New Zealand
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Source auto-reconfirmed 1 August 2026 by the daily automated check (figures unchanged since last review).
New Zealand lists the AEWV worker application from NZD 1,540, with separate employer-side accreditation and job-check fees where the employer is not already ready to hire.
These are the fees paid to the New Zealand government. For sponsored routes, the payer varies by country and component; use the item notes and primary source to confirm whether the sponsor, applicant, or both pay. Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) cost in New Zealand?
New Zealand lists the AEWV worker application from NZD 1,540, with separate employer-side accreditation and job-check fees where the employer is not already ready to hire.
Verified against Immigration New Zealand - Accredited Employer Work Visa on 1 July 2026.
Headline total
NZ$1,540
Worker application only
No changes recorded for this figure since 1 July 2026.
Currency
NZD (New Zealand dollar)
Last checked
1 July 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Accredited Employer Work Visa application# INZ publishes the applicant visa cost as "from NZD $1,540" on the AEWV route page; country-specific payment handling can vary. | NZ$1,540 | Yes |
Standard employer accreditation# Employer-side fee for a business hiring up to 5 migrants. INZ says employers cannot pass accreditation, recruitment or operational costs to AEWV workers. | NZ$775 | Optional |
AEWV job check# Employer-side fee. A job check can include multiple positions for the same job, pay, location and minimum requirements. | NZ$735per job check | Optional |
Worked example
Worker application only — NZ$1,540
- NZD 1,540 worker visa application fee; employer accreditation and job-check costs are separate employer-side fees
How to read these fees
The NZ$1,540 headline covers worker application only. Of the 3 components listed above, 1 is mandatory and 2 are optional add-ons (such as priority processing) you can choose to skip. The single biggest mandatory line is Accredited Employer Work Visa application at NZ$1,540.
Bringing family changes the total — see the dependant section below. Treat the figure as a planning estimate rather than a quote: confirm each line on the official source linked below on the day you pay, because these fees are revised regularly.
Dependant fees
Family members apply on separate partner or child visa routes. Current headline examples include NZD 1,630 for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, NZD 750 for a Dependent Child Student Visa, and NZD 341 for a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa.
Whether an AEWV holder can support partner or child visas depends on job skill level, pay and family-route rules.
Why fees change
INZ fee settings changed materially since older AEWV guidance; verify the route page and employer-fee page before relying on any number.
Primary source
Immigration New Zealand - Accredited Employer Work Visa
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa/
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) fee schedule", https://visaatlas.org/fees/new-zealand/accredited-employer-work-visa. Last verified 1 July 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/fees
Primary sources (2)
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) cost in government fees?
New Zealand lists the AEWV worker application from NZD 1,540, with separate employer-side accreditation and job-check fees where the employer is not already ready to hire. The worked example assumes worker application only, totalling NZ$1,540. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
INZ fee settings changed materially since older AEWV guidance; verify the route page and employer-fee page before relying on any number.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Family members apply on separate partner or child visa routes. Current headline examples include NZD 1,630 for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, NZD 750 for a Dependent Child Student Visa, and NZD 341 for a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
Processing time
How long the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) takes from application to decision.
Compare: Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa fees
Points-based residence visa for skilled workers — New Zealand's primary pathway to permanent residence for skilled migrants.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.