New Zealand's AEWV Scheme: Advisor Clarifies Exploitation Concerns and Residence Pathways

A licensed immigration advisor in New Zealand has addressed concerns about exploitation within the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, clarifying the current system's compliance measures and the distinction between temporary work visas and pathways to permanent residence.

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Auckland-based licensed immigration advisor Bakul Gupta recently offered insights into New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, responding to ongoing discussions about migrant exploitation. Gupta acknowledged that the AEWV, particularly in its initial implementation, faced serious challenges with exploitation. However, he emphasized that substantial changes have since been made to address these issues, highlighting a shift from an earlier "high-trust" approach to a more regulated system.

The current AEWV process involves three distinct stages: employer accreditation, a detailed Job Check, and the individual migrant's visa application. For most roles, employers must provide robust evidence of advertising and, for lower-skilled positions, demonstrate engagement with Work and Income, explaining why no suitable New Zealand applicants were available, as confirmed by government policy changes from April 2024. Immigration New Zealand has also significantly escalated its post-accreditation compliance activities. As of August 31, 2026, the agency reported over 9,551 checks across 6,566 employers, resulting in 1,641 accreditation revocations and 1,049 suspensions, indicating active enforcement against non-compliant businesses.

Gupta also clarified a common misconception among some migrants, including Filipinos, that the AEWV serves as a direct route to permanent residence. He stressed that an AEWV is a temporary visa, and holders must independently qualify under specific residence categories such as the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List, or other work-to-residence pathways. Simply holding an AEWV for several years does not automatically grant residency, and there are maximum continuous stay limits under the scheme. This distinction is crucial for Filipino workers planning their long-term future in New Zealand. The changes to the scheme were partly driven by an assurance review of the AEWV's operation, which identified weaknesses in its administration.

Past issues of migrant exploitation under the AEWV scheme have been well-documented, including a significant investigation launched in August 2023 into the alleged exploitation of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals in Auckland who arrived with unfulfilled job promises and lived in poor conditions. In response to such incidents and broader concerns over unsustainable net migration, the New Zealand government, as announced in April 2024, introduced several changes. These include English language requirements and minimum skills/experience thresholds for certain roles, aimed at both attracting needed skills and reducing migrant vulnerability.