Before you start

For the AEWV: a job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand
Pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage — NZD 23.95/hour from 1 April 2026 — and the market rate for the role
At least 2 years of relevant experience, or a relevant qualification
Health and character requirements, including chest x-rays for longer stays

Step-by-step

1
Check whether you need a work visa at all
If your income comes entirely from an employer or clients outside New Zealand, a visitor visa or NZeTA now permits that work outright. This is the cheapest legal route into the country for a remote worker and most guides have not caught up with it.
OnlineWho: You
2
Find an accredited employer
The AEWV requires the employer to hold accreditation and to have completed a job check for the role before you can apply. You cannot lead this step — an employer without accreditation cannot hire you on this visa however much they want to.
Via employerWho: Your employer
3
Apply for the AEWV
Applications are online. Pay must meet the minimum wage and the New Zealand market rate for the role — the market-rate test replaced the old median-wage threshold and is now what actually binds.
OnlineWho: You
4
Complete health and character checks
Medical certificates and police certificates are required depending on visa length and where you have lived. Start these early; they are the usual cause of delay.
In personWho: You
5
Apply for your IRD number as soon as you arrive
You need it before your first payday or you are taxed at 45%. It is free and can be started online.
OnlineWho: YouWeek 1
6
Plan the residence step deliberately
The Skilled Migrant Category is the main residence route and its rules change on 24 August 2026. If residence is the goal, check which ruleset your application will fall under before you file.
OnlineWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Passport
Job offer from an accredited employer, with a completed job check
Evidence of 2 years' relevant experience or a relevant qualification
Medical certificate and chest x-ray, depending on visa length
Police certificates from countries you have lived in

Things most newcomers don’t know

New Zealand has no digital nomad visa because it changed the visitor visa instead.

Since 27 January 2025 every visitor visa and NZeTA carries a condition permitting remote work for an overseas employer, with no stated cap on volume. You must not work for a New Zealand employer or supply New Zealand clients, and the work must stay incidental to your visit — but for a remote employee this is a far lighter path than any nomad visa in the region.

Source: Immigration New Zealand — working remotely on a visitor visa, from 27 January 2025

The median-wage requirement is gone, and most articles still quote it.

From 10 March 2025 the AEWV no longer requires the median wage — only the statutory minimum wage plus the New Zealand market rate for the role. Sector agreements were abolished at the same time and the experience requirement fell from 3 years to 2. Any guide quoting a median-wage figure is describing a system that no longer exists.

Source: Immigration New Zealand — changes to the AEWV and median wage, 10 March 2025

The Skilled Migrant Category changes on 24 August 2026 — weeks from now.

Two new residence pathways arrive: a Skilled Work Experience pathway needing 5+ years' experience including 2 in New Zealand at 1.1× the SMC median wage, and a Trades and Technician pathway. Red and Amber occupation lists also arrive — Red list roles such as hairdresser and retail manager are excluded from both new pathways, and Amber roles such as chef and hotel manager face tougher requirements. Check which list your occupation is on before filing.

Source: Immigration New Zealand — further SMC changes effective 24 August 2026

Accreditation is the employer's problem, and it is your bottleneck.

You cannot apply for an AEWV against a job offer from a non-accredited employer, no matter how genuine the role. Ask about accreditation status in the first interview rather than the offer stage — smaller New Zealand employers often have not gone through it and do not realise it blocks the hire.

Source: Immigration New Zealand — AEWV employer requirements

Common mistakes to avoid

Relying on any guide that still quotes the AEWV median-wage threshold — it was removed on 10 March 2025.
Filing a Skilled Migrant Category application without checking the 24 August 2026 ruleset and the Red/Amber occupation lists.
Accepting a job offer from an employer who is not accredited.
Doing work for New Zealand clients while on a visitor visa — remote work is only permitted for overseas employers.
Arriving without starting your IRD number application, and being taxed at 45%.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.