by Quick answer: Most visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand use the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). You need a full-time job offer of at least 30 hours a week from an accredited employer, and the employer needs an approved job check. The visa fee starts from NZD 1,540 (one thousand, five hundred and forty New Zealand dollars), and Immigration New Zealand says 80% of applications are decided within 5.5 weeks.
This guide explains how visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand work, who qualifies and what it costs.
Last verified: 4 October 2026 against Immigration New Zealand.
How visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand work
In New Zealand, the employer does not “sponsor” you in the UK sense. Instead, the employer must first be accredited and then get a job check approved for the role. Only after that can you apply for the AEWV with their job offer.
Requirements for visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand
- A full-time job offer, at least 30 hours a week, from an accredited employer.
- An approved job check for that role.
- Pay that meets the minimum rate for the job.
- Either at least 2 years of relevant work experience or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
- Proof of English if your job is at skill level 3, 4 or 5.
How long you can stay
For most jobs at skill levels 1 to 3, the AEWV can last up to 5 years. For jobs at skill levels 4 and 5, it lasts up to 3 years. If your visa is shorter than the maximum, you can apply for another AEWV before it ends.
Visa costs for sponsorship jobs in New Zealand
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | From NZD 1,540 |
| Processing | 80% decided within 5.5 weeks |
Can you bring your family?
You cannot include your partner or children in your own AEWV application. However, you may be able to support their visas separately: a visitor or work visa for your partner, and visitor or student visas for your children. Whether you can depends on your pay and the skill level of your job.
Visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand for Filipinos, Nigerians and Pakistanis
The AEWV rules are the same for every nationality. So the key check is the employer: ask whether it is accredited and whether the job check is approved before you accept an offer. Because only accredited employers can hire through the AEWV, an offer from an employer that is not accredited will not get you this visa.
Frequently asked questions
Does the AEWV lead to residence?
It can. Immigration New Zealand says eligible AEWV holders may move on to a resident visa.
How much does the New Zealand work visa cost?
The AEWV fee starts from NZD 1,540.
Do I need a job offer?
Yes. In fact, the AEWV is only for people with a job offer from an accredited employer. For other countries, compare visa sponsorship jobs in Canada and UK visa sponsorship jobs.
Official source
This is general information, not immigration advice. Check Immigration New Zealand before you apply.
