Understand the AEWV wage rule before you apply

What this means for you

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main temporary work visa for many migrants who have a New Zealand job offer. In broad terms, the employer usually needs to be accredited, the job normally needs to pass a job check, and the offer must meet the relevant pay and employment conditions required by INZ.

The “median wage requirement” refers to the way INZ has used New Zealand wage benchmarks to decide whether certain AEWV jobs meet the pay threshold. Depending on the role, sector, timing, and current immigration settings, a job may need to meet or exceed a wage threshold, or it may fall under a specific exemption, sector agreement, or separate rule.

This matters because a small difference in hourly pay, guaranteed hours, or how allowances are described can change the assessment. If you are checking whether your job offer may qualify, start with our [AEWV eligibility guide](/do-i-qualify-for-aewv/) or read the wider [Accredited Employer Work Visa overview](/accredited-employer-work-visa/).

How it works step by step

First, check the employer. For an AEWV, the New Zealand employer usually needs to hold valid accreditation. Accreditation is about the employer being approved to hire migrants under the AEWV system; it does not automatically mean every job they offer will qualify.

Second, check the job. The role may need to be covered by a job check, which looks at details such as the occupation, pay, location, minimum hours, and whether the employer has met any labour-market requirements that apply. Some roles also have skill, qualification, experience, or registration expectations.

Third, check the pay calculation. INZ generally looks at the hourly rate, not just the annual salary headline. Guaranteed hours, overtime, deductions, accommodation arrangements, and allowances may need careful review. If your contract says a yearly salary, it still needs to translate into an acceptable hourly rate based on the hours you are required to work.

Fourth, check whether a special rule applies. Some sectors and occupations have had different wage settings or pathways at different times. Trade roles, care roles, hospitality roles, transport roles, construction roles, and other practical occupations can be affected by occupation-specific or sector-specific settings. If you work in a hands-on occupation, our guide to [New Zealand immigration for tradespeople](/nz-immigration-for-tradespeople/) may help you understand the wider picture.

Finally, check the current rule before lodging. Wage thresholds and AEWV settings have changed over time and may change again. Treat online summaries as orientation only, then confirm the current INZ instructions or speak with a licensed immigration adviser.

What to prepare

Before you rely on a job offer for an AEWV, gather the documents that show exactly what is being offered. These usually include your employment agreement or offer letter, job description, location of work, guaranteed weekly hours, pay rate, and any information about allowances, accommodation, deductions, or variable hours.

You may also need evidence about your own suitability for the role. Depending on the occupation, this could include your CV, employment references, qualifications, occupational registration, trade certificates, or evidence of relevant experience. If your qualification was gained overseas, you may need to understand whether NZQA recognition or a comparable assessment is relevant.

It is also sensible to prepare standard visa documents early: identity documents, police certificates if required, medical information if required, translations for non-English documents, and evidence of your family situation if partners or dependent children may apply with or after you. Document requirements depend on your circumstances, so confirm the current list with INZ or a licensed adviser.

Mistakes to avoid

- **Assuming accreditation means the job qualifies.** Employer accreditation is only one part of the AEWV process. The specific job and your own eligibility still matter. - **Looking only at annual salary.** A salary that sounds high enough may not meet the relevant hourly calculation if the contract requires long hours or unpaid extra work. - **Counting uncertain income.** Bonuses, tips, commissions, overtime, allowances, or benefits may not always count in the way applicants expect. The wording of the employment agreement matters. - **Using old wage figures.** AEWV wage settings have changed before. A number you saw in an old article, video, or social media post may no longer apply. - **Ignoring occupation-specific rules.** Some jobs have additional requirements, exemptions, stand-down periods, or sector settings. These can affect both visa eligibility and future residence planning. - **Treating general guidance as advice.** This page can help you ask better questions, but it cannot confirm your personal eligibility. For that, use a free orientation check and speak with a licensed adviser.

Where to go next

If you already have a New Zealand job offer, your next step is to check whether the role, employer, pay, and your background appear to fit the AEWV pathway. You can start with Yimin’s [free eligibility checker](/eligibility-checker/) for an indicative orientation.

If you do not yet have a job offer, focus on roles with accredited employers and be careful to understand whether the pay and hours are likely to meet current visa settings. You should also consider your longer-term plan: some AEWV roles may support future residence pathways, while others may be mainly temporary.

If your situation includes a partner, children, previous visa issues, health or character concerns, changing employers, or a borderline pay rate, it is worth getting licensed advice early rather than trying to fix problems after submission.

Talk to a licensed adviser

Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. We are not a licensed immigration adviser and we do not provide personalised immigration advice. What we can do is help you understand the basic pathway, run a free eligibility orientation, and connect you with an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer for advice on your specific case.

If the AEWV wage requirement is the part you are unsure about, do not guess. Run the [free eligibility check](/eligibility-checker/) or [book a free intro call](/contact/) so a licensed professional can review the current rules, your offer, and your documents before you move forward.