# New Zealand Work Visa Requirements for Indians: 2026 Checklist > A document-by-document AEWV checklist for Indians: job offer, experience evidence, English test rules, chest X-ray, police certificates, fees, timelines and FTA updates. _Published: 2026-10-25 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1210_ ## TL;DR The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) needs a job offer of at least 30 hours a week at the market rate from an accredited employer, plus 2 years' relevant experience or an NZQCF level 4 qualification unless exempt. It costs NZD 1,540 and INZ decides 80% of applications within 5.5 weeks. ## Key takeaways - AEWV job offer: accredited employer, approved job check, at least 30 hours a week, at least the market rate. - Skills proof: 2 years' relevant experience or an NZQCF level 4+ qualification, shown with third-party documents; a CV alone is not enough. - English evidence is needed for ANZSCO/NOL skill level 3 to 5 jobs; skill level 3 was added from 1 June 2026. - Fee NZD 1,540 (NZD 480 application + NZD 1,060 immigration levy); 80% decided within 5.5 weeks. - Employers and agents cannot charge you for a job offer, and INZ declines applications where money was offered for one. **According to Immigration New Zealand, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) needs a job offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check, for at least 30 hours a week at the market rate, plus 2 years' relevant experience or an NZQCF level 4 qualification (unless exempt). The fee is NZD 1,540, and INZ decides 80% within 5.5 weeks.** ## Article This checklist follows Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the New Zealand Government and VFS Global India, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Because immigration.govt.nz was returning errors in mid-October 2026, several INZ pages were read from archived copies of the official pages; re-check the live page before you submit. For visitor and student visas, see our New Zealand visa guide for Indians. ### What must your AEWV job offer show? The AEWV is New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa. You cannot start it on your own: the accredited employer sends you a link to apply online. Tick off each point before you open that link. - The employer holds AEWV accreditation and has an approved job check for your role. - The job is for at least 30 hours a week. - The pay is at least the market rate for the role. - The role is not horticulture or viticulture crop work, fishing crew or self-employment, which the AEWV does not cover. Watch for one red flag above all. Employers or agents cannot charge you for a job or for recruitment costs. INZ declines applications where money was offered for a job offer, and it warns that job offer scams are common in India and South Asia. ### Which documents prove your skills and experience? RequirementWhat to uploadWhen it does not apply2 years of relevant work experience, or a qualification at NZQCF level 4 or higher in the same field (a bachelor's degree or higher can be in any field)Third-party evidence such as employment certificates, payslips and tax certificates; degree or diploma certificatesJob on the Green List, you hold the required New Zealand occupational registration, or pay of at least NZD 67.12 an hourInternational Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQAIQA reportOnly needed if your overseas qualification is below a bachelor's degreeOccupational registrationNew Zealand registration evidenceOnly if the job requires registration in New ZealandEnglishCitizenship or study evidence, or a test result no more than 2 years oldJobs at ANZSCO/NOL skill level 1 or 2INZ says a CV alone is not enough to prove experience. For a salaried job in India, that usually means an experience letter on company letterhead, salary slips and your tax certificates such as Form 16 for the same period. ### Do you need an English test for an AEWV in 2026? It depends on the skill level of the job. From 1 June 2026, the minimum English requirement (IELTS 4.0 or equivalent) was extended from skill level 4 and 5 roles to skill level 3 roles, according to the New Zealand Government. - It applies to AEWV applications made on or after 1 June 2026. - It also applies to current AEWV holders whose visa expires after 1 December 2026 and who apply for a further skill level 3 AEWV. - English evidence that INZ accepted earlier still counts. - Job Change, Global Workforce Seasonal and Peak Seasonal AEWV applications are not covered by this change. The announcement is on the New Zealand Government's Beehive site. ### What health, character and photo documents does INZ want? - Chest X-ray: needed if you will stay more than 6 months, because India is not a low-TB country. Medical documents must be less than 3 months old. - Police certificates: needed if you are 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer. - Photo: a JPG or JPEG of 512 KB to 3.14 MB, portrait, 3:4 aspect ratio, face covering 70-80% of the image, taken within the last 6 months, with no editing, filters or AI tools. Order your Indian police clearance and X-ray early. Both take time to arrange, and the X-ray has a 3-month freshness limit. ### How much does the AEWV cost and how long does it take? ItemAmount or timeAEWV fee (applying from outside New Zealand)NZD 1,540 (NZD 480 application fee + NZD 1,060 immigration levy)International Visitor Conservation and Tourism LevyNot charged on the AEWVVFS passport handling (only if INZ asks for your passport)INR 1,460INZ processing80% within 5.5 weeks; Green List roles prioritisedMaximum continuous stay5 years for most jobs, 3 years for skill level 4 or 5 jobs, then normally 12 months outside New ZealandThe 5.5-week figure is INZ's headline timeframe for all applicants, not an India-specific number. VFS Global runs New Zealand centres in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai, and you go there only if INZ asks for your passport. ### Can your partner and children come with you? They cannot be included in your AEWV application. They may get visitor, work or student visas depending on your pay and skill level. For a Partner of a Worker Work Visa (from NZD 1,630), INZ sets these pay floors for the AEWV holder: - ANZSCO level 1 to 3 job: at least NZD 28 an hour (80% of the median wage). - Level 4 or 5 job not in a sector agreement: at least NZD 52.50 an hour (150% of the median wage), or at least NZD 35 an hour in a Green List job. ### Is the new India Skilled Work visa open yet? Not as at our check. The New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement enters into force on 20 October 2026. MFAT says New Zealand committed to the equivalent of 1,667 three-year temporary employment entry visas a year: 1,467 for 13 skilled Green List occupations and 200 for iconic Indian occupations such as yoga, music, chefs and ayurvedic practitioners, with no more than 5,000 at any time. Regulations exempt the new India Skilled Work and India Iconic Work visas from the NZD 100 visitor levy from 20 October 2026. INZ had not published opening dates or criteria. Until it does, the AEWV is the route to use. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files. Packages start at INR 1,000 for a flight reservation and go up to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or reach us through our contact page. ### Frequently asked questions #### Can I apply for a New Zealand work visa without a job offer? Not for the AEWV. It needs a job offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check, and the employer sends you the link to apply. India is not on New Zealand's working holiday list either. #### Can the AEWV lead to residence? INZ says the AEWV can last up to 5 years depending on the job and can lead to residence. The Skilled Migrant Category needs a job or job offer with an accredited employer, and the Straight to Residence visa is for Green List Tier 1 roles. #### Where do Indians submit their passport for a New Zealand work visa? Only if INZ asks for it, at a VFS Global centre in New Delhi, Chandigarh or Mumbai. The passport handling fee is INR 1,460, paid by demand draft to VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PVT LTD. #### Does the AEWV fee include the NZD 100 visitor levy? No. Accredited Employer work visas are exempt from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. The NZD 1,540 is the application fee plus the immigration levy. ## FAQ ### Can I apply for a New Zealand work visa without a job offer? Not for the AEWV. It needs a job offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check, and the employer sends you the link to apply. India is not on New Zealand's working holiday list either. ### Can the AEWV lead to residence? INZ says the AEWV can last up to 5 years depending on the job and can lead to residence. The Skilled Migrant Category needs a job or job offer with an accredited employer, and the Straight to Residence visa is for Green List Tier 1 roles. ### Where do Indians submit their passport for a New Zealand work visa? Only if INZ asks for it, at a VFS Global centre in New Delhi, Chandigarh or Mumbai. The passport handling fee is INR 1,460, paid by demand draft to VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PVT LTD. ### Does the AEWV fee include the NZD 100 visitor levy? No. Accredited Employer work visas are exempt from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. The NZD 1,540 is the application fee plus the immigration levy. ## Sources 1. [Immigration New Zealand - Accredited Employer Work Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa/) — Immigration New Zealand 2. [Beehive (NZ Government) - English language requirement extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles (25 May 2026)](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/english-language-requirement-extended-aewv-skill-level-3-roles) — New Zealand Government 3. [MFAT - NZ-India FTA key outcomes (temporary employment entry visas, working holiday scheme)](https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-concluded-but-not-in-force/new-zealand-india-free-trade-agreement/key-outcomes) — New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) 4. [VFS Global - NZ Passport handling for online applications](https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/nzl/passport-handling) — VFS Global