Becoming an Accredited Employer in New Zealand is a critical requirement for businesses that wish to legally hire skilled migrant workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has implemented strict eligibility, compliance, and monitoring standards, making it essential for employers to follow a structured, well-documented approach.
In this comprehensive guide, we explain how to become an Accredited Employer in NZ, covering eligibility requirements, accreditation types, documents, costs, timelines, employer obligations, and proven strategies to ensure approval. This guide is designed to outperform Immigration NZ overview pages by providing deeper clarity, practical insights, and compliance-focused guidance.
An Accredited Employer is a New Zealand business that has been approved by Immigration New Zealand to employ migrant workers on AEWV visas. Accreditation confirms that the employer:
Is a genuine and financially viable business
Meets New Zealand employment and immigration laws
Has systems in place to support and protect migrant workers
Without employer accreditation, businesses cannot hire migrants under AEWV, regardless of skill shortages.
We consistently advise employers that accreditation is not merely a visa requirement, it is a long-term workforce strategy.
Key benefits include:
Legal authority to hire migrant workers
Faster and smoother visa processing
Increased trust and credibility with INZ
Improved HR, recruitment, and compliance systems
Greater workforce stability and planning certainty
Immigration New Zealand offers three accreditation types, depending on business size and hiring needs.
This is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
Allows hiring of up to 5 migrant workers
Lower compliance threshold
Ideal for SMEs, startups, and growing companies
Designed for larger employers.
Required if hiring 6 or more migrant workers
Higher scrutiny of HR, payroll, and workforce systems
Strong compliance history expected
Applicable to franchise businesses.
Requires proof of franchise agreements
Additional compliance checks
Individual franchise units must apply separately
To qualify, we must demonstrate that the business is genuine and operational:
Active NZBN registration
GST registration (if applicable)
Financial statements showing sustainability
Evidence of ongoing business activity
Immigration NZ expects employers to have robust systems, including:
Compliant employment agreements
Lawful recruitment practices
Health and safety policies
Payroll and wage compliance
Clear grievance and dispute resolution processes
Employers must show:
No history of migrant exploitation
Compliance with employment law
No serious immigration or labour breaches
A strong application relies on clear, well-structured documentation, including:
Business registration and ownership details
Financial statements or bank records
Employment agreements compliant with NZ law
HR and recruitment policies
Health & safety documentation
Declarations and INZ forms
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is a leading cause of delays and refusals.
Read more: Accredited Employer NZ: How to Secure Employment with Recognized Companies
We recommend conducting a compliance audit to ensure:
HR policies meet legal standards
Employment agreements are updated
Payroll systems meet minimum wage obligations
Employers must:
Register via RealMe
Access Immigration Online
Set up an employer profile correctly
At this stage, we:
Select the correct accreditation type
Upload all required documents
Pay the applicable INZ fee
Accuracy here is critical to avoid unnecessary delays.
INZ may:
Request additional documents
Verify business information
Assess compliance history
Conduct interviews or checks (in some cases)
Once approved:
Accreditation is typically valid for 12 months
Conditions apply and must be followed strictly
Employers can proceed to Job Check and visa support
Fees (Indicative)
Standard Accreditation: NZD $740
High-Volume Accreditation: NZD $1,220
Franchisee Accreditation: NZD $740
Processing Time
Average: 10–30 working days
May vary depending on application quality and INZ workload
Accreditation comes with ongoing responsibilities, including:
Maintaining lawful employment conditions
Supporting migrant worker settlement
Keeping accurate employment records
Reporting business or role changes to INZ
Ensuring continued compliance with wage thresholds
Failure to meet obligations can lead to suspension or revocation.
After accreditation approval, employers must:
Complete a Job Check
Offer compliant job roles
Support migrant workers in AEWV applications
Each step is assessed separately by INZ.
Choosing the wrong accreditation type
Submitting weak or outdated HR policies
Non-compliant employment agreements
Underestimating post-approval obligations
Ignoring INZ follow-up requests
Professional guidance significantly reduces these risks.
Yes. Accreditation may be:
Declined due to insufficient evidence or compliance concerns
Revoked due to exploitation, false declarations, or breaches
Re-application is possible, but only after addressing INZ concerns.
At Immigration Chambers we provide end-to-end accredited employer support, including:
Eligibility assessment
HR and compliance audits
Document preparation
Application submission and INZ liaison
Ongoing compliance guidance
Our structured approach significantly improves approval success rates. Book a consultation with our Licensed Immigration Lawyer in New Zealand today and take the first step toward becoming an accredited employer in NZ.
Any genuine, compliant NZ business meeting INZ requirements.
Yes, for AEWV roles.
Usually 12 months, with renewal required.
Yes, under Standard Accreditation.
Becoming an Accredited Employer in New Zealand is a strategic investment in workforce growth and compliance. When done correctly, it enables businesses to attract global talent while meeting all legal obligations. With proper preparation and expert support, accreditation becomes a clear, achievable process rather than a compliance risk.
Ensure accuracy, compliance, and faster approvals with professional guidance tailored to your business.