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.

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.

If your pay is below NZ$29.66/hour or if your job is classified at ANZSCO level 4 or 5, your maximum continuous is likely to be less than 5 years.

What can I do if my maximum stay is less than 5 years?

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.

If your pay falls below the February 2023 median wage or if your position aligns with ANZSCO level 4 or 5, your maximum continuous stay might be shorter than 5 years.

We can check if you qualify for a visa extension, if you have time remaining on your maximum continuous stay

Get in touch!

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 you applied on or after 7 April 2024

Role	Maximum visa length	Maximum continuous stay	Time you must spend outside New Zealand
Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate, and at ANZSCO level 1 to 3	5 years	5 years	12 months
Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate and on the Green List	5 years	5 years	12 months
Deck Hands (ANZSCO 899211) paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate	5 years	5 years	12 months
Roles paid at least 1.5 times the February 2024 median wage rate (NZD$47.41 per hour)	5 years	5 years	12 months
Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate, and at ANZSCO level 4 or 5	2 years	3 years	12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid NZD$28.25 an hour or above, or equivalent salary.	3 years	5 years	12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid below NZD$28.25 an hour or equivalent salary.	3 years	3 years	12 months
Construction and infrastructure sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	2 years	2 years	12 months
Bus drivers paid at least NZD$28 an hour as part of the transport sector	2 years	3 years	12 months
Seasonal snow and adventure tourism sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	3 years	12 months
Tourism and hospitality sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	2 years	2 years	12 months
Meat processing sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	7 months	4 months
Seafood processing (onshore) sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	7 months	4 months

If you applied between 21 June 2023 and 6 April 2024

Role	Maximum visa length	Maximum continuous stay	Time you must spend outside New Zealand
Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage	5 years	5 years	12 months
Transport work to residence roles, including any roles removed on 7 April 2024	5 years	5 years	12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid NZD$28.25 an hour or above, or equivalent salary.	3 years	5 years	12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid below NZD$28.25 an hour or equivalent salary.	3 years	3 years	12 months
Construction and infrastructure sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	2 years	2 years	12 months
Bus drivers paid at least NZD$28 an hour as part of the transport sector	3 years	5 years	12 months
Seasonal snow and adventure tourism sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	3 years	12 months
Tourism and hospitality sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	2 years	2 years	12 months
Meat processing sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	7 months	4 months
Seafood processing (onshore) sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	7 months	4 months

If you applied on or before 20 June 2023

Role	Maximum visa length	Maximum continuous stay	Time you must spend outside New Zealand
Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate, and at ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3	5 years	5 years	12 months
Roles paid at least 1.5 times the February 2024 median wage rate (NZD$47.41 per hour)	5 years	5 years	12 months
Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate and on the Green List	5 years	5 years	12 months
Roles paid at least the February 2023 median wage rate, and at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5	2 years	3 years	12 months
Transport work to residence roles, including any roles removed on 7 April 2024	5 years	5 years	12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid NZD$28.25 an hour or above, or equivalent salary.	3 years	5 years	12 months
Care workforce sector roles paid below NZD$28.25 an hour or equivalent salary.	3 years	3 years	12 months
Construction and infrastructure sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	2 years	2 years	12 months
Bus drivers paid at least NZD$28 an hour as part of the transport sector	3 years	5 years	12 months
Seasonal snow and adventure tourism sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	3 years	12 months
Tourism and hospitality sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	2 years	2 years	12 months
Meat processing sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	7 months	4 months
Seafood processing (onshore) sector roles paid below the February 2023 median wage	7 months	7 months	4 months

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

Get in touch!

What if I am on a pathway to residency?

You will not be subject to a stand-down period (having to leave New Zealand for 12 months) if you can demonstrate that you are on a pathway to securing residency. This may involve working towards occupational registration, completing a required qualification, or needing more time to complete your work experience.

Contact us today to discuss your visa requirements!