The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a new temporary work visa that will replace the Essential Skills Work Visa and Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa, when it launches on 4 July 2022. Employers who want to hire migrants on an AEWV will need to be accredited and submit a job check for relevant roles before they can hire a migrant. On 3 February 2022, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s plan for reconnecting New Zealand to the world. As part of Step 4, the new Accredited Employer Work Visa will open in July to applications from migrants both in New Zealand and in other countries. The Prime Minister also announced that, as part of planned Immigration Rebalance changes, a new minimum pay threshold, set at the median wage, will be introduced for the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Decisions to come
The Government is considering whether there will be any exemptions to the median wage rule and whether additional restrictions should apply for a limited number of roles. More information will be provided when it is available.