Applying for another AEWV

A guide to checking eligibility and the process of applying for another AEWV where the current visa is about to expire in New Zealand.

Applying for another AEWV

A person holdingAccredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)that is about to expire needs to check whether another AEWV may be granted to them and how to apply.

Checking eligibility to be granted another AEWV

A worker may be granted another AEWV where the term of the first AEWV was shorter than the total period of stay allowed in New Zealand (also known as the maximum continuous stay).

A person who has previously held more than 1 AEWV may be granted another AEWV where the total time already spent in New Zealand across several AEWVs is shorter than the total period of stay allowed in New Zealand.

A person who has stayed in New Zealand for the full period allowed on one or more AEWVs must leave for 12 consecutive months — before another AEWV may be applied for.

The total period of stay allowed in New Zealand

The total period of stay allowed in New Zealand may be from 3 years to 5 years, depending on the job’s skill level and when the first AEWV was granted.

How to apply for another AEWV

To apply for another AEWV, the employer must send the worker a job token. A job token is a unique email link Immigration New Zealand sends to the employer as part of the job check process; it is sometimes also called a “job check number”.

For those who filed their first AEWV application:

• on or before 09/03/2025, they may reuse the most recent job token
• on or after 10/03/2025, they may not reuse a job token to apply for another AEWV. They must use a new job token.

When to apply

A worker should apply for another AEWV when the current AEWV is about to expire.

Check that any medical certificate or police certificate needed for the application is still valid at the time of filing. The worker also needs to check that the employer will hold a valid job token when the current AEWV is about to expire.

Note:

The worker must meet all the AEWV requirements when applying for another AEWV.

Checking eligibility to reuse a job token

Reusing a job token means the employer need not carry out another job check. They may resend the job token from the most recent application.

To reuse a job token:

• the worker must be working in the same role, for the same employer and at the same location
• the worker must have been granted their current AEWV on or before 09/03/2025
• the rate of pay must be equal to or higher than the rate of pay for the current job, and
• the employer must be accredited.

Those who cannot reuse a job token

A worker cannot reuse a job token where they filed their current AEWV application on or after 10/03/2025.

A person who filed their current AEWV application on or before 09/03/2025 cannot reuse a job token where their rate of pay was below NZD 29.66 an hour when the AEWV was granted, and that AEWV was for one of the following jobs:

• Meat process worker
• Seafood process worker
• Snowsport instructor
• Mountain or glacier guide
• Snow groomer
• Outdoor adventure instructor
• Outdoor adventure guides nec
• Whitewater rafting guide
• Parachute rigger
• Ski technician
• Snow maker.

Applying for another AEWV with a reused job token

1. The employer sends the worker a request to apply for another AEWV with a reused job token.
2. The worker receives an email containing the job token.
3. The worker accepts the request. Open the Immigration Online link in the email to begin the application for another AEWV.

Note:

The worker may only accept the job token reuse link once. After that, the worker may log in from Immigration New Zealand’s website to continue the AEWV application.

Applying for another AEWV with a new job token

For those who do not meet the requirements to reuse a job token, the employer must send a new job token instead. This means they must have a new job check approved for the job.

Once the employer has done this, they may send the worker a link to apply for another AEWV.

1. The employer sends the worker a request to apply for another AEWV with a new job token.
2. The worker receives an email containing the job token.
3. The worker accepts the request. Select the Immigration Online link in the email to begin the application for another AEWV.

Spouse and children

For those who meet the requirements, a spouse and any dependent children may also apply for a further visa matching the term of the further AEWV. They must meet the usual visa requirements and pay the fees for their own applications.

A person who has not previously supported a visa for a spouse or children must meet the pay and skills requirements for their job in order to support their applications.