The Accredited Employer Work Visa - What Employers Should Know?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is designed to provide skilled workers with an opportunity to work and live in New Zealand. Under this program, employers who have been approved by Immigration New Zealand as Accredited Employers can offer job opportunities to foreign workers who possess the required skills and experience. This visa allows successful applicants to work for a specified period of time and potentially apply for residency in New Zealand. It's a great option that NZ based employers can exercise to manage the skills gap in their organization.
Why Go for It?
As an employer in New Zealand, the Accredited Employer Work Visa program provides a great opportunity to hire skilled workers from overseas. With this visa, your company can offer job opportunities to foreign workers who possess the required skills and experience, and work for at least 30 hours per week.
This program also allows your employees to study for up to 3 months in any 12 month period, or do any study required as part of their employment, which can further enhance their skills and add value to your company.
In some cases, successful employees may be eligible for a Straight to Residence Visa, or after 2 years in the role, a Work to Residence, Highly Paid Residence Visa or Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa, which can provide long-term benefits for both your company and your employees.
How to Ensure Employee Eligibility for Accredited Employer Work Visa Program?
In order for your employees to be eligible for a Straight to Residence Visa or other Work to Residence Visas, they must meet certain criteria such as being aged 55 or younger, meeting English language requirements, and meeting health and character requirements for residence. Additionally, your employees must be working for an accredited employer, which means your company must have been approved by Immigration New Zealand as an Accredited Employer.
To become an Accredited Employer, your company must demonstrate a commitment to employing and training New Zealanders, have good workplace practices, and meet other eligibility criteria.
What are the visa conditions for employees under the Accredited Employer Work Visa program in New Zealand?
As an employer in New Zealand, it's important to understand the visa conditions for your employees under the Accredited Employer Work Visa program. The visa is valid for up to 3 years if your employee is paid at or above the New Zealand median wage of NZD $29.66 an hour, and for up to 2 years if they are paid below the median wage. It's important to ensure that your employees are paid fairly and meet the visa conditions to avoid any issues with their visa status.
It's also important to note that the Accredited Employer Work Visa ties the employee to the employer who offered the visa application for the length of their visa. If their situation changes, they will need to vary the conditions of their visa or apply for a new visa. As an employer, it's important to be aware of your employees' visa status and ensure that they are able to continue working for your company under the visa conditions.
Under the Accredited Employer Work Visa program, your employee may be able to support a work visa for their partner and visitor or student visas for their dependent children. However, you can only support your dependent child's visitor or student visa if you earn at least NZD $43,322.76 each year.
Our website provides comprehensive information and guidance on the visa conditions and requirements, so you can ensure that your employees are able to work for your company and their families can join them in New Zealand.