About the Visa
Accreditation Employer Work Visa(AEWV), started in July 2022, is the most used Visa for Skilled Work Visa.
As of 13 August 2024, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has approved 124,974 AEWV applications, including 31,689 accredited employers and 84,676 AEWV holders.
Knowing how long you can stay with AEWV is essential when applying for it. Your ” maximum continuous stay ” is the length of time you can stay in New Zealand on one or more Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV). This duration varies based on your role, pay, and the date you applied for your first AEWV.
What is a Maximum Continuous Stay?
Your maximum continuous stay refers to the total time you can remain in New Zealand on one or more AEWVs. You can apply for another AEWV before your visa expires, allowing you to stay in New Zealand until your maximum continuous stay ends.
Reaching Your AEWV Balance
After the end of your maximum continuous stay, you must leave New Zealand for a specified period—usually 12 months—before you can apply for another AEWV.
Duration of Stay
The length of time you can stay on an AEWV can be up to 5 years, depending on:
- Your pay rate.
- The ANZSCO level of your job.
- The date you first applied for an AEWV.
Wage Rate Requirements
Your maximum continuous stay may be less than 5 years if:
- You are paid less than the, NZD 29.66/hour February 2023 median wage.
- Your role is ANZSCO level 4 or 5.
Extending Your Maximum Continuous Stay
Suppose your AEWV initially allows for a maximum continuous stay of less than 5 years. In that case, you might be able to extend it to 5 years by:
- Moving to an ANZSCO level 1 to 3 job.
- Taking a job on the Green List.
- Accepting a role that pays at least 1.5 times the median wage.
Suppose you have already left New Zealand after reaching your maximum continuous stay. In that case, you may be eligible to return earlier if offered a higher-skilled role with a 5-year maximum continuous stay.
Time Required Outside New Zealand
After the end of your maximum continuous stay, the required time outside New Zealand is:
- 12 months if you were paid at or above the February 2023 median wage rate or were in a role other than meat and seafood processing.
- 4 months if you are in meat or seafood processing role and paid below the February 2023 median wage rate.
Ready to Begin Your Kiwi Journey?
20+
Years of Expertise
300+
Google Reviews
Flat Fee
& Transparent Pricing
Determining Your Maximum Continuous Stay and Time Outside New Zealand
Check the tables below to understand the length of your maximum continuous stay and the required time outside New Zealand based on your application date:
| Role | Maximum Visa Length | Maximum Continuous Stay | Time Outside NZ |
| Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate, ANZSCO level 1 to 3 | 5 years | 5 years | 12 months |
| Roles on the Green List paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate | 5 years | 5 years | 12 months |
| Deck Hands (ANZSCO 899211) paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate | 5 years | 5 years | 12 months |
| Roles paid at least 1.5 times the February 2024 median wage rate (NZD $47.41 per hour) | 5 years | 5 years | 12 months |
| Roles at ANZSCO level 4 or 5, paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate | 2 years | 3 years | 12 months |
| Care workforce roles paid NZD $28.25 per hour or above | 3 years | 5 years | 12 months |
| Care workforce roles paid below NZD $28.25 per hour | 3 years | 3 years | 12 months |
| Construction and infrastructure roles paid below the February 2023 median wage | 2 years | 2 years | 12 months |
| Bus drivers paid at least NZD $28 per hour | 2 years | 3 years | 12 months |
| Seasonal snow and adventure tourism roles paid below the February 2023 median wage | 7 months | 3 years | 12 months |
| Tourism and hospitality roles paid below the February 2023 median wage | 2 years | 2 years | 12 months |
| Meat processing roles paid below the February 2023 median wage | 7 months | 7 months | 4 months |
| Seafood processing roles paid below the February 2023 median wage | 7 months | 7 months | 4 months |
Calculating Time for Maximum Continuous Stay
Your maximum continuous stay is calculated from:
- The date your first AEWV was issued.
- The date you arrived in New Zealand on an AEWV if it was issued while you were outside the country.
Any time spent on an AEWV, including one paid below the median wage, counts towards your maximum continuous stay unless you have already completed the required time outside New Zealand. Time spent on other temporary visas or work visas like post-post-study work visas, partnership-based visas, working holiday visas, or Interim Visas does not count towards your maximum continuous stay.
Care Workforce Roles Paid Below the February 2023 Median Wage
For those in the care workforce sector paid at or above NZD 26.16 per hour, the AEWV is valid for 3 years. This period allows enough time to complete a Level 4 qualification and move to a higher pay rate, providing a pathway to residence. If you progress to NZD 28.25 per hour, you can apply for a further AEWV to extend your maximum continuous stay to 5 years.
For workers already paid NZD 28.25 per hour, the 3-year AEWV provides the necessary time to apply for residence after completing the required 2 years of work experience at this pay rate.
Applying for Your AEWV Balance
If you have remaining time on your maximum continuous stay, you may apply for the balance of your visa. However, your current AEWV will not automatically extend to the longer duration.
Client Testimonials
“I would like to thank ICL Immigration from the bottom of my heart for helping me with my essential skills work visa. Immigration NZ had many questions and keep finding problems with my employment offer and say that my job is not a mid-skilled one. Somehow, Nirmala Murthy and ICL immigration get me the 3-year essential skilled work visa that I needed. Very supportive, helpful and available - I will trust them with anything and recommend them to everyone who need any help with a visa or immigration matter.”
“Nirmala and her team worked very hard to get my work visa and her knowledge of the immigration system is very valuable when applying. I felt she worked very hard as my application required a fast turnaround and she would get back to me as soon as she could if I had any questions. Would use her services again.”
"I'd like to thank ICL Immigration from the bottom of my heart for helping me with my work visa. I will trust ICL with all my future visas and recommend them to everyone who needs any help with a visa or other immigration matters"
“I would highly recommend this place for anyone who is looking for professional service and excellent results”
"I would very much recommend Nirmala, ICL Consultancies because of the highly professional working attitude and the friendly atmosphere. She made sure to keep in touch with us every step of the way, and it was great working with her. Keep up the good work, all the best."
“It was great to work with ICL for my residency application process, Nirmala has been very helpful through the process, proper guidance, proper documentation and recommendation letter write up, flexible appointments after working hours even, answering queries even on weekends, it's motherly care! I believe all these are possible from her many years of experience and of course attitude and passion. Quality service in less expensive if we can compare the market. I would recommend anyone to go with ICL.”
“Getting the visa and the right course in New Zealand was not easy. Nirmala from ICL Immigration helped a lot. She made difficult things simple for me. Very thankful for her help and advice, always there to support me. 5 Stars.”
“Very glad I chose ICL to help me with my student admission. Many things I was unsure about but they understood my goal of coming to NZ and patiently answered all my questions. They guided me to choose the best course. I am very happy - you should contact them if you want to study in NZ.”
"I was very stressed about all the visa stuff and finding the right course to study in New Zealand, but Nirmala from ICL Immigration made it all easy. She answered all my questions and I am very happy I found them. Thanks ICL Team!"
Success Stories
Let’s Start Your Success Story
Simply fill up a quick form, which will help us contact you and schedule your first consultation, free of charge.
