Introduction
Renewing employer accreditation is essential to continue hiring migrant workers in New Zealand under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program.
In this document, you will find
- When to Renew Employer Accreditation
- What happens if you don’t renew your Employer Accreditation
- How to Renew Employer Accreditation
- Document required for Renewal
When to Renew Employer Accreditation
Your first accreditation is valid for 12 months. To avoid expiration, you must renew it before the end of this period. If you fail to do so, it will automatically expire. When renewing, you also have the option to change your accreditation type, such as switching from high-volume to standard accreditation.
- Standard and high-volume accreditations: Valid for 24 months upon renewal.
- Franchisee or controlling third-party accreditations: Valid for 12 months.
- Expired accreditation: If your accreditation expired over 12 months ago, the renewed accreditation will be valid for 12 months.
Who Needs to Renew Their Accreditation
You should renew your accreditation if you intend to:
- Hire new workers under the AEWV program.
- Change accreditation types (e.g., from high-volume to standard).
- Support AEWV holders with further visa applications or help them apply for AEWV balance (also known as maximum continuous stay).
- Assist workers in applying for visas requiring employer accreditation, such as Work to Residence or Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visas.
You do not need to renew if you no longer plan to hire new migrants or support existing AEWV holders with additional visa applications.
What Happens if You Don’t Renew
If your accreditation expires:
- You cannot hire new workers or support existing migrant workers with new visa applications.
- You can continue employing migrants with valid visas, but you won’t be able to support their future applications.
- Any available Job Check tokens will expire along with your accreditation.
- You can still access your employer dashboard on Immigration Online but cannot submit new Job Check applications.
How to Renew Your Accreditation
To renew your employer accreditation:
- Log in to Immigration Online.
- Select the ‘Employ Migrants‘ tab.
- Go to ‘My accredited organisations‘ and click ‘View organisation‘.
- Select ‘Renew accreditation‘ to begin your application.
Ensure that you upload all required supporting documents to expedite the application process, and be prepared to pay the necessary fee.
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Paying for AEWV Accreditation and Job Checks
- Make sure you’re applying for the correct accreditation type to avoid additional fees. Incorrect applications require re-submission and do not qualify for refunds.
- Your accreditation will be renewed from the date your application is approved, not the submission date.
Timeframes for Renewal
- Allow at least six weeks for processing your renewal application.
- Visit the Immigration New Zealand website for current processing times.
Interim Employer Accreditation
If your accreditation expires while your renewal application is still in progress, you may qualify for a three-month interim accreditation.
To qualify:
- You must submit your application before your current accreditation expires.
- You must apply for the correct type of accreditation for your business.
An interim accreditation allows you to:
- Submit a new Job Check.
- Use existing job tokens for AEWV applications.
Supporting Documents for Accreditation Renewal
To streamline the application process, provide supporting documents such as:
- Financial records proving your business is viable and genuinely operating (e.g., GST or PAYE records).
- Evidence of employee support, such as Employment New Zealand module completion certificates.
- Onboarding policies and any settlement support you’ve provided to AEWV employees within one month of their start date.
Additional Requirements for Businesses
If your business has less than five people involved in recruitment decisions, you must provide employer module completion certificates for all decision-makers. Larger businesses should submit certificates for at least five recruitment personnel.
Employer Obligations for AEWV Employees
You are responsible for ensuring your AEWV employees complete Employment New Zealand’s employee modules. If you haven’t met this requirement during your previous accreditation period, you’ll need to explain the reason and outline policies to ensure compliance in the future.
Responding to Information Requests
Immigration New Zealand may request additional information during your application process. Be prepared to upload documents promptly, adhering to file size limits (max 10 MB per file).
If you encounter challenges uploading documents, consider reducing file size or splitting larger documents.
Reference – https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
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FAQs
When do I need to renew my employer accreditation?
You should renew your employer accreditation before it expires, usually after 12 months. To avoid problems, start the renewal process at least six weeks before the expiry date.
Can I change my accreditation type when I renew?
Yes, you can change your accreditation type during the renewal process. If your business needs change, you can switch from high-volume to standard accreditation.
What happens if my accreditation expires?
If your accreditation expires, you can’t hire new migrant workers or help your current workers with new visa applications. However, you can keep employing any migrants already working for you until their visas expire.
How long does the renewed accreditation last?
- Standard or high-volume accreditations last for 24 months.
- Franchisee or controlling third-party accreditations last for 12 months.
- If your accreditation expires for more than 12 months, the renewal will be valid for 12 months.
What documents do I need to provide when renewing my accreditation?
5. What documents do I need to provide when renewing my accreditation? You need to provide documents that show your business is operating properly. This includes tax records, proof that your employees completed the Employment New Zealand training, and any support you’ve given to migrant workers to help them settle in New Zealand.
Can I keep my current migrant workers if my accreditation expires?
Yes, you can keep your current workers until their visas expire. However, you won’t be able to help them apply for new visas unless you renew your accreditation.
What is an interim accreditation, and how do I get one?
An interim accreditation is a temporary, 3-month extension while your renewal application is being processed. You’ll get one automatically if you apply for renewal before your accreditation expires and if you apply for the right accreditation type for your business.
Can I apply for an interim accreditation?
No, you can’t apply for interim accreditation directly. If you meet the conditions, it will be given to you automatically when your current accreditation expires.
