Visas for your Employees

Accredited Employer Work Visas

Most migrant workers who wish to work in New Zealand will need to secure an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). This visa is available if an employer can prove there are no suitable and available New Zealand workers for the role. The migrant worker must also show that they have the correct skills and knowledge for the role and that they meet all other basic requirements, such as health and character.

The employer must first be accredited and have completed a ‘Job Check’ for the role before offering the role and supporting the migrant worker to secure the visa (Migrant Check). Employers should consider all ‘stages’ together: we often find that unrepresented employers and their employees experience issues at the Migrant Check stage because of incorrect information that was given during the Job Check stage. If in doubt, seek assistance at the beginning of the process to avoid delays and possible declines.

Green List Visas – Straight to Residence and Two-year Pathway to Residence

New Zealand, like most other developed countries, experiences significant long term skill shortages in many key industries. The Green List is our list of recognized skills shortages, where there are streamlined visa pathways available for international candidates.

From straight-forward applications to complex ones that need a robust approach, we have extensive experience assisting employers and their employees/prospective employees, both onshore and offshore, to create residency pathways for long term settlement outcomes under this policy.

Visas for International Assignments and Other Visas

Lane Neave supports a wide range of New Zealand employers to secure visas for migrants coming here on an international assignment or secondment from abroad, including for work or business that is being conducted without the need for a New Zealand employment agreement.

This visa type is available for workers relocating to New Zealand for a specific period (up to three years initially for most) and is wide ranging.  These include intra-corporate transferees, long term business commitments, installers of specialised machinery and professional sports people, amongst others.

Importantly, New Zealand businesses do not require accreditation to support a worker into New Zealand under this Category.  It is also a highly flexible policy that allows for ‘unusual’ business situations, so if your situation is a little different and does not appear to meet the regulations under the AEWV, get in touch.

Fishing Crew Vessels

With one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world, New Zealand’s immigration system manages the flow of international fishing crew working on both foreign and local fishing vessels in our waters.

Working with a range of fishing companies, from both New Zealand and overseas, Lane Neave is adept at managing the entry of large crews (often at short notice) across the entire fishing season.  We work with fishing employers to develop robust and practical workforce plans that create certainty and take the stress out of recruitment.

Seasonal Employment in Horticulture and Viticulture

Our regions are still the backbone of the New Zealand economy. Lane Neave works with land-based New Zealand employers in horticulture and wine-growing industries, as well as their agents in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, to ensure their workforce needs are met and their workers are well-supported in New Zealand.