Post-accreditation checks put employer records to the test

Immigration New Zealand had undertaken 9,551 post-accreditation checks on 6,566 employers as at 31 August 2026. A check can occur at any time while an employer is accredited, through a desk review or site visit.

These checks are a routine part of the Accredited Employer Work Visa system. They test whether the employer continues to meet the commitments made when it obtained accreditation. For businesses recruiting migrant workers, the issue is whether day-to-day practices and records support those commitments when Immigration New Zealand asks to see them.

What might Immigration New Zealand ask for?

The request will depend on the employer and its accreditation type.

Immigration New Zealand may look at whether the business is viable and genuinely operating, holds the correct accreditation, meets its employment, business and immigration obligations, and provides required support to migrant workers. A check may draw on records already held in payroll, human resources and operational systems.

Employers do not need to create a separate record for every accreditation requirement where an existing system captures the necessary information. They do need to be able to find it and explain how it shows compliance.

Employer readiness checklist

• Accreditation: Confirm that the business holds the correct type of accreditation for its recruitment model and number of migrant workers.
• Worker visa conditions: Keep a reliable process for checking visa status, expiry dates and any conditions relevant to the work performed.
• Employment records: Be able to produce agreements, hours, wages, leave and payroll records that match actual practice.
• Settlement support: Record when and how the required settlement information was given to Accredited Employer Work Visa workers.
• Business changes: Check whether changes to key people, business structure or the way workers are placed create notification or accreditation obligations.
• Third-party placements: If workers are placed with another business, review the additional requirements that apply to triangular accreditation.

New Zealand Immigration Partners works with employers beyond the initial accreditation application. Our team helps businesses connect recruitment and visa activity with their ongoing obligations, and respond clearly when Immigration New Zealand requests information.

If your business has received a post-accreditation check request, or wants to assess its readiness, contact our employer team with the request and the response deadline.‍