Accredited Employer Work Visa – Update
The Government recently announced that they were relooking at parts of the Accredited Employer Work Visa. As a result, the go live date has slightly shifted.
From 23 May 2022 employers can apply for accreditation. The price of accreditation varies depending on the business model and number of migrants an employer intends to hire. Accreditation starts at $740, up to a maximum of $3,870 for businesses who place migrants with controlling third parties.
To become accredited, an employer must meet the following:
- Have a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
- Be in a sound financial position
- Provide settlement support to employees
- Be compliant with employment, immigration and business law.
In addition to meeting the above, triangular employers (i.e. a business who place migrants with controlling third parties) must:
- Only place migrants with other compliant businesses
- Monitor the conditions and safety of staff placed with third party businesses (including responding to any identified issues)
- Employ New Zealand citizens and residents full time (a minimum of 15% of their workforce)
- Have employed at least one staff member over 12 months ago
Franchisees must also meet additional requirements, specifically:
- Have been trading for at least 12 months
- Employ New Zealand citizens and residents full time (a minimum of 15% of their workforce)
The Government has also brought in an additional requirement relating to remuneration. All Accredited employers wishing to sponsor a migrant worker must pay a minimum of $27.76 per hour.
If your business employs migrants or is intends on employing migrants, don’t leave your accreditation application to the last minute.
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