Master prompt
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) renewal + Job Check (NZ)
Renew the AEWV with same or new accredited employer. Covers employer accreditation, Job Check, median wage threshold, and pathway to Skilled Migrant Category residence.
New ZealandVisa extensionAEWVAccredited EmployerJob CheckMedian wageSMC residence
You are advising [CLIENT_NAME] on renewing the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — replaced Essential Skills 2022. Path depends on whether [SAME_OR_NEW_EMPLOYER] is "same" or "new".
REGULATORY ANCHORS
• Immigration Instructions W (Work)
• AEWV Instructions WK 3.5 (introduced 2022)
• Median Wage Threshold — set by MBIE; updated annually each February-ish
• Green List occupations — fast-track residence pathway
• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) — residence pathway after work experience accumulated
CURRENT POSTURE
• AEWV expires: [CURRENT_AEWV_EXPIRY]
• Employer: [ACCREDITED_EMPLOYER] ([ACCREDITATION_TYPE] accreditation; [SAME_OR_NEW_EMPLOYER])
• Job: [JOB_TITLE_ANZSCO]
• Wage: NZD [OFFERED_WAGE_NZD]/hour (median threshold: NZD [MEDIAN_WAGE_THRESHOLD]/hour)
• Residence plan: SMC residence after 2-3 years
§1 — AEWV THREE-CHECK FRAMEWORK
AEWV is a three-check system:
CHECK 1 — Employer Check: Employer holds current INZ accreditation (Standard/High-volume/Triangular/Franchisee)
CHECK 2 — Job Check: Specific role meets median wage + ANZSCO skill level + advertising requirements (where applicable)
CHECK 3 — Migrant Check: Applicant meets character, health, skills, experience for the role
For RENEWAL with SAME employer in SAME role: Checks 2 + 3 still need fresh review per renewal; Check 1 must still be current.
For NEW accredited employer: Full three-check sequence required.
§2 — MEDIAN WAGE THRESHOLD
Per current INZ guidance:
• Median wage threshold ≈ NZD [MEDIAN_WAGE_THRESHOLD]/hour (verify current — updated annually)
• Roles paying ≥ median: most occupations eligible
• Roles paying < median: only "exemption" occupations (care workers, hospitality, etc. with exemptions; verify list)
[CLIENT_NAME]'s wage NZD [OFFERED_WAGE_NZD]/hour:
• Compare to median NZD [MEDIAN_WAGE_THRESHOLD]
• State pass/fail
If below median: limited renewal pathways; consider Green List + sector-specific exemption.
§3 — GREEN LIST FAST TRACK
If [JOB_TITLE_ANZSCO] is on Green List:
• Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) — apply for residence immediately upon job offer + minimum 6 months in NZ
• Tier 2 (Work to Residence) — 2 years of AEWV with Tier 2 employer → eligible for residence
• Skips SMC point requirement
Check current Green List for [JOB_TITLE_ANZSCO] — list updated periodically by MBIE.
§4 — DOCUMENT PACK FOR AEWV RENEWAL
For Job Check (employer-led):
A. Job Check application via Employer's INZ portal
B. Employment Agreement (per Employment Relations Act 2000)
C. Job description + duties matching ANZSCO [JOB_TITLE_ANZSCO]
D. Wage evidence — at/above median NZD [MEDIAN_WAGE_THRESHOLD]
E. Advertising evidence (if wage above 1.5× median: exempt from advertising; otherwise 4 weeks on 3 platforms within 90 days)
F. Job Check fee NZD $735 // verify
For Migrant Check (worker-led):
G. Online application via inz.govt.nz
H. Identity documents
I. Skills evidence:
• Qualifications (with NZQA International Qualifications Assessment if foreign)
• Work experience evidence — letters from prior employers, pay records
• Membership of professional bodies (if regulated occupation)
J. English language:
• IELTS / OET / TOEFL / PTE / Cambridge for skilled migrants
• UG/PG degree from English-speaking country may waive
K. Character certificate:
• Police certificate from country of citizenship + any country lived in 5+ years past 10 years
• Valid within 6 months
L. Medical certificates:
• INZ-approved doctor; X-ray + general medical
• Valid within 3 months
M. Photocopy of:
• Passport biographical page
• Current AEWV / prior INZ documents
N. AEWV application fee: NZD $750 + Immigration Levy // verify
O. INZ 1146 (Letter of Authority) if IAA adviser acting
§5 — COVER LETTER (250-350 words)
Open: "Application under Immigration Instructions WK for renewal of Accredited Employer Work Visa for [CLIENT_NAME], to continue employment with [ACCREDITED_EMPLOYER] in the role of [JOB_TITLE_ANZSCO] at NZD [OFFERED_WAGE_NZD]/hour."
Structure:
¶1 — Identity + current AEWV + role
¶2 — Employer accreditation: [ACCREDITATION_TYPE] (verify currently valid at INZ)
¶3 — Job Check: median wage NZD [OFFERED_WAGE_NZD] ≥ threshold NZD [MEDIAN_WAGE_THRESHOLD]; ANZSCO match; advertising compliance / exemption
¶4 — Migrant Check: skills + experience + qualifications match the role
¶5 — Character + health: certificates current
¶6 — Residence trajectory: SMC residence after 2-3 years
¶7 — Compliance on prior AEWV: hours worked per contract; tax-paid (IRD record); no breaches
§6 — RESIDENCE PATHWAYS — SMC residence after 2-3 years
If SMC residence after 2-3 years mentions SMC:
• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) — points-based residence
• Reformed 2023-2024: simplified 6-point system based on skills, qualifications, experience
• Need 6 points; bonus for Green List occupations
• Apply via Expression of Interest (EOI) → Invitation to Apply (ITA)
• Threshold for invitation: typically 6 points + Green List preferred
• Residence visa fee NZD $4,890 + Migrant Levy // verify
If SMC residence after 2-3 years mentions Green List Tier 1:
• Straight to Residence — qualifying job offer in Tier 1 role
• Apply directly via Green List Residence pathway
• Faster than SMC
§7 — INTERIM VISA + TRAVEL (Section 78)
On in-time AEWV renewal lodgement:
• Section 78 interim visa may be auto-granted (typically max 6 months)
• Permits continued work for same employer in same role
• For new employer: cannot start new role until grant
• Travel: interim visa with travel conditions; some interim visas grant single-entry travel rights
§8 — RED FLAGS
• Employer accreditation expired / revoked — fatal; client must find new accredited employer within 30 days or visa cancellation under Section 49
• Wage below median (no exemption applicable) — fatal
• Cannot demonstrate genuine vacancy / advertising compliance — Job Check refused
• Skills/qualifications not matching ANZSCO — INZ may downgrade or refuse
• Prior AEWV condition breach (working outside role; second job without notice) — disclose; mitigation
• Hours significantly below contracted (under-employment): exploitation flag; INZ welfare review
§9 — POST-DECISION ACTIONS
• Approval: new AEWV eVisa / visa label issued
• IRD: update employer in IR330 (Tax Code Declaration)
• Bank, lease, KiwiSaver continue with new employer
• Update residence/SMC EOI if relevant
End with: "DRAFT AEWV renewal pack — for IAA-licensed immigration adviser review. Confirm [ACCREDITED_EMPLOYER]'s accreditation status on INZ accredited-employer register; verify current median wage threshold (updated each February-March typically); cross-check [JOB_TITLE_ANZSCO] on current Green List + ANZSCO skill level before submission."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt