Expected Surge in Employer Accreditation Renewals
Karyn Gould
It has been almost two years since the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme was initiated in May 2022. Time is approaching for many employers who obtained their initial accreditation during this period to consider its renewal—Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has recently announced that the estimated processing time for renewal will be at least six weeks.
Latest Figures
As of mid-April 2024, there are nearly 35,000 accredited employers. Concurrently, there has been significant discussion over migrant exploitation, which has led to the tightening of the assessment process of the scheme. INZ has undertaken 3,277 post-accreditation checks, and an additional 494 are underway. As a result, approximately 380 employers have had their status revoked, suspended, or are currently under assessment, in addition to 212 active investigations.
Who Should Renew Their Accreditation?
You should renew your employer accreditation if you want to:
- Employ new workers on an AEWV.
- Employ new workers on a Partnership-based work visa of an AEWV holder (conditions apply).
- Change accreditation types, for example from high volume to standard accreditation.
- Support an AEWV holder to apply for their AEWV balance (also called maximum continuous stay).
- Support a migrant worker to apply for a different visa that requires you to be accredited, such as a Work to Residence Visa or Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Difference from the First Accreditation
The renewal process will focus on assessing whether accredited employers have fulfilled their obligations as declared in the initial application, such as the completion of Employment New Zealand modules and the provision of settlement support for their employees. Other key considerations will include maintaining sound financial status and compliance with all immigration laws, employment regulations, and business standards of New Zealand.
Success in this process will depend on effective time management and providing evidence to demonstrate your activities. With a focus on compliance and support, K3 Legal is here to assist businesses in navigating the complexities of the accreditation renewal process, ensuring ongoing legal compliance in various aspects of their operations.
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8 May 2024: Renew your employer accreditation – INZ
26 Apr 2024: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) – INZ
