For New Zealand Employers Considering Overseas Talent
Hiring internationally doesn’t have to be complicated. Below is a clear snapshot of what’s involved when recruiting overseas workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway in New Zealand.
Our goal is to make the process simple, compliant, and time-efficient for employers.
Step-by-Step: What’s Involved?
1️⃣ Accreditation — $775 (INZ fee)
To hire migrant workers, your business must first become an accredited employer with Immigration New Zealand.
We manage this process for you to ensure everything is prepared correctly.
Official guidance:
🔗 Getting ready to hire people from overseas
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/for-employers/hiring-people-from-overseas/getting-ready-to-hire-people-from-overseas/
2️⃣ Job Check — $735 (INZ fee)
Once accredited, you must submit a Job Check for the specific role you want to fill.
👉 We handle both Accreditation and Job Check for you, saving you time and reducing compliance risks.
Official accreditation & Job Check information:
🔗 https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/for-employers/getting-accreditation-or-approval-to-hire/
3️⃣ Employment Offer
You issue the employment agreement.
We review it to ensure it meets immigration and employment standards before submission.
4️⃣ Work Visa Application
The worker applies for their AEWV.
✔ No cost to you as the employer
✔ Processing time approximately 4–6 weeks (may vary)
5️⃣ Flights
No cost to the company (unless you choose to offer relocation support).
6️⃣ Settlement Support
Your support is important when the worker arrives in:
-
- Christchurch
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- Napier
-
- Westport
-
- Or any other city in New Zealand
In Auckland, we are happy to assist with:
✔ First accommodation
✔ Bank account setup
✔ IRD number
✔ Initial settlement support
Important Resources for Employers
We strongly recommend reviewing the official employer instructions from Immigration New Zealand:
✔ Getting Ready to Hire People from Overseas
✔ Hiring Workers from the Philippines
✔ Financial Evidence Required for Accreditation
✔ Employer Responsibilities & Avoiding Bias
Good hiring practice includes fair and unbiased recruitment processes.
You can find employer guidance directly on the Immigration NZ website:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/for-employers/
A Professional Note
Olia is not a licensed immigration adviser. However, our company works alongside a qualified immigration lawyer who oversees immigration matters and ensures legal compliance where required.
Why Work With Us?
International recruitment can feel overwhelming at first. With the right structure and experienced support, it becomes a clear and manageable process.
We hope these materials help you feel more confident employing people directly from overseas.
With many years of experience in this field, we help employers save time, reduce stress, and recruit the right skilled workers for their business.
Olia and the recruitment team
Tradies 4 New Zealand Ltd
