Processing AEWV applications in an efficient and timely manner continues to be a top priority for Immigration New Zealand.

We are committed to improving visa processing times, as we know how important this is to all our customers.

We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to be as efficient as possible in our approach to the AEWV. We have been working hard to make more timely visa decisions. We have reduced the number of applications in progress, and have been making more visa decisions. We decided 73% more Accredited Employer Work Visa applications, 57% more job check application and 25% more employer accreditation applications in October than September.

We know there is more work to be done and our current focus is how we can use our people and processes to make efficiencies in the system.

That is why we have made some deliberate changes to group like applications together. We allocate these to a specific team to assess them at the same time — such as where there are large groups of applications from the same sector or location, or the applicants are in similar situations.

This means more applications across each stage of the AEWV scheme can continue to be assessed, and enables us to make more timely visa decisions.

Allocation priorities for the week 25 November 2024

Applications for the following specific groups are being allocated to dedicated teams for efficient processing. The groups will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

All other applications not specified below will be allocated to teams for processing in oldest to newest.

Employer Accreditation

• Employer accreditation applications where the employer’s interim accreditation is expiring within 6 weeks.
• Applications to renew accreditation where no concerns have been identified during the period of accreditation.

Job Check

• Job Check applications for Green list, ANZSCO skill level 1 roles and applications made in the last 20 days.
• Job check applications for skill level 4 and 5.
• Job Check applications for ANZSCO skill level 2 hospitality roles.
• Job Check applications where employer accreditation is due to expire in the next 6 weeks.
  • Job Check applications where employer accreditation has expired will be given 5 days to submit an application to renew their accreditation. If a renewal application is not received, any Job Check applications in progress may be declined.
• Job check applications for Meat Sector agreement roles.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

• Applications to extend a work visa up to the maximum period allowed for Green list and skill level 4 and 5 roles.
• Applications where there are 10 or more applications for one employer will be grouped for assessment.

AEWV applications are being allocated from oldest to newest when they are ready for assessment.

When your application is ready for assessment you will see ‘Under Assessment’ on your immigration online portal.

Checking your visa application status

While the below groups won’t be allocated to a dedicated team, we will continue to monitor and prioritise applications for:

• Employer accreditation that has expired, or is due to expire in the next 6 weeks
• Visa holders in New Zealand currently holding an interim visa with no work rights are moving off a visa where they had open work rights
• Green list or Meat Sector agreement roles.

Even if your application is allocated first it does not necessarily mean it will be decided in that order. The quality and completeness of any application has a direct impact on how long it takes for the application to be decided.

You can check the visa requirements for the AEWV on the AEWV visa information page.

Include all the relevant information

Applications that include all the required information are able to be assessed faster.

Incomplete applications are still significantly impacting current processing times. We may assess your application based on the information provided without seeking further information. Incomplete applications may be declined. Make sure you include all the information we need, including Police certificates and English language test results.

If you are applying from overseas, we will only request further information where there is more than 1 month remaining on the job token validity or employer accreditation.

You can check the visa requirements for the AEWV on the AEWV visa information page.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

Our Employer section has information about the requirements to gain accreditation for the AEWV and requirements for Job Checks.

Accreditation for the AEWV

Apply for AEWV accreditation

Financial evidence for your accreditation application

How to apply for a Job Check

Renew your employer accreditation

We also have information on the latest wait times for AEWVs and other AEWV statistics here:

Work visa and employer accreditation wait times

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) key information and statistics

Other reminders to help with faster visa processing

• If you need to request an extension, do so as early as possible. A request for an extension will only be granted where there are reasonable and compelling circumstances.
• Respond to requests for information or concerns raised within the timeframe provided. Your application may be declined if you do not respond in time.
• Make sure you hold a valid employer accreditation. You will need valid accreditation if you have Job Check or work visa applications currently in progress, want to apply for more job tokens, employ new workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), support an AEWV holder to apply to extend the length of their AEWV up to the maximum period allowed or support a migrant worker to apply for a different visa that requires you to be accredited, such as a Work to Residence or Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.