Made redundant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): what happens to your visa?

First: take a breath, then act this week

Being made redundant is stressful anywhere. On a work visa that depends on your employer, it can feel like the ground has gone. It helps to know that this is a very common situation, that migrant workers have the same employment rights as everyone else, and that there are clear options. What matters most is acting promptly.

This guide is general information as at October 2026, not immigration or legal advice. Visa rules change often and every situation is different, so check the linked Immigration New Zealand (INZ) pages and talk to a licensed immigration adviser before you act.

What your AEWV actually lets you do

• An AEWV lets you work only for the employer, in the job and at the location named in your visa conditions.
• When that employment ends, you are no longer able to work under the visa. Working somewhere else without an approved change risks a breach of your visa conditions, which can lead to deportation action and affects future applications.
• The visa itself normally stays valid until its expiry date, so you are generally not unlawful on day one. But you can't use it to work for a different employer until INZ approves the change.
• You also can't work a second job on an AEWV.

What your employer must do

Accredited employers must tell INZ when an AEWV worker stops working for them. INZ's April 2024 AEWV changes notice described this as within 10 working days where the worker leaves a month or more before their visa expires. Employers who don't meet their accreditation requirements can have accreditation suspended or revoked. INZ also asks employers to contact it early about restructures, redundancies, bankruptcy or liquidation.

• Employers must follow New Zealand employment law, including a genuine redundancy process: a real business reason, consultation, and fair treatment. See our redundancy rights guide.
• Employers don't have to pay redundancy compensation unless it is in your employment agreement or workplace policy, or you have agreed it with them. Check yours.
• You are owed your final pay, including notice (worked or paid in lieu, depending on your agreement) and unused annual holidays.
• If your employer is moving you to a new job within the restructure, you may need a Job Change before starting the new role. Working in a different job on your current visa can create trouble for both of you.

Your options at a glance

Money while you sort out your visa

Most temporary visa holders can't get Jobseeker Support (it needs citizenship or a residence class visa). Our Work and Income guide for temporary visa holders explains what is and isn't available, including community food help. Plan your cash carefully: our money runway tool can show how long your savings last.

A simple plan for the next 7 days

1. Read your visa conditions (on your visa label or via INZ's check or change your work visa conditions page) and note the expiry date.
2. Contact INZ (0508 558 855 from within New Zealand) or book a licensed adviser. Some advisers offer a free first chat; community law centres and CAB can point you to free help.
3. Start applying to accredited employers. You can check whether an employer is accredited on INZ's accredited employer list.
4. Make sure you have your final pay, payslips, employment agreement and a reference.
5. If the job ended in an unfair way, note the 90-day personal grievance deadline.
6. Look after yourself. Free call or text 1737 any time.