Accredited Employers in New Zealand 2027 – Complete Guide
One of the most crucial terms you will encounter when searching for Accredited Employers in New Zealand jobs from overseas is “accredited employer.
The accredited employer is a business that has been accepted by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to hire migrant workers through the appropriate work visa pathways, such as the Accredred Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
For overseas workers, one key component of the work-visa process is securing a job with an accredited employer. But, being an accredited employer does not ensure that any job opportunity that comes up from this employer automatically becomes available for a visa to work in the country.
There are a number of factors that the employer, the position, the job check, the qualifications and experience of the worker, salary and visa requirements must all be taken into account.
Immigration New Zealand have an official online database to help applicants determine if an employer is accredited. Database is updated on a daily basis.
New Zealand Accredited Employers List – NZ Immigration
An Accredited Employer in New Zealand?
An employer who has been accepted by Immigration New Zealand to sponsor migrant workers under the relevant Immigration Rules is called a New Zealand Accredited Employer.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system is mainly connected with employer accreditation.
There are usually three phases in the AEWV system:
- Employer accreditation
- Job check
- Worker’s visa application
Also visit, Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand 2027
Immigration New Zealand says that an employer must first apply for accreditation then for a job check on the type of job, before an eligible migrant worker can apply for an AEWV for that job.
This is a crucial difference:
Accredited employers ≠ automatic visa sponsorship to all jobs.
It’s possible for an employer to be accredited but a specific vacancy to not have the required job check or to not meet the criteria of the worker’s preferred visa.
Why is it that Accredited Employers in New Zealand are important to Overseas Workers?
When looking for jobs in New Zealand, it’s crucial for foreigners, including those from Pakistan, India, the Philippines, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka and elsewhere, to distinguish between the good and the bad employers.
Up to an accredited employer may be able to employ a qualified migrant worker under the AEWV system, depending on the employer’s, position’s and the worker’s qualifications and eligibility.
AEWV is New Zealand’s primary temporary skilled visa for working for an accredited employer. Immigration New Zealand states that those who meet visa requirements can work in New Zealand for up to five years under the visa, depending on the visa conditions and the job.
What is the number of Accredited Employers in New Zealand?
The number will vary with the acquisition, renewal, suspension and withdrawal of businesses’ accreditation.
Immigration New Zealand’s most recent published statistics show that at 31 August 2026, there were over 29,000 accredited employers in New Zealand. At that time INZ also had over 94,000 AEWV holders.
The database is updated on a regular basis so it’s best to use the official search tool instead of an outdated article with a list of companies.
To determine if a new employer in New Zealand is accredited.
Immigration New Zealand has an official Accredited Employers in New Zealand List.
Searches can be performed by:
- Company name
- Trading name
- New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
In this case Immigration New Zealand states that you can use the first 3 characters of the company/trading name you’re looking for.
Any NZBN can be entered if the employer provides the full 13 digit NZBN.
This is the official employer verification tool.
Ensure that you have checked whether you are an Accredited Employer with Immigration New Zealand
Important
The official database is updated every day, although Immigration New Zealand acknowledges that some employers have opted not to be included in the searches that are public.
So if you can’t locate an employer, it does not mean the employer isn’t accredited. Use a checklist when appropriate: INZ recommends checking with the employer.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is what?What does the Accredited Employer Work Visa mean?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a visa for overseas workers who are working in New Zealand for an employer who is accredited.
In general, the following are required:
- A genuine job offer
- Work experience with a registered employer
- An eligible position
- An approved job check
- The necessary skills and/or experience
- Any occupational registration required.Any of the required occupational registrations.
- All health and character requirements must be met.
- Ability in English (where applicable)
- Compliance with the particular visa conditions.
The exact requirements depend on the position and applicant.
How the New Zealand Accredited Employer System Works
It’s often easier to understand when broken down into three steps.
Step 1: Employer Accreditation
The employer requests Immigration New Zealand to accredit.
The accreditation types of INZ vary according to the circumstances of the employer and numbers of migrant workers to be employed.
The present system comprises:
- Standard accreditation
- High-volume accreditation
- Accreditation of the triangular employment businesses.
According to Immigration New Zealand, businesses that wish to take on five or fewer migrants must go for standard accreditation, whilst businesses that wish to take on six or more migrants must complete high-volume accreditation.
Step 2: Job Check
Once they are accredited, the employer may need to get a job check for the particular job.
Job check does not equate with employer accreditation.
Imagine it like this:
Employer accreditation = employer’s approval
Job check = approval of the particular job for migrant recruitment
The position needs to meet the relevant criteria for the following:
- Job duties
- Pay
- Hours
- Location
- Skills
- Qualifications
- Recruitment requirements
- New Zealand employment legislation.
Immigration New Zealand says job checks are usually valid for six months or until the accreditation of the employer expires, whichever is sooner.
Step 3: Worker applies for the AEWV
If the employer and position fulfill the requirements, the eligible worker may be able to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
The worker will still have to meet their own immigration conditions.
Visa approval is not a sure thing if you are offered a job.
Immigration New Zealand considers the worker’s application based on the conditions of the visa.
What Types of jobs may Accredited Employers provide?
There are a number of industries that hold accredited employers.
Vacancies may exist in such areas as:
- Healthcare
- Registered nurses
- Healthcare professionals
- Support roles
- Medical specialists
- Allied health occupations
- Construction
- Construction workers
- Project roles
- Quantity surveying
- Civil construction
- Building trades
- Engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Engineering technicians
- Information Technology
- Software development
- IT support
- Cybersecurity
- Data-related roles
- Web development
- Systems administration
- Hospitality
- Chefs
- Restaurant managers
- Hotel roles
- Food-service positions
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Farm workers
- Forestry workers
- Dairy-related roles
- Agricultural positions
- Transport and Logistics
- Heavy vehicle drivers
- Logistics roles
- Warehouse positions
- Transport-related jobs
- Education
- Teachers
- Early childhood education positions.Early childhood education jobs
- Specialist education positions
The categories vary over time and not all jobs within these industries are eligible for an AEWV.
Accredited Employer vs Visa Sponsorship
Sometimes, these terms are used synonymously on the internet, but they are not quite the same.
Accredited Employer
An employer is granted approval from Immigration New Zealand for the accreditation system.
Visa Support
If an employer wants to advertise that they are willing to sponsor an overseas candidate who is eligible to take part in the immigration process, they can.
AEWV Job
If the employer, job check and worker meet the requirements, then a particular position may be able to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
So make sure you don’t take it for granted that:
“This company is accredited, so of course I can be a member of an AEWV.”
It still depends on the particular and specific vacancy and on your own qualifications.
Is there a job for foreign workers for every Accredited Employer?
No.
An employer may be accredited, but have no jobs available for overseas workers at the present time.
Also, a job opening from a reputable employer isn’t necessarily a job opening for a foreigner.
Employers need to meet the job-check and recruitment requirements that apply.
The first step for some roles is to advertise the position and to ‘pursue an active search’ for an appropriate New Zealand citizen or resident.
Job Advertising Requirements
Some employers currently need to advertise AEWV jobs in order to apply for a job check with Immigration New Zealand.
The job must be advertised on a national job platform or other suitable platform where New Zealand citizens and residents are likely to apply, for applicable jobs.
Examples include:
- SEEK
- Trade Me
- Industry-specific job websites
INZ states that jobs at ANZSCO skill code 1-3, in most cases, require a minimum of 14 days of advertising, while jobs within applicable skill code 4-5, in most cases, require a minimum of 21 days of advertising and engagement with Work and Income. Exceptions apply and include some Green List and seasonal jobs.
How much will you need to earn to have an AEWV job?
Conditions of pay may vary; applicants should always refer to the current Immigration New Zealand regulations.
The employer shall pay the requirements of the job including the applicable market-rate requirements.
The minimum and maximum salary/pay must be stated in the job announcement and the job must offer at least the required number of guaranteed hours.
As per Immigration New Zealand, AEWV advertisement for job opportunities should ensure that a minimum of 30 hours of work is provided during the entire contract.
Specially for those applying from abroad, some online ads may employ terms like:
“Earn up to…”
“Potential earnings…”
“Unlimited income…”
“Piece rate…”
It is important for the applicant to read the terms of the employment contract carefully to determine the actual income he or she is guaranteed.
Are Seasonal Workers allowed to be Employed by Accredited Employers?
Yes, but there is an area where applicants must grasp the difference between regular AEWV work and seasonal pathways to work.
AEWV-accredited employers are able to recruit eligible seasonal migrant workers under seasonal AEWV pathways such as: Immigration New Zealand states:
- Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)
- Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)
These visas will have different requirements than regular AEWV applications.
This implies that if you are looking for seasonal work in New Zealand 2027, don’t just look for accredited employer.
Ensure that you also check the relevant seasonal visa pathway and occupation list.
Search New Zealand Job Websites
- Seek
- Trade Me Jobs
- Employer Career Jobs
- Industry Speecific Websites
- Recruitment Agencies