Accredited Employer Work Visa
AEWVJob with an accredited employer at the market rate.
2 years' experience or a relevant qualificationEnglish test for skill level 3–5 roles5 years (levels 1–3) or 3 years (4–5)Via SMC or Green List
Work abroad · New Zealand
New Zealand work permits for Indian applicants: routes, salary thresholds and eligible professions
- Permit routes
- 5
- Professions open
- 5
- Professions checked
- 8
- Figures verified
- Sept 2026
Other countries
Employer-led. An Accredited Employer Work Visa comes first, then residence through the six-point Skilled Migrant system or the Green List. No working-holiday scheme for Indians.
Work visas and permits
Skilled Migrant Category
SMCSix-point residence system: points from registration, qualification or income plus NZ work experience.
Job offer at median wage NZD 35/hrAge up to 55, IELTS 6.5New Skilled Work Experience and Trades & Technician pathways from Aug 2026Resident visa
Green List
GLTier 1 Straight to Residence for nurses, engineers, IT and secondary teachers; Tier 2 Work to Residence for trades.
Tier 2: 24 months in the roleWelders and fabricators at 1.3× median wageResident visa
Care Workforce Work to Residence
CWCare and support workers with accredited employers.
24 months at NZD 28.25/hr or moreResident visa
Post Study Work Visa
PSWVGraduates of NZ bachelor's degrees or higher.
3 years open workOnce per lifetimeBridge to SMC
Professions eligible for New Zealand permits
- ✓Registered nurses · Green List Tier 1
- ✓Civil, electrical, mechanical engineers · Green List Tier 1
- ✓Software developers, ICT security · Green List Tier 1
- ✓Electricians, plumbers, mechanics · Green List Tier 2
- ✓Welders, metal fabricators · Green List Tier 2 at NZD 45.50/hr
- ~Chefs & cooks · AEWV then SMC; not on the Green List
- ~Care workers · Care Workforce Work to Residence
- ✕Truck & bus drivers · no residence route since 2024
Open nowConditions applyClosed
How Zolt Link helps with a New Zealand work visaWith an offer letter and contract in hand, the employer's registration, the role and the salary are checked against the permit rules, then the permit application and the visa file are prepared and lodged, with dependant visas planned alongside. Zolt Link prepares visa applications; it does not recruit workers for overseas employers.
Ask about a work visa
Quick answers
- What is the New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and who is it for?
- Job with an accredited employer at the market rate. Key conditions: 2 years' experience or a relevant qualification; English test for skill level 3–5 roles; 5 years (levels 1–3) or 3 years (4–5). Settlement: Via SMC or Green List.
- What is the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and who is it for?
- Six-point residence system: points from registration, qualification or income plus NZ work experience. Key conditions: Job offer at median wage NZD 35/hr; Age up to 55, IELTS 6.5; New Skilled Work Experience and Trades & Technician pathways from Aug 2026. Settlement: Resident visa.
- What is the New Zealand Green List (GL) and who is it for?
- Tier 1 Straight to Residence for nurses, engineers, IT and secondary teachers; Tier 2 Work to Residence for trades. Key conditions: Tier 2: 24 months in the role; Welders and fabricators at 1.3× median wage. Settlement: Resident visa.
- What is the New Zealand Care Workforce Work to Residence (CW) and who is it for?
- Care and support workers with accredited employers. Key conditions: 24 months at NZD 28.25/hr or more. Settlement: Resident visa.
- What is the New Zealand Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) and who is it for?
- Graduates of NZ bachelor's degrees or higher. Key conditions: 3 years open work; Once per lifetime. Settlement: Bridge to SMC.
- Which professions can Indian applicants get a New Zealand work permit for in 2026?
- Open now: Registered nurses (Green List Tier 1); Civil, electrical, mechanical engineers (Green List Tier 1); Software developers, ICT security (Green List Tier 1); Electricians, plumbers, mechanics (Green List Tier 2); Welders, metal fabricators (Green List Tier 2 at NZD 45.50/hr). Conditions apply: Chefs & cooks (AEWV then SMC; not on the Green List); Care workers (Care Workforce Work to Residence). Closed to new overseas hires: Truck & bus drivers (no residence route since 2024).
- Can Zolt Link prepare the New Zealand work permit and visa if I already have a job offer?
- Yes. With an offer letter and contract in hand, the employer's registration, the role and the salary are checked against the New Zealand permit rules, then the permit application and the visa file are prepared and lodged, with dependant visas planned alongside. Zolt Link prepares visa applications; it does not recruit workers for overseas employers.
Requirements, salary thresholds and government charges shown here are the headline rules as at and change often; every requirement is re-checked against the official source on the day a file is prepared. General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed .
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