For Employers
Hiring migrant workers in New Zealand.
Skilled migrants can fill critical gaps in your workforce. Head Start Visas guides New Zealand employers through every step — from accreditation to job checks to supporting your employee's visa application.
Employer Obligations
What you need to know as an employer.
Accredited employers have obligations to their migrant employees that go beyond standard employment law. Immigration New Zealand conducts employer checks and failure to comply can result in accreditation being revoked.
Pay at least the median wage
Or a role-specific threshold if one applies. You must not pay migrant workers less than NZ resident workers in comparable roles.
Provide employment agreement
A written employment agreement meeting NZ employment standards must be provided before the worker's AEWV is approved.
Provide settlement support
Accredited employers must provide or connect new migrant employees with settlement information within their first month.
Cooperate with INZ monitoring
Immigration New Zealand may contact your business to verify compliance. Accredited employers must cooperate fully.
The three-step AEWV process
From accreditation to your employee starting work.
Get Accredited
Apply for Employer Accreditation with INZ. Standard or high-volume depending on your hiring plans.
Job Check
Apply for a Job Check for the specific role. Includes labour market test for most positions.
Employee Visa
Your employee applies for their Accredited Employer Work Visa using the approved Job Check token.
Take the Next Step
Ready to hire a migrant worker?
We manage the full employer accreditation, job check, and visa process — so you can focus on your business.