What is the maximum continuous stay allowed on an Accredited Employer Work Visa
How long can you stay in New Zealand on the AEWV?
Maximum continuous stay on AEWV
Migrant who are not on a pathway to residence are subject to a “maximum continuous stay”. This is the total time they can spend on an AEWV before a “stand-down period” applies and they must leave New Zealand for 12 months. The maximum continuous stay allowed on an Accredited Employer Work visa (AEWV) is 5 years.
Once your maximum continuous stay in New Zealand ends, you must depart the country for a specified period, typically 12 months, before becoming eligible for another Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Note that you can spend more time in New Zealand if you apply for another type of visa.
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How long can I stay in New Zealand on an AEWV?
Your stay duration of up to 5 years hinges on several factors:
Your salary level,
The ANZSCO occupation code/skill level corresponding to your job.
The timing of your initial AEWV application.
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If your AEWV permits a maximum continuous stay of less than 5 years, you might qualify for a 5-year duration by transitioning to a job classified at ANZSCO level 1 to 3, a position on the Green List, or a role offering 1.5 times the median wage. If you’ve already departed New Zealand because you reached your maximum continuous stay, you could potentially return before fulfilling the required time outside of New Zealand if you’re offered a higher-skilled role with a maximum continuous stay of 5 years.
We can check if you qualify for a visa extension, if you have time remaining on your maximum continuous stay.
Below is a summary of the maximum single visa length by job category, the maximum continuous stay allowed, and the time you must spend outside New Zealand if you aren’t on a pathway to residency.
Maximum continuous stay: summary of durations
Below is a summary of maximum continuous stay based on your situation and when your first AEWV was applied for.
If your first AEWV application was made between 21 June 2023 and 6 April 2024
The maximum continuous stay period may be 60 months (5 years) if the role approved was paid at or above $29.66 at the time of approval
If not, then...
If your current offer of employment is
Maximum Continuous Stay
ANZSCO skill level 1-3
60 months
(5 years)
On the Green List
Included in the Transport Sector: Work to Residence and meets the remuneration threshold required for residence
Included in the Transport Sector: Work to Residence as of 6 April 2024, where the holder holds an AEWV, and the application for that AEWV was submitted on or before 6 April 2024
Included in the Care Workforce sector and meets the remuneration threshold required for residence
Paid at or above 1.5 times the median wage in the Skilled Migrant Category
ANZSCO Skill Level 4 or 5 (where the employment is not otherwise assessed as meeting any of the above
36 months
(3 years)
How the maximum continuous stay is calculated
The calculation for your maximum continuous stay is based on:
- The issuance date of your first AEWV
- If your AEWV was granted while you were outside New Zealand, the calculation starts from when you arrived in New Zealand on that AEWV.
- Any duration spent on an AEWV, regardless of whether the pay was below the median wage, contributes to your maximum continuous stay unless you’ve fulfilled the required time outside New Zealand.
However, your maximum continuous stay does not include durations spent on:
- Other temporary visas like visitor and student visas.
- Other work visas such as Post Study Work Visa, partnership-based visa, working holiday visa, or an Interim Visa.
What if my current visa wasn’t granted for 5 years?
We can check if you qualify for a visa extension, if you have time remaining on your maximum continuous stay
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