If you are already accredited, from 1 November 2021 your current accreditation will no longer be valid. You will need to become accredited under the new Accredited Employer System to continue to employ migrants. Applications for this will open late September.

Key Dates

Types of new Employer Accreditation

Standard Accreditation – Most employers will fall under this category. It is for employers who will be employing 5 migrants or less. Must be a genuinely operating business, including being registered with IRD and hold a NZ Business Number (NZBN) have a good history of compliance with Immigration and employment standards. It will be a more streamlined process to the High Volume Accreditation.

The Initial accreditation (first application) under Standard will be issued for 12 months. Subsequent accreditation 24 months.

High Volume Accreditation – Employers hiring 6 or more migrants will need to apply for High Volume Accreditation. This requires the employer to meet requirements of standard accreditation as well as showing a commitment to improving pay and conditions for all employees over time.

Initial accreditation under High Volume will be 12 months. Subsequent accreditation 24 months.

Triangular Employers (Franchise/Labour Hire company) – Must meet both Standard and High Volume requirements as well as only place migrants with a compliant business, have good systems in place to monitor employment and safety conditions along with a history of contracting labour for the past 12 months.

Initial accreditation for Triangular Employers will be 12 months. Subsequent accreditations 12 months.

Note: Number of employed migrants does not include people hired on student, working holiday or open work visas. It is only those on employer assisted work visas.

Time Frames

Immigration NZ is predicting that Standard Accreditation applications will be processed in around 1 month. High Volume and Triangular Accreditation will likely take a little longer.

What is the process for the employer and migrant?

Step 1 – Employer check: Once you hold your accreditation under the new system you meet the employer check requirements.

Step 2 – Job Check: Employer must hold accreditation. Immigration will review offer to ensure meets employment standards and is paid the market rate for the role. There must be no suitable New Zealander available for the role, this will be determined by various factors such as the role, location (city or regions), payrate (above or below median wage), shortage lists and sector agreements.

Step 3 – Migrant Check: Step 1 and 2 must be met. The employer must request the migrant to apply. The role offered must be the same as the job check. Immigration will then determine if the person is suitably qualified for the role through qualification and/or work experience. The migrant must also meet all health, character, and bona fide requirements.

Median wage increase is coming

The current median wage is $25.50. Immigration is planning to raise this later in the year. We are waiting for official confirmation when this will come into effect.

Length of visa

The new Accredited Employer Work Visa will be issued for either 12 months or 3 years. The length of the visa depends on the payrate, location and if the position is considered skilled.

Does the new Accredited Employer work visa give a worker a pathway to gain residence in New Zealand?
Those earning twice the median wage currently $51 an hour or $106,080 annually will be eligible to apply for residence after hold the Accredited Employer work visa for 2 years.

The skilled migrant category may still be a possibility for a worker if they are not earning twice the median wage. Government is still working on this aspect!

Woburn International can help at all stages of the new visa application system. We will be releasing further updates about the process as more information comes through from Immigration New Zealand.

If you wish to discuss the changes or require help preparing for the new changes, please contact us. Contact the Woburn International office on 04 569 4861 or email services@woburn.co.nz. Or contact CEO, June Ranson directly on 04 569 4975 or 021 422 095.