How to become an accredited employer

Want to employ migrants from overseas? We can guide you through the whole process

Employers in New Zealand who wish to employ skilled migrants must become an Accredited Employer. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the new process for hiring skilled migrant workers. 

Employing skilled migrants involves three steps: 

• becoming an accredited employer 
• applying for a job check
• offering employment to a migrant worker who can apply for the AEWV.

The AEWV is designed to ensure that New Zealanders are given priority for jobs, but employers who have genuine skill or labour shortages can hire skilled migrant workers. The accreditation process aims to ensure that only registered employers who meet Immigration New Zealand’s job check criteria can hire skilled migrant workers.

There are three levels of accreditation for employers: 

• Standard Accreditation for those who hire between 1 and 5 migrant workers in a year. 
• High-Volume Accreditation for those who hire 6 or more migrant workers in a year.
• Labour Hire Employer Accreditation and Franchises for labour hire companies or employers who have limited control over cost pressures. 

Most employers will require standard accreditation, which lasts for 12 months, with a 24-month renewal period.

All employers wanting to hire migrants on AEWVs must meet the following minimum accreditation criteria:

• having a business IRD number and a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) 
• not being on a non-compliant stand-down list 
• complying with any relevant industry or regulatory standards 
• no history of non-compliance in their dealings with Immigration New Zealand
• being in a financially sustainable position.

To become an accredited employer, employers must demonstrate that they are in good financial standing and have good workplace practices. This includes health and safety practices, employee well-being, training, and career progression.

Once accredited, employers then request job checks. 

Once you become an accredited employer, you’ll need to go through job checks. This is an important step to ensure that no New Zealanders are available to do the job and that the terms of employment are valid, such as pay rates, hours per week, or minimum competency requirements. A new job check application is required for each position an employer wishes to hire a migrant for.

To start the job check process, employers must advertise the job for a minimum of two weeks on a recognised national employment website. The wording of the advertisement must not deter New Zealanders from applying, and the job needs to be registered. A fee of $610 is also required.

Our immigration lawyers can manage all the details throughout the entire process. We’ll ensure that your job advertisement is worded correctly and meets all the requirements. 

At IDESI LEGAL, we can guide you through becoming an accredited employer, including the job check process, and ensure that you’re fully compliant with all requirements.

Once the job check is approved, migrant workers can apply for a work visa 

Immigration New Zealand will check to see if the migrant worker meets all requirements of the new work visa, including skills and experience for the job, character, and health. Only once the worker’s visa is approved can they be hired.

Becoming an Accredited Employer is essential for any New Zealand employer who wishes to employ skilled migrant workers. 

At IDESI LEGAL, we understand that hiring migrants from overseas can be a great way to bring new skills and perspectives to your company. However, we also know that applying for new work visas can be complicated and overwhelming. The process involves meeting minimum accreditation criteria, submitting to several rounds of checks, and requesting job checks to meet staffing requirements. 

That’s why we’re here to help.

Our team of immigration lawyers has the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the entire process of becoming an Accredited Employer. We’ll work with you every step of the way to ensure that your company complies with INZ regulations, so your new staff can start working for you as soon as possible.

If you can’t make it to our Wellington office to see us personally, we can connect with you online and work with you using video calls. Call us on 04 461 6018 to set up a meeting. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the guidance and support you need to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible and successfully welcome migrant staff to your business.

Support for employing migrants in New Zealand

Talk to one of our experienced immigration lawyers about pathways to employing migrants in New Zealand. IDESI LEGAL has successfully represented NZ migrants and employers through all types of visa application processes and the IDESI LEGAL team will be able to help.