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Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that improving processing times for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications is a high priority. With the goal of providing quicker visa decisions, INZ is working hard to make the application process smoother for employers and workers alike. Here’s a closer look at the recent updates and what they mean for AEWV applicants.

Streamlining the Accredited Employer Work Visa Process

INZ has recognized that a faster visa process is essential for businesses and workers who rely on these permits. With delays and backlogs impacting many, INZ is now making deliberate changes to manage and prioritize AEWV applications more effectively.

One major step is grouping similar applications together. For instance, applications from the same sector, location, or with similar job types are processed by dedicated teams. This allows applications to be assessed at the same time, cutting down the overall processing time. Grouping applications like this also allows INZ to focus its resources on specific sectors that need a quicker response, such as hospitality and green-list roles.

Priority Categories for Efficient AEWV Processing

To better manage applications, INZ is prioritizing specific types of AEWV applications weekly. These priority areas will be reviewed regularly to ensure the most pressing applications are handled first.

As of November 2024, the following AEWV applications will be prioritized:

1. Employer Accreditation: INZ will prioritize applications from employers whose interim accreditation is expiring within six weeks.
2. Job Checks for High-Demand Roles: Jobs on New Zealand’s Green List and those at ANZSCO skill level 1 (high-skilled roles) or level 2 hospitality roles will be prioritized. These positions often need quick processing to meet demand in essential sectors. Job Check applications made within the last ten days also receive priority.
3. Employer Accreditation Expiry: Employers with accreditation set to expire before November 30, 2024, must renew their accreditation. If they do not submit a renewal within five days of notification, ongoing Job Check or work visa applications could be declined.
4. Applications for Visa Extensions and Work-Right Adjustments: Visa holders currently on an interim visa without work rights and those transitioning from a previous visa with open work rights will be prioritized to ensure they can continue working smoothly.

Importance of Complete and Accurate Applications

While INZ has sped up processing for some applications, they stress the importance of submitting complete applications. If applications lack required evidence or documentation, it may lead to delays, even if the application is otherwise prioritized.

Key Tip: Employers and applicants should double-check that all necessary documents are included before submitting, as this will help INZ process the application faster.

What Happens if Your Application Isn’t a Priority?

For applications that don’t fall under the priority categories, INZ will still process them in the order they were received, from oldest to newest. This helps keep the process fair and ensures that all applications are handled within a reasonable time frame.

Final Steps for Accredited Employer Work Visa Applications

If your application falls under the AEWV category, you should regularly check the status and update any expired documents, especially if your employer’s accreditation is about to expire. With these recent changes, INZ is committed to providing better, faster responses to employers and skilled workers. However, INZ reminds applicants that the time taken to reach a decision depends on the quality and completeness of the application.

Quick Recap

Immigration New Zealand’s updates show a strong commitment to improving AEWV processing for employers and skilled workers. By prioritizing critical sectors and grouping similar applications, they are actively working to reduce processing times and make visa decisions faster and more efficient. For applicants, ensuring their application is thorough, accurate, and complete is the best way to benefit from these improvements.

For more details and assistance with your application, feel free to contact us.