What Does the ‘New Accredited Employer Work Visa’ Mean for Employers?

Update as of 7 April 2022: 

• INZ released further updates on the fee and estimated processing timeframes for the 3 steps to hiring a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Find out here!

Update as of 22 March 2022:

• INZ released further updates on the accreditation and job check steps. Please see them here.

We now know that:

• The current employer accreditation system will close on 30th June 2021.
• INZ will begin accepting applications under the new system from late September 2021.
• The 3 check system and Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will go live on 1st November 2021
• As of 16 July 2021, Immigration New Zealand has deferred the new employer accreditation system and the new Accredited Employer Work Visa from 1 November 2021 to mid-2022. Official dates for both are yet to be announced.
• Updated: In late October 2021, the Government finally confirmed that beginning 4 July 2022, an employer must be accredited in order to employ a migrant worker on an employer-supported work visa.

The AEWV will replace key work visa categories i.e., Essential Skills, Talent (Accredited Employer) and Long Term Skill Shortage List.

What Does This New Accreditation Mean for Employers?

Employers need to apply for and obtain accreditation from INZ before they start hiring migrants on AEWVs. Accreditation is only needed for supporting employment-specific visa applications. This means accreditation is not required for hiring visa holders with open work rights. This includes but is not limited, post study work visa, student visa or partnership work visa holders.

Businesses employing migrants who hold a current talent or essential skill work visa don’t need to become accredited until they want to hire someone on a new work visa or until their employee’s visa runs out and employer support is needed for their next visa – on or after 1st November 2021.

We also know that Labour Market Tests will be required in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, unless the occupation falls into one of the skill shortage lists and meets the requirement of that list.

With all this information now known, taking a last-minute approach to employer accreditation can be risky for a business and its continuity. Especially, since accreditation and visa processing time frames are currently unknown. Getting this timing and planning wrong could potentially create several long-lasting issues for the business and for their visa holder employees including uncertainty about further visa renewal leading to anxiety amongst employees and a possible gap in resources within the business.

The government’s goal for these new policies is to combat migrant exploitation by strengthening requirements on employers. It also serves the purpose of encouraging employers to focus on ways to train and upskill New Zealanders. As a result, it is anticipated that the new system will have key benefits as it would allow businesses to employ migrants only where there are genuine skill shortages.

Employers: Don't Take Unnecessary Risks when It Comes to Accreditation

To put all this information into perspective for employers across NZ and help plan for change effectively, we are co-hosting panel events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Panelists from INZ, RCSA, local business chambers and Aims Global will make sense of the myriad policy updates and help you understand how to navigate this new world of immigration. Secure your seats and join us for one or all of our panel discussions through the links below.

Questions about the new employer accreditation system?
Contact us for a complimentary consultation.