Job Change | Variation of Conditions

Changing the conditions of a work visa or applying for a job change

About the Job Change process 

A Variation of Conditions is the process for changing the conditions on a visa. A Job Change is a streamlined way to change employment-related conditions on a work visa. 

A New Zealand work visa typically comes with certain conditions around who you work for, where you work, and the job you do.

For example, an Accredited Employer Work Visa (or AEWV) includes conditions for both AEWV holders and employers who wish to hire AEWV holders.

Some of these conditions can be changed, but this needs to be done officially through Immigration NZ.

To officially change the conditions of your AEWV, you’ll need to follow the process for a Job Change.

Employers: if you’d like to hire an AEWV-holder who has already been employed elsewhere in New Zealand, there are certain steps you’ll need to follow.

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Work visa conditions that can be changed with a Job Change

You can use a Job Change to apply to change:

  • Your employer
  • Your job or role
  • Your location of work
  • How long you can study for while you work

Tip for applicants: If your visa does not have conditions about what type of work you can do and allows you to work in any location for any employer, you don’t need to apply for a Job Change or a Variation of Conditions. Check the conditions of your visa, which are recorded in your eVisa or on the visa label in your passport. You can also find them in your decision letter from Immigration NZ. 

Varying an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

An AEWV holder can use the Job Change process to change the employer, position, and location specified in the visa conditions.  

The advantage of the Job Change process is that you can change one condition, or a combination of conditions, in a single application.  

Depending on what needs to change, you can either submit a Job Change/Variation of Conditions or apply for a new AEWV entirely. 

Not sure where to start? Talk to us.

A Licensed Immigration Adviser can help to streamline the application process, ensuring you get the best chance at your desired outcome. 

Job Change application requirements

The Job Change application form can be found on the Immigration NZ website.

Changing the conditions of a work visa requires some co-operation between the visa holder and the prospective employer. 

Quick Info for Employers

If you wish to hire someone with a work visa but you’re not the employer specified in the visa, you’ll need to meet certain conditions. 

You must: 

  • Have a valid Employer Accreditation. 
  • Have a current Job Check for the position being offered.
  • Pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage ($23.50 per hour from 1 April 2025) and ensure wages align with the market rate for the role.
  • Provide evidence that the AEWV holder meets skills/qualification requirements set out in the Job Check application (if applicable).  

Quick Info for AEWV holders

AEWV conditions can only be changed to allow holders to work for an accredited employer.  

You’ll need: 

  • A copy of your passport. 
  • An offer of employment. 
  • Your employment agreement and job description. 
  • The Job Check approval number from your new employer. 
  • If your new employer is not accredited but still legally able to employ you, you’ll need to include an employer supplementary form (INZ 1113) completed by your new employer.
  • If applicable, a letter confirming the length of your notice period at your existing job. 

FAQs for Changing Visa Conditions  

Variation of Conditions (also known as VoC) is a way to change the conditions of a visa without the need to apply for a whole new visa.

Use the Job Change process if you hold a work visa. You can apply to change your role, your employer, your location of work, and how long you can study for while you work. You can change one condition or a combination with one application.

The Job Change is a special variation process that’s just for the employment-related conditions of a visa.

Processing times will vary depending on the volume of applications. To get a more accurate estimate you can enter your requirements into the INZ tool.

Changing the conditions of your visa will not impact the length of your visa. It will still expire on the same date.

The fee to submit a Job Change application is $210. This is the Immigration NZ fee only and does not include professional fees.

It’s very important that your circumstances match what’s outlined in your visa. If you keep your visa but don’t update its conditions when things change, you could be in breach of your visa conditions. This can have serious consequences and can impact your legal status as well as future visa applications.

You can change your employer on an AEWV, but you will need to follow the Job Change application process or apply for a new AEWV.

You can change many of the conditions of your NZ visa, but the new conditions must align with the reason your visa was originally granted.

Yes. The employer must have an available Job Check for the position and the visa holder must be able to meet the criteria provided in the job check.

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