Employer Accreditation Renewal
With a Licensed Immigration Adviser
Are you one of the 33,000+ employers who have become accredited since applications first opened in May 2022?
If the answer is yes, you may be one of the many employers whose accreditation is due to expire sometime this year.
Seamless Accreditation Renewal for NZ Employers
The first phase of Employer Accreditation renewal begins in July 2024, following several changes that impact both employers and AEWV holders. These changes came into effect on April 7 2024.
Is your accreditation due to expire in the next two months?
Who needs to renew Employer Accreditation?
Whether or not you renew depends on the needs of your organisation.
If you intend to:
You’ll need to renew your Employer Accreditation.
How to renew Employer Accreditation
The Employer accreditation renewal process starts with completing the online form provided by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for re-accreditation under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
However, before you do that, you’ll need to gather evidence to support your application.
Tips for Accreditation renewal
Finer details not your strong suit? Do it once and do it right with a Licensed Immigration Adviser by your side.
Important timing for your accreditation renewal
Getting the timing right for your accreditation renewal is the key to a seamless process.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) anticipates a high volume of renewals, so it’s important to understand the timing.
Check current employer accreditation wait times
Around eight weeks before your accreditation expires, you should start preparing your application.
Around six weeks before your accreditation expires, you’ll need to complete and submit your application to be approved in time.
Two weeks before your accreditation expires, INZ will send you a reminder if you haven’t yet applied to renew. At this point it’s unlikely your new accreditation will be granted before your old one expires, and you may qualify for interim accreditation.
About interim accreditation
If your accreditation expires while you are waiting for the outcome of your renewal application, you may qualify for an interim 3-month accreditation.
You cannot apply for interim accreditation. In order to qualify:
- You must have applied for renewal before your accreditation expired;
- Your application must still be in progress; and
- You must have applied for the right type of accreditation for your business.
You will not be granted interim accreditation if you have applied for the wrong type of accreditation.
Remember…
INZ will renew your accreditation from the date that your application is approved. This means that if you apply too early, you’ll lose the time where your new accreditation overlaps with your previous accreditation.
For example: If your current accreditation expires on August 30 but INZ approves your application on August 1, your new accreditation will begin on August 1.
Why engage an expert?
The process is straightforward, but it requires careful attention to detail and timing to get it done without delays or declines.
With the help of Licensed Immigration Advisers from VisaAide, you can present a robust case to INZ, demonstrating your ability to meet accreditation requirements.
Engage one of our Licensed Immigration Advisers for fast and easy handling of your accreditation renewal
Why renew?
- Retain the ability to hire skilled migrant workers.
- Safeguard your reputation as a responsible employer.
- Maintain eligibility for government contracts and incentives.
- Demonstrate commitment to compliance, enhancing trust with stakeholders.
What has changed for Employer Accreditation?
Changes came into effect on April 7 2024 and affect both employers and AEWV applicants.
For more information, you can watch the webinar where our Director and Licensed Immigration Adviser Cameron Gray explains these changes in greater detail.
Accreditation Renewal FAQs
You should renew your accreditation before it expires. Immigration New Zealand recommends completing your application for renewal six weeks before your current accreditation expires.
Your first accreditation is valid for 12 months, and subsequent renewals for standard and high-volume accreditations are valid for 24 months. Controlling third-party accreditations are valid for 12 months upon renewal.
Your accreditation will automatically expire on the expiry date. You can still employ existing workers until their visas expire but you cannot hire new workers or support new visa applications without valid accreditation.
Log in to Immigration Online, go to 'Employ Migrants', select 'My accredited organisations', then 'View organisation' and choose 'Renew accreditation'. Submit the required documents and pay the fee.
Provide evidence of being a viable and genuinely operating business, compliance with business standards, and settlement support given to AEWV employees. This includes financial records, GST or PAYE records, and evidence of completed Employment New Zealand modules.
You may qualify for an interim 3-month accreditation if you applied before your current accreditation expires and you meet the criteria.
Yes, you can change your accreditation type when you renew, such as downgrading from high-volume to standard accreditation.
Allow at least 6 weeks for your application to be processed. Check current processing times on the Immigration New Zealand website.
You can continue to employ existing workers until their visas expire, but you cannot hire new workers or support new visa applications without valid accreditation.
Immigration NZ suggests completing your application six weeks before your current accreditation expires. The timeframes can change. Before the changes came into effect, INZ suggested two weeks’ lead time. It can depend on the volume of renewals they are processing at the time and how well-prepared the applications are.
You are becoming re-accredited when you apply for renewal, so the focus is on assessing whether you have fulfilled your commitments from your original application, like completion of Employment NZ modules and providing settlement support for employees.
The online form for the re-accreditation process can be accessed via the INZ website.
Common issues include applying for the incorrect accreditation type and non-compliance with INZ's guidelines. To avoid these, ensure you understand the process fully and adhere to all the guidelines required by INZ.
INZ provides comprehensive guidelines detailing the necessary steps and requirements for the renewal process. VisaAide's team of experts is ready to assist employers in interpreting and following these guidelines.
Act now: Renew today
Prompt action ensures a seamless renewal process
Learn more about renewing Employer Accreditation
Webinar
Changes to the AEWV and Employer Accreditation
With Licensed Immigration Adviser Cameron Gray (includes transcript)
Download
The Pros and Cons of Accreditation Renewal
To renew or not to renew? A quick pros and cons list to help with your decision (for NZ Employers)
INZ
Visit Immigration NZ
Start the application process, read about they types of evidence required, and more on the INZ website