Hiring an AEWV worker already in New Zealand?

Variation of Conditions and Job Change information for employers hiring migrant workers who are already in New Zealand.

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Hiring onshore Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders 

If you’re looking to hire an AEWV holder who is already working in New Zealand, they may need to change the conditions of their visa before they can start working for you.

A Job Change (Variation of Conditions) can be used to change their employer, job or work location.

As the new employer, you’ll also need to meet the relevant AEWV requirements.

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Our Licensed Immigration Advisers can help you understand your employer obligations and what your AEWV-holder needs to do before changing jobs.

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Work Visa Variation of Conditions for AEWV holders

When an AEWV holder changes employer, job or work location, they may need to change the conditions of their work visa before they can work under the new conditions.

For AEWV holders, this is managed through Immigration New Zealand’s Job Change process.

Applying for a Variation of Conditions through a Job Change

For AEWV holders, a Job Change is the process used to apply to change employment-related conditions on their existing visa.

Depending on the worker’s circumstances, this can allow them to change their employer, job or work location without applying for a completely new AEWV.

The alternative to modifying the conditions on an AEWV is to apply for a full new AEWV which could then involve requirements such as medicals and police certificates, and typically has a longer processing time.  

Please note a Job Change does not change the validity of an AEWV. Therefore, if the AEWV holder has a 36-month validity visa, it could be a better option to apply for a new AEWV instead of a Job Change if the offer of employment meets the criteria for the applicant to remain in New Zealand for up to 5 years from the date they first arrived as an AEWV holder.  

An AEWV holder can use the Job Change request to change: 

  • Employer
  • Position
  • Location
  • Their ability to study a relevant course while they work.

Requirements for an AEWV Job Change application

As part of the Job Change request, the AEWV holder will need to provide a valid Job Check approval number that has an available token, which you, as their potential new employer, will need to provide.  

If you do not have a valid Job Check with a token available, you will need to complete a new Job Check before the AEWV holder is able to apply for a Job Change.

Among other criteria, when making a Job Change request, an AEWV holder will need to meet the Minimum Skills Threshold which means they will need either: 

  • A bachelor’s degree, or
  • Sufficient evidence of at least 2 years relevant work experience, or
  • A relevant qualification that has been assessed by NZQA as a NZ level 4 or higher.

Employer obligations when hiring an AEWV-holder

As the new employer of an AEWV holder, you’ll need to meet the relevant accredited employer requirements.

To employ someone on an AEWV, you must: 

  • Have valid Employer Accreditation
  • Have a current Job Check for the job being offered.
  • Check that the AEWV holder has the skills, qualifications and experience required for the job.
  • Pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage and ensure the pay meets the market rate for the role.

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Our Licensed Immigration Advisers can help ensure you and your new hire are legally compliant.

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Employing onshore migrants FAQs

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme has been designed to ensure that migrant labour is used to fill genuine skill or labour shortages and to protect migrant workers from exploitation. A condition of the AEWV is that the employer must be accredited in order to hire holders of an AEWV, and to be accredited the employer must meet certain criteria.  

Visit Employer Accreditation: The first step in recruiting migrant workers for more information.

A Job Check is the second step in the three step AEWV process. It is where the employment agreement and job description are assessed by Immigration NZ. Most Job Checks will require evidence of labour market testing. Occupations on the Green List can mean that the Job Check is exempt from labour market testing, but please note that as the AEWV holder would then need to meet the requirements listed in the Green List for their occupation, it can make things difficult.  
Visit Job Check for Accredited Employer Work Visa for more details.

No. The conditions must be changed before employment commences. 

No. It may be better to apply for a full new AEWV but only if the AEWV holder and the offer of employment meets the criteria to extend the AEWV.

A job token is a unique single-use code that is used by the applicant to apply for an AEWV. It is provided to an employer once a Job Check has been approved.  
A Job Change request does not require the token to be emailed to the potential applicant for the application to be completed. Only the Job Check approval number is required. 

A Variation of Conditions changes specific conditions attached to an existing visa. For AEWV holders who need to change their employer, job or work location, this is handled through Immigration New Zealand’s Job Change process.

The AEWV holder makes the Job Change application. As the new employer, you may need to hold Employer Accreditation and provide a valid Job Check approval number for the new job.