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.

Keep your accreditation current and your workforce secure

Employer accreditation isn’t a one-and-done process. If you want to keep hiring new migrant workers or support current staff with visa extensions or residence, staying accredited is essential.

If your accreditation expires, you can’t support new AEWV applications, use job checks or issue job tokens — even if they’re still valid. You also can’t support visa extensions or new hires.

Renewing on time keeps your options open and your workforce secure. Whether it’s your first renewal or you’re planning ahead, we’ll guide you through exactly what’s required — with no surprises.

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:

continue hiring migrant workers,
renew or extend the visas of your current workers, and/or
support pathways to residency for your valued workers

You’ll need to renew your Employer Accreditation.

How to renew Employer Accreditation

Renewing your employer accreditation under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme is a straightforward process — as long as you’re prepared. You’ll need to complete the online renewal form through Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and provide supporting documents that show you’re meeting all the requirements.

Before you start the application, make sure you’ve gathered the right evidence to avoid delays or complications.

What to prepare for your renewal

Proof of business viability—Include financial documents and evidence that your business is operating genuinely and sustainably.
Proof of compliance—Show how you’ve met the commitments made in your initial accreditation.
Correct accreditation type—Make sure you’re applying for the right accreditation type. If you choose the wrong one, you’ll need to reapply and pay another fee.
Supporting documents upfront—Providing everything INZ needs from the start helps reduce processing delays and ensures your accreditation continues smoothly.

Finer details not your strong suit? Do it once and do it right with a Licensed Immigration Adviser by your side.

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?

Several key changes have come into effect that impact both employers and AEWV applicants:

Median wage removed– As of 10 March 2025, AEWV roles no longer need to meet the median wage. You must now pay at least minimum wage and a fair market rate.
No more employer modules – From 27 January 2025, the Employment NZ online training modules are no longer required for accreditation.
Lower work experience threshold – AEWV applicants in lower-skilled roles now need just two years’ relevant experience.
Longer AEWV for lower-skilled roles – AEWVs for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles now last up to three years.
Updated income threshold – AEWV holders supporting dependent children must earn at least $55,844 per year.

These updates simplify the process — but also raise the bar for getting it right.

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.

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.

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.

Immigration NZ’s timeframes can change. It can depend on the volume of renewals they are processing at the time and how well-prepared the applications are.

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.

The online form for the re-accreditation process can be accessed via the INZ website.

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.

Yes, you can change your accreditation type when you renew, such as downgrading from high-volume to standard accreditation.

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.

You may qualify for an interim 3-month accreditation if you applied before your current accreditation expires and you meet the criteria.

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.

Check current processing times on the Immigration New Zealand website.

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)

Watch the webinar

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 the types of evidence required, and more on the INZ website

visit inz

More helpful Accreditation links:

Immigration NZ current wait times here
INZ Renew Accreditation page here
Read our Accreditation Renewal blog here