On October 14, 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that it is currently managing a system limitation that affects how employees on Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWVs) are linked to employers following a business sale or restructure.
The system is unable to automatically create or update job tokens in these scenarios, which makes it difficult to maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records. To address this, INZ has introduced a manual process as a temporary solution.
What employers need to know
To make sure AEWV workers are properly linked to their new employer, a new job check application needs to be submitted. This creates a job token and completes the formal connection in the INZ system. This step is important for keeping immigration records accurate, especially so workers can apply for the rest of their visa under the maximum continuous stay rules.
INZ will reach out directly to affected employers with clear, step-by-step instructions to help guide them through the process, and will waive the job check fee.
Looking ahead
Work is underway to develop a long-term system solution, expected to be available next year. This will streamline processes and reduce the need for manual intervention.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.