Information requests for pending AEWV applications

Since the opening of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program in July of 2022, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received an overwhelming number of applications in this category. The AEWV program aims to provide employers in New Zealand with a streamlined process for hiring overseas workers who have the skills and experience that are in demand in the country.
 
As of the latest statistics, INZ has received over 23,700 Employer Accreditation applications with more than 23,000 of them already approved. Meanwhile, the agency has also received more than 34,000 Job check applications, with nearly 32,500 approved so far. On average, INZ has been able to make a decision on these applications within five weekdays.
 
More than 67,000 applications for AEWV have been received and over 58,000 approved. Despite their best efforts, INZ has been unable to keep up with the influx of applications, and the current processing time for decided AEWV applications now stands at 18 working days. INZ aims to process straightforward AEWV applications within 20 working days; however, they have not been able to progress some applications due to incomplete information.
 
In light of this, INZ has decided to contact applicants whose applications are pending due to lack of information. They are requesting the applicants to provide all required information within 10 working days so that they can proceed with processing their application. Failure to provide the necessary information or response within this timeframe may have an adverse impact on the application. 
 
For onshore AEWV applicants, INZ will send a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letter to present them with an initial assessment of their application and provide them with an opportunity to respond before we make a final decision.

For offshore AEWV applicants, INZ will progress the application as is for assessment, and it is likely the application will be declined due to not meeting immigration instructions.

INZ will start contacting applicants over the coming weeks.
 
Reusing Job tokens for declined applications
 
If INZ declines an AEWV application, the job token (unique link) that was used by that applicant will be returned to the employer’s dashboard after the 14-day reconsideration period and will be able to be reused, provided the job check is still valid and it has not been six months since the job check was approved.