Quick Answer: The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) underwent significant reform in 2025. The most notable changes: the median wage requirement was removed from March 2025, work experience requirements were reduced from three years to two years post-qualification, and job check requirements were simplified. These changes affect both current AEWV holders and new applicants planning their pathway to New Zealand residence.

Background: What Is the AEWV?

The Accredited Employer Work Visa, introduced in July 2022, replaced several previous work visa categories. It is New Zealand’s primary employer-supported work visa — requiring the employer to be accredited with Immigration New Zealand and the role to pass a job check confirming the position meets minimum standards. Full details of the current AEWV settings are on the Immigration New Zealand website.

The visa is tied to a specific employer and role. Holders can stay for up to three years (or five years in some cases), and the AEWV is the most common stepping stone toward Skilled Migrant Category residence for skilled migrants.

Change 1: Median Wage Requirement Removed (March 2025)

Previously, most AEWV roles were required to meet or exceed the median wage — set at NZD $29.66 per hour as of early 2025. This requirement was removed from March 2025 for the majority of roles.

What this means in practice: employers can now offer roles at wage rates below the previous median wage threshold and still have their AEWV application accepted, provided the role meets the applicable minimum employment standards and any relevant industry-specific thresholds.

The removal of the median wage requirement has been welcomed by employers in sectors such as hospitality, retail, aged care, and construction who previously struggled to meet the threshold for entry-level or emerging skilled roles.

Important caveat: Some roles continue to have specific wage requirements — particularly in sectors where industry accreditation conditions or employment agreements set minimum rates. The removal of the median wage floor does not mean there is no minimum applicable to a given role.

Change 2: Work Experience Requirement Reduced to Two Years

The previous requirement that AEWV applicants demonstrate at least three years of relevant work experience post-qualification was reduced to two years in 2025. This change applies to the applicant’s own experience requirement, not to the employer accreditation conditions.

For skilled migrants who completed their qualification and worked in their field for two years before applying for a NZ role, this change brings forward their eligibility for a supported work visa — without requiring a further year of experience accumulation.

Change 3: Job Check Simplification

The job check — the process by which an employer verifies the position meets AEWV standards before hiring an overseas worker — was simplified in 2025. The specific documentation and advertising requirements were reduced for certain role categories, streamlining the employer process and reducing the lead time between identifying an overseas candidate and obtaining visa approval.

The simplification is most significant for employers hiring in occupations on the Green List, where the job check requirements are more straightforward than for standard roles.

How the 2025 AEWV Changes Interact With the August 2026 SMC Reforms

The AEWV is not a residence visa — it is a temporary work visa that enables migrants to accumulate the NZ work experience required for the Skilled Migrant Category. The August 2026 SMC reforms, which introduce two new residence pathways, interact with the AEWV in several ways:

• AEWV holders in trades and technician occupations may now have a clearer and faster residence pathway via the new Trades and Technician SMC Pathway, which requires only 1.5 years of NZ work experience rather than two years
• AEWV holders in red list occupations face a harder residence pathway — NZ work experience in a red list role does not contribute to the SMC points threshold under the new Skilled Work Experience Pathway
• A planned AEWV extension provision is being developed for holders who are still completing their SMC work experience requirement at the time of the August 2026 changes

What Current AEWV Holders Should Check

If you currently hold an AEWV, it is worth reviewing your situation in light of the 2025 changes:

• Whether your current role continues to meet AEWV conditions following the wage threshold changes
• Whether your employer’s accreditation remains current — employer accreditation must be renewed and has its own compliance conditions
• Whether the August 2026 SMC changes affect your planned residence timeline — particularly if your occupation may appear on the red or amber lists
• Whether a change of employer or role is appropriate to optimise your residence pathway under the new settings

Agile Legal’s immigration law team can review your current AEWV conditions and advise on the most strategic approach to your residence pathway in light of the 2025 and 2026 changes.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. If you require legal assistance, please contact Agile Legal for a confidential consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the removal of the median wage requirement mean any salary is acceptable for an AEWV role?

Not quite. The median wage floor has been removed for most roles, but employers must still pay at least the NZ minimum wage. For roles in regulated industries or covered by collective agreements, industry-specific minimum rates continue to apply. The change removes the AEWV-specific median wage threshold — it does not override other employment law obligations.

If I am currently on an AEWV, do I need to do anything following the 2025 changes?

Existing AEWV holders are not automatically required to take any action in response to the 2025 changes — your current visa conditions remain in force until the visa expires or you apply for a new one. However, if you are planning to change employers, extend your visa, or begin your SMC pathway, the new settings will apply to those new applications. A review of your overall plan in light of the changes is worthwhile.

Can my employer change my role or salary without affecting my AEWV?

Changes to the role or salary that fall outside the conditions of the original job check approval may require a new job check and a new AEWV application. The specific threshold for what constitutes a material change requiring a new application has been clarified in the 2025 reforms but remains complex. If your employer is proposing changes to your role, seek legal advice before agreeing to ensure your visa status is not inadvertently affected.