Why Bangladeshi Workers Choose New Zealand
New Zealand's main work-visa route, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), requires the employer to be pre-vetted ("accredited") by Immigration New Zealand before they can even advertise a role to a migrant worker — a structural safeguard that makes fraudulent job offers considerably harder to sustain than in less-regulated markets.
নিউজিল্যান্ডের প্রধান ওয়ার্ক ভিসা AEWV-তে নিয়োগকর্তাকে আগে থেকেই ইমিগ্রেশন নিউজিল্যান্ড কর্তৃক স্বীকৃত (অ্যাক্রেডিটেড) হতে হয়।
The Green List is a genuine fast-track to residence: a set of occupations facing severe long-term shortages (including certain engineering, healthcare, and trades roles) qualify for a "straight to residence" pathway rather than the standard temporary-then-residence route most other visa categories require.
গ্রিন লিস্ট একটি প্রকৃত দ্রুত বসবাসের পথ: নির্দিষ্ট কিছু পেশা সরাসরি বসবাসের সুযোগ পায়।
Job Market & In-Demand Sectors
Construction & Trades
Carpenters, electricians, and civil engineers are in persistent shortage across New Zealand's construction sector.
Healthcare
Registered nurses and aged-care workers feature prominently on the Green List's straight-to-residence occupations.
Agriculture & Horticulture
Dairy farm assistants and horticultural workers are recruited under sector-specific AEWV arrangements.
Hospitality & Tourism
Chefs and hospitality staff are recruited by accredited employers, particularly in tourist regions.
Occupations in Highest Demand
সর্বোচ্চ চাহিদাসম্পন্ন পেশা: Registered Nurse, Civil Engineer, Electrician, Chef, Dairy Farm Assistant.
Costs & Earnings
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Median wage-based salary requirement | Confirm the current AEWV median wage threshold, revised periodically |
| AEWV application fee | NZD 750, non-refundable even if declined |
| Employer accreditation and job check fees | Borne by the employer, not the worker |
New Zealand law requires most AEWV roles to meet or exceed the median wage threshold, which is reviewed periodically — always confirm the current figure, since offers below it are generally not eligible for a standard AEWV.
অধিকাংশ AEWV পদকে মধ্যম মজুরির সীমা পূরণ করতে হয়, যা পর্যায়ক্রমে পর্যালোচিত হয়।
Pathways & Employer Accreditation
Employer Accreditation — the New Zealand employer must first be accredited by Immigration New Zealand, then pass a "Job Check" for the specific role, before a worker can even receive a "job token" to apply for the AEWV.
Green List straight-to-residence roles — certain long-term shortage occupations bypass the usual temporary-to-residence sequence, letting eligible workers apply for residence directly once employed in a qualifying role.
Verify your employer's accreditation status on Immigration New Zealand's public register before accepting any job offer — an unaccredited "employer" cannot legally sponsor an AEWV, regardless of what a recruiting agent claims.
Visa & Documentation — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- A valid passport.
- A "job token" issued by your accredited employer.
- Evidence you have the skills and experience required for the job.
- A police certificate from Bangladesh.
- A medical examination and chest x-ray certificate.
- Proof of good character and health, per Immigration New Zealand's requirements.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure a job offer from an Immigration New Zealand-accredited employer — verify their accreditation status independently.
- Employer completes the Job Check for the specific role with Immigration New Zealand.
- Employer issues you a "job token" once the Job Check is approved.
- Apply for the AEWV online through the Immigration New Zealand website using the job token.
- Complete your medical examination and police certificate as required.
- Submit your passport at VFS Global Dhaka once your application is approved in principle.
- Travel to New Zealand; if in a Green List role, explore your straight-to-residence eligibility once employed.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| AEWV application fee | NZD 750, non-refundable |
| Employer accreditation/Job Check fees | Borne by the employer |
High Commission & VAC in Bangladesh
New Zealand does not have a resident High Commission in Bangladesh; applications are processed online and managed by the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi, India.
You must submit your passport and any required biometrics at the Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in Dhaka:
Delta Life Tower, 4th Floor, Plot #37, Road #90, Gulshan North, Dhaka-1212
Application Tips
- Check Immigration New Zealand's public accredited employer list before accepting any offer.
- Ask specifically whether your intended role is on the Green List — this materially changes your residence timeline.
- Keep your job token and Job Check reference for your own records throughout the process.
Employer Obligations
The New Zealand employer bears the cost of accreditation and the Job Check, and must meet the applicable median wage threshold for the role — these costs cannot legally be passed on to the worker.
নিউজিল্যান্ডের নিয়োগকর্তা অ্যাক্রেডিটেশন ও জব চেকের খরচ বহন করেন, যা শ্রমিকের উপর চাপানো যায় না।
Worker Rights & Protections
| Protection | Details |
|---|---|
| Employment New Zealand oversight | Handles minimum wage, working-hours, and workplace dispute complaints independent of the employer |
| Employer accreditation compliance checks | Immigration New Zealand can revoke an employer's accreditation for migrant worker exploitation, a genuine enforcement lever |
| Bangladesh High Commission (New Delhi, covering New Zealand) | Handles worker complaints and consular assistance |
The accreditation system gives migrant workers a concrete enforcement channel: reporting exploitation to Immigration New Zealand can result in an employer losing their accreditation entirely, which is a stronger structural deterrent than exists in many unregulated labour markets.
অ্যাক্রেডিটেশন ব্যবস্থা শ্রমিকদের একটি বাস্তব প্রয়োগ চ্যানেল দেয় — শোষণের অভিযোগে নিয়োগকর্তার অ্যাক্রেডিটেশন বাতিল হতে পারে।
Typical Processing Timeline
Secure Job Offer & Verify Accreditation
Confirm your employer's accreditation status before proceeding.
Job Check & Job Token
Employer completes the Job Check and issues your job token.
AEWV Application & Medicals
Apply online, complete medical exam and police certificate.
Passport Submission & Travel
Submit your passport at VFS Global Dhaka, then travel to New Zealand.
FAQ
What if my employer isn't accredited? They cannot legally sponsor an AEWV — verify accreditation on Immigration New Zealand's public register before accepting any offer.
What is the Green List? A set of long-term shortage occupations that qualify for a straight-to-residence pathway, bypassing the standard temporary-then-residence sequence.
Who pays the accreditation and Job Check fees? The employer — these costs cannot legally be passed on to the worker under New Zealand's immigration rules.