Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for South African citizens

Eligibility for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is set by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though South African applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Commonwealth. See the criteria below for the published requirements.

Pretoria (VFS). Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.

South African nationals require a visa for any entry into New Zealand. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.

Government fees for the worked example (Worker application only) total about NZ$1,540. 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. Figures from Immigration New Zealand - Accredited Employer Work Visa, verified 1 July 2026. Treat these as indicative — confirm the current schedule on the official source before budgeting.

The AEWV - minimum income to support dependent children floor is NZ$58,240/yr, effective 9 March 2026 (Immigration New Zealand - Operational Manual U8.20). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.

You need a job offer from an employer that holds current INZ accreditation and has passed a job check for the role, pay at the New Zealand market rate, and either 2 or more years of relevant work experience or a relevant qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. Jobs at skill levels 3 to 5 also carry an English-language requirement, with test results no more than 2 years old, and everyone must meet health and character requirements.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) replaced the Essential Skills visa, the Talent (Accredited Employer) work visa, and several other employer-linked categories in mid-2022. All employer-sponsored temporary work now goes through the three-stage AEWV process: employer accreditation, job check, worker application.

The worker application costs from NZD 1,540. On the employer side, standard accreditation costs NZD 775 (NZD 1,280 for high-volume employers hiring 6 or more migrants) and each job check costs NZD 735. INZ rules prohibit employers from passing accreditation, job-check, recruitment or other employer costs on to the worker.

Up to 5 years continuously for jobs at ANZSCO or NOL skill levels 1 to 3, and up to 3 years for skill levels 4 and 5. From 9 March 2026, 47 additional level 1 to 3 occupations were recognised under the National Occupation List, and workers in lower-skilled or reclassified roles may be able to extend their stay by moving into an approved level 1 to 3 position.

No — the blanket median-wage requirement for the AEWV was removed in March 2025; jobs must instead be paid at the market rate for the role. The immigration median wage still matters elsewhere: it is NZD 35.00 per hour from 9 March 2026 and governs Green List pay rates, twice-median exemptions, and Skilled Migrant Category income points. Always confirm the current rules on the INZ website.

Use INZ's accredited-employer list and search by NZBN, company name or trading name. INZ says the list is updated daily, but some accredited employers choose not to be published, so a missing listing is a signal to ask the employer for confirmation rather than automatic proof they are not accredited.

Yes, indirectly. AEWV holders in Green List occupations may have a Straight to Residence or Work to Residence route. Other workers normally look at the Skilled Migrant Category: the current SMC skilled-job floor is NZD 35/hour for ANZSCO skill levels 1 to 3 and NZD 52.50/hour for skill levels 4 to 5, while income points start at NZD 52.50/hour for 3 points, NZD 70/hour for 4 points and NZD 105/hour for 6 points.

Family members are not included in the AEWV application itself. Depending on your job, pay and skill level, you may be able to support a partner visitor or work visa, and visitor or student visas for dependent children. To support dependent child visas you must earn at least NZD 58,240 gross per year from 9 March 2026, and couples who both hold AEWVs can combine incomes to meet it. INZ currently lists the Partner of a Worker Work Visa from NZD 1,630, Dependent Child Student Visa from NZD 750 and Child of a Worker Visitor Visa from NZD 341.

The AEWV is tied to the employer and role specified in the application. To change employers, your new employer must be accredited, pass a fresh job check, and you must apply for a new AEWV. You cannot start working for the new employer until the new visa is granted.