Job Check Application NZ
A Job Check is the step every accredited New Zealand employer must pass before they can offer a role to a migrant worker on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). It is Immigration New Zealand’s way of confirming that a job is real, pays fairly, and could not be filled by a New Zealander first. Without an approved Job Check, a migrant cannot apply for an AEWV, so this stage sits right at the heart of every successful hire.
At Ezy Immigration, we help employers across New Zealand prepare a strong, accurate Job Check application from day one. We check your job description, pay rates, advertising evidence and employment agreement details against Immigration New Zealand’s current rules, so your application is not sent back for something that could have been fixed early. If you are only starting the wider process, our full migration assessment can show you where the Job Check fits alongside employer accreditation and your worker’s own visa needs.
What Is a Job Check?
Think of the Job Check as a report card for the job itself, not the person who will do it. Immigration New Zealand looks at the role you are offering and asks simple questions. Does it pay the going rate? Is the workplace safe and lawful? Did you give New Zealanders a fair chance to apply first? Only once these questions are answered well does the Job Check get approved, and only then can your chosen migrant worker lodge their own AEWV application.
A Job Check is tied to one employer and one type of role. If you want to hire for two different jobs, in two different locations, you will usually need two separate applications. This is one of the small details that trips people up, and it is exactly the sort of thing our team checks before you press submit.
Common Job Check Challenges We Solve
Most employers do not fail a Job Check because their business is unsuitable. They fail because of small, avoidable errors. A pay rate that sits just under the required threshold. An advertisement that ran for thirteen days instead of the required fourteen. An employment agreement missing one of the clauses Immigration New Zealand insists on. Each of these can lead to a decline, a delay, or a request for more evidence, and every extra week is a week your business is short-staffed.
We have sat with employers who advertised correctly but forgot to keep proof of where the advert appeared. We have seen roles knocked back because the wrong occupation code was chosen. Our job is to catch these issues before Immigration New Zealand does, so your application has the best chance of being approved the first time.
Why Employers Choose Ezy Immigration
Employers come to us because immigration rules change often, and getting them wrong is costly in time and money. Our team keeps a close eye on Immigration New Zealand’s requirements, including pay rate calculations, advertising rules and the paperwork now needed since the Job Check form was updated. We combine this with genuine care for your business, because we know a Job Check is rarely just paperwork. It usually means a role you urgently need to fill.
We also look at the bigger picture. A Job Check does not exist alone. It follows employer accreditation and leads towards a migrant’s AEWV, so we make sure each stage lines up properly rather than treating them as separate boxes to tick. You can read more about the visas this supports on our New Zealand visas page, or see how past clients found the process by visiting our testimonials.
What Our Job Check Service Covers
Our support is built around the parts of the application that cause the most problems. We review your job description and confirm it matches an accurate occupation code, since choosing the wrong one can lead to an automatic decline. We check your pay rate against current wage requirements, factoring in allowances, deductions and hours of work. If advertising is required for your role, we confirm your advert meets the content and timing rules, including the fourteen to twenty-one day minimum depending on the skill level of the job.
We also help you prepare the declarations Immigration New Zealand now asks for directly in the form, covering why the role is needed, the size of your business, and how many New Zealanders you currently employ. Finally, we check that your employment agreement includes every required clause, from paid leave entitlements to the rule that trial periods are no longer permitted for these roles.
How the Job Check Application Works
Getting from “we need to hire someone” to an approved Job Check follows a fairly consistent path, even though the details differ for every business.
First, we confirm your accreditation is active and check whether your intended role needs to be advertised or discussed with Work and Income. Second, if advertising is required, we help you write and place a compliant job listing and keep the evidence you will need later. Third, we prepare your Job Check application in Immigration Online, covering the job description, pay details, business information and employment agreement declarations. Fourth, we review everything with you before it is lodged and submit the application along with the correct fee. Fifth, we track the application and respond quickly if Immigration New Zealand asks for anything further, right through to approval.
Once your Job Check is approved, it is generally valid for six months, giving your chosen migrant worker a window to lodge their own AEWV application. If you are still working out whether your business qualifies for accreditation at all, our free assessment is a good place to start.
Job Check at a Glance
| Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
|
Who applies |
An accredited AEWV employer, on behalf of a specific role
|
|
Current government fee |
NZD $735 per Job Check application |
|
Advertising period (if required) |
14 days for most roles, 21 days for lower-skilled roles |
|
Typical validity once approved |
Around 6 months |
|
Exempt from advertising |
Roles on the Green List, or paying at least NZD $70 an hour |
|
Next step after approval |
The migrant worker applies for their AEWV |
Figures above reflect current Immigration New Zealand fee and policy settings and may change, so we always confirm the latest requirements before you apply.
DIY Job Check vs. Working with Ezy Immigration
Some employers choose to complete a Job Check themselves, and for a simple, well-understood role, that can work. Where things usually go wrong is with pay rate calculations, occupation codes, or advertising evidence that does not quite meet the rules, and any of these can mean a decline and a lost fee. Working with our team means a second, experienced set of eyes on your application before it is lodged, help gathering evidence Immigration New Zealand actually accepts, and support if a request for more information lands in your inbox. You keep control of your hiring decision. We simply make the paperwork side less stressful.
“A Job Check is not a formality. It is Immigration New Zealand testing whether your job offer, your pay rate and your business practices all line up with New Zealand law, and getting it right the first time saves weeks of waiting.”
Ready to Start Your Job Check?
If you have a role to fill and accreditation already in place, there is no need to work through the Job Check form alone. Our team can review what you have so far, flag anything likely to cause a delay, and help you lodge a complete application with confidence. Reach out through Ezy Immigration and we will talk you through what your business needs next.
Get Your Job Check Right, First Time
A Job Check is a small form with a big impact on your hiring timeline. Getting the occupation code, pay rate, advertising and employment agreement details right the first time is almost always faster and cheaper than fixing a decline later. Ezy Immigration has helped employers across many industries prepare Job Check applications that meet Immigration New Zealand’s requirements, so their migrant workers can move on to their AEWV without unnecessary delay. To learn more about who we are and how we work, visit our About Us page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Job Check application in New Zealand?
A Job Check is an application an accredited employer makes to Immigration New Zealand before offering a role to a migrant worker on an Accredited Employer Work Visa. It checks that the job is genuine, pays correctly, follows employment law, and was fairly advertised to New Zealanders first. It must be approved before the migrant can apply for their own visa, so it is a key early step in any hire.
- Who is eligible to apply for a Job Check?
Only employers already holding active AEWV accreditation can apply for a Job Check. You will also need an available spot within your accreditation type, whether that is standard accreditation for up to five migrants at a time or high-volume accreditation for larger numbers of hires, plus a genuine, lawful role to offer.
- How do I apply for a Job Check as an employer in NZ?
You apply through Immigration Online using your RealMe login. The form asks for a job description, pay details, advertising evidence if your role is not exempt, information about your business size, and a declaration that your employment agreement meets New Zealand employment law, before you pay the application fee.
- What is the official website to submit a Job Check application?
Job Check applications are submitted through Immigration New Zealand’s Immigration Online portal, accessible via immigration.govt.nz. Employers must have a RealMe login and active accreditation before they can start the application, and it is worth double-checking every detail before you lodge it.
- How long does a Job Check application take to process?
Processing times vary depending on demand, the complexity of the role, and how complete your application is. Some are approved within a week or two, while others take longer, particularly if Immigration New Zealand requests extra information. Checking your evidence carefully before lodging is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.
- What documents are needed for a Job Check submission?
You will typically need a detailed job description, pay rate information, proof of advertising if your role is not exempt, evidence about your business size and current New Zealand staff numbers, plus a declaration confirming your employment agreement meets legal requirements, including paid leave and maximum working hours.
- How much does a Job Check application cost in New Zealand?
The current Immigration New Zealand fee for a Job Check application is NZD $735 per application. This is separate from your employer accreditation fees and the migrant worker’s own AEWV visa fee, which are paid at different stages, so it pays to budget for the whole journey rather than one step alone.
- Can I track the progress of my Job Check application?
Yes. Once lodged, your application status is visible through your Immigration Online account at any time. Immigration New Zealand will also contact you directly by email if they need further information, request more evidence, or once a final decision has been made on your application.
- Where can I find guidance on Job Check compliance for employers?
Immigration New Zealand publishes detailed checklists and guidance on its official website, but the rules are updated fairly often and can be easy to misread. Working with an experienced adviser, such as the team at Ezy Immigration, helps you stay compliant with the latest pay, advertising and employment agreement requirements.
- What happens after my Job Check is approved?
Once approved, your Job Check is generally valid for around six months from the approval date. Your chosen migrant worker can then use it to lodge their own Accredited Employer Work Visa application, which is assessed separately, based on their own skills, experience and character requirements.
What is your next step for preparing and submitting your NZ Job Check?
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New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser and Australia Registered Migration Agents
IAA # 201300919
LIAA Member
MARA # 2117455
Struggling to meet strict INZ advertising rules or wage compliance checks? Ezy Immigration takes the guesswork out of your Job Check submission. Schedule a strategy session with our licensed advisers to protect your application from costly delays and pave the way for your migrant worker’s AEWV.
Success Stories
Hear from skilled professionals we have helped successfully migrate to New Zealand.
- What You Get From Your Free Job Check Assessment
Ready to secure Job Check approval and bring skilled migrant workers onboard? Take our quick 2-minute evaluation to see if your vacancy meets INZ standards before you submit. It’s 100% free, straightforward, and risk-free. You’ll get clear, strategic guidance on market testing rules, wage thresholds, and contract requirements so you can hire with total confidence
- We evaluate your position against current INZ wage thresholds
- We audit your job description and market testing evidence
- We map out a clear pathway to AEWV readiness
- Your company data remains 100% secure and protected