., moving to a higher-skilled role). (Immigration New Zealand)
7) Can AEWV lead to residence in New Zealand?
It can, depending on your occupation and pathway. INZ’s Green List provides residence routes through Straight to Residence (Tier 1) or Work to Residence (Tier 2). (Immigration New Zealand)
8) Are there any extra application centre fees in 2026?
INZ announced that from 1 January 2026, VAC service fees are changing for some Visa Application Centres. (Immigration New Zealand)
Conclusion
For 2026, the smartest way to win an AEWV “visa sponsorship” job is to treat the process like compliance work: verify employer accreditation, confirm the Job Check, match your documents to INZ’s minimum skill requirements, and lock down pay, hours, and role classification before you apply. Pay particular attention to policy updates that directly affect application success—especially the requirement to submit a valid police certificate at the time of application, and the updated wage threshold settings. (Immigration New Zealand)