Hiring From Overseas Early Next Year? Here's Why You Need to Start Now

New Zealand EmployersVisa Application Tips

30 Sept

If you're thinking about bringing on a skilled migrant in February or March, it’s a good idea to get the immigration process started early, before the office closes for the holidays. Every AEWV hire involves three important steps: accreditation, the job check, and then the visa. Once the holidays arrive, each of these steps tends to take a bit longer than most employers expect. Here's what you should keep in mind to stay on track.

Is your accreditation current, and will it stay that way?

Check your expiry date first! Your initial accreditation is good for 12 months, while renewals for standard or high-volume accreditation are valid for 24 months.

Remember, INZ only sends a reminder email two weeks before your accreditation expires, so it’s a good idea not to rely solely on that.

If your accreditation is due to expire between now and March, it's wise to start your renewal process early. INZ has become more strict with evidence requirements and is paying closer attention to renewals, which means it might take a bit more time and effort than before.

How long does the job check take?

INZ's processing time is only part of it. Job checks can typically take a week or so to process, but you also need to allow sufficient time for advertising the roles (if needed). At least 14 days for Skill Level 1–3 roles and 21 days for Skill Level 4–5 roles.

What does the AEWV application need?

Once the job check is approved, you send the job token to your candidate or Licensed Immigration Adviser. The quickest applications are (often) the ones where the candidate has their documents ready to go.

Qualifications and evidence of work experience, such as references backed by payslips or tax certificates
Police and medical certificates
English evidence for Skill Level 3–5 roles (see our post on the Skill Level 3 changes)

Police certificates and English tests can take weeks to arrange, so get your candidate started now.

Why does January slow everything down?

INZ keeps working over summer with a skeleton crew, but almost everyone else takes a break, including your own managers, referees, overseas authorities and panel doctors. INZ's requests for more information sit unanswered in the meantime. Your candidate still needs to resign, work their notice and book flights. That's how a February job start can drag into April.

So when should you start?

Work backwards from your start date. Processing times shift, so always check INZ's current figures. In mid-August 2026, INZ reported AEWV decisions averaging four weeks, with 80% completed within eight. Add two to three weeks of advertising, the job check, a notice period and the holiday slowdown. For a February start, that means getting things moving in October.