Foreign workers applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa are optimistic about obtaining approval sooner due to reduced visa processing times. The Accredited Employer Work Visa allows foreign workers to work in New Zealand with a job offer and required skills. With this visa, you can work in New Zealand for an accredited employer who has offered you at least 30 hours of work a week or study for up to 3 months in any 12 months, or do any study required as part of your employment.
If you are eligible, you can apply for a Straight to Residence Visa, Work to Residence Visa, Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa or Transport Work to Residence Visa. Most AEWV holders can stay in New Zealand for a total of 5 years.
The good news is that Immigration New Zealand is prioritizing the efficient and timely processing of AEWV applications, demonstrating a commitment to improving visa processing times.
New Zealand Immigration has made deliberate changes to group applications together, allocating them to a specific team for simultaneous assessment, particularly in large groups from the same sector or location.
In doing so, applications that include the necessary evidence and documentation will be given priority. Even if your application is allocated first it does not necessarily mean it will be decided in that order. The quality and completeness of any application has a direct impact on how long it takes for the application to be decided.
Incomplete applications are still significantly impacting current processing times. Make sure you include all the information we need, including Police certificates and English language test results. Incomplete applications may be declined.
Allocation priorities for the week 3 November 2024
Applications for the following groups are being allocated to dedicated teams for efficient processing. The groups will be reviewed on a weekly basis. All other applications will continue to be allocated to teams for processing in date order from oldest to newest.
Employer accreditation applications where the employer’s interim accreditation is expiring within 6 weeks.
Job Check applications for Green list, ANZSCO skill level 1 roles and applications made in the last 10 days.
Job Check applications for ANZSCO skill level 2 hospitality roles.
Job Check applications where employer accreditation is due to expire before 30 November 2024.
Job Check applications where employer accreditation has expired will be given 5 days to apply to renew their accreditation. If a renewal application is not received, any Job Check applications in progress may be declined.
Work visa applications where the employer accreditation is due to expire before the end of November.
For any work visa applications where employer accreditation has expired, employers will be given 5 days to apply to renew their accreditation. If a renewal application is not received, any work visa applications in progress will be assessed and may be declined.
Applications for visa holders in New Zealand who currently hold an interim visa with no work rights and are moving off a visa where they had open work rights.
Work visa applications for Green list roles.
Applications to extend a work visa up to the maximum period allowed for Green list roles.