Immigration support for NZ employers

Corporate & employment immigration advisor

Keep your business compliant. Keep your best people.

Hiring migrant staff is essential for many New Zealand businesses - large, small and tradies - but immigration rules can be hard to follow, stressful to manage, and easy to get wrong.


That’s where expert support makes all the difference.

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You’re under pressure to get it right, but the process is anything but clear

Maybe you’ve finally found the right person for the job.


Maybe you’re trying to hold on to someone great.

Or maybe you’re relocating an employee from overseas and want the visa, timing, and transition managed with care.

Whatever your situation, the last thing you want is visa confusion holding things up or putting business at risk.

I help employers across New Zealand manage immigration properly, from employer accreditation to visa application support, so you can stay compliant, reduce stress, and focus on running your business.  

Before becoming a licensed immigration advisor over 17 years ago, I worked in many different roles in a variety of industries in New Zealand - I’ve seen the impact and importance of getting the right people.

  • “Cherie has been fantastic work with. Responds quickly and is really helpful in understanding what options are available and what needs to be done to make it happen. She is always staying on top of the latest immigration changes and is a trusted source when it comes to advice. I feel she has our best interests at heart. Friendly, professional and trustworthy. Highly recommend and will continue to use her in the future.”

    Andrew, Branch Manager, Unite Recruit

  • “Cherie has been my Immigration adviser for over 5.5 yrs.  During this time I have found her to be extremely honest, reliable, trustworthy and a valuable asset to our international recruitment processes and requirements.  Cherie offers sound, safe and reliable advice to ensure her clients the best possible opportunity for successful Visa Outcomes.  Being easy to converse with and a joy to work alongside, offering value for money services at very competitive pricing, I have personally found Cherie to be one of the best Immigration Advisers I have worked with and I highly recommend her services to both Employers and Visa Applicants.”


    TC, Managing director, Hair 2 Go Ltd

  • “I have worked with Cherie from Clockwork Visa for several years across different companies. Cherie is knowledgeable and she has always delivered, ensuring that I’m kept updated on progress and any challenges are worked through promptly.

    Cherie is a pleasure to deal with, friendly and professional and prompt with communication and delivering results. We have had 100% success rate when using Cherie,  I have and will continue to recommend her to use when it comes to the minefield and complexity of NZ immigration requirements.”

    Hazel Hack

    HR Manager - Henry Schein Dental NZ

Immigration decisions affect your people and your business

When you’re employing someone who needs a visa to work in New Zealand, immigration isn’t just a one-time task. 

It’s a moving process with rules, deadlines, and consequences and if something slips, your team could be the ones who pay the price.

Here are just a few real-life situations I help employers manage:

  • You’ve finally filled that role after months of recruiting. The candidate’s ideal, but they need a work visa. Suddenly, you’re faced with accreditation, job checks, evidence requirements, getting tokens and rules you didn’t know existed.

    You’re wondering if you can employ them? What’s the fastest way to get them onboard? If I employ them how long can they stay on that visa?


    I’ll guide you through each step so nothing gets missed and your new hire can get started with confidence.

  • You’ve been accredited before but the renewal date came and went, and now you’re stuck. Applications are delayed and your staff are starting to worry.

    I can check your current status, handle the renewal, and get things back on track without panic.

  • The sale and purchase agreement is nearly final, or you’ve just taken over. Everything looks in order… until someone mentions the migrant staff and employer-linked visas.

    Depending on how the business was structured, this could mean needing a new accreditation - and a full set of visa variations for your team. In some cases, the existing accreditation stays valid. In others, a new entity means starting again with Immigration NZ.

    It’s a critical detail, and one that’s easy to overlook.

    I’ll help you understand the immigration implications before the sale is final, get accredited if needed, and manage the visa changes quickly so your new staff stay compliant, secure, and on the job.

  • Like bookkeeping, financial planning, or staying across employment law, immigration requires ongoing attention, not just one-off fixes.

    I work with employers to plan ahead for the year: mapping out upcoming recruitment, managing accreditation renewals, and making sure job checks, visa processes, and compliance requirements are handled before they become urgent.

    This kind of strategic planning reduces stress, keeps you on the right side of Immigration NZ, and protects your ability to hire when you need to. 

    Because once things go wrong, it’s much harder to fix.

  • You’ve submitted a visa or accreditation application, but now Immigration NZ has come back with questions. 

    Asking for more evidence, clarification, or a response to concerns.

    This can feel stressful, especially if you're unsure what triggered the request or how to respond.

    I’ll review the request and everything you’ve already submitted. I’ll help you understand what’s needed, advise on any remedial actions, and prepare a clear, professional response. 

    I can also step in and communicate directly with Immigration NZ on your behalf, so you’re not left guessing what to do next.

  • You’ve posted the listing, interviewed candidates, and made a genuine offer. But now it turns out your new hire needs a visa, and Immigration NZ is reviewing the job check.

    If the listing didn’t meet the job check requirements, that application may have to be declined.

    I’ll review your documentation and advise what can be adjusted. If the job check hasn’t been lodged yet, I can help you align the listing and process before it’s submitted. 

    If it’s already in, I’ll help you understand your options and the next steps, so you’re not caught off guard.

  • They didn’t say anything, and now the deadline’s close. You’re not sure if they’ve applied, or what your responsibilities are.

    I’ll step in, check what’s been done, and help both of you understand what happens next.

  • You’ve got great migrant staff and you don’t want to lose them but you’re unsure what their visa pathway is, or what role you play.

    I’ll explain your options and help you build a plan that works for both of you.

You don’t need to know all the rules.

You just need someone who does and who can walk you through it with care, structure, and straight answers.

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How I support New Zealand employers

Full-service, start-to-finish application support

I’m a licensed immigration adviser with over 15 years of experience and a background in business, and HR, so I understand the pressures employers face. 

I don’t just give advice and checklists and leave you to it. I offer full-service support, carefully managing every detail of your application from start to finish. 

Clients often say I’m calm, responsive, and easy to work with and that they feel genuinely supported throughout the process. 

This is real help for real people.

MEET CHERIE

Here’s what I can help you with:

  • Employer accreditation

  • Job check applications

  • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

  • Eligibility assessment services for current and future employees. 

  • Residence and long-term retention strategies

  • Immigration advice for restructuring or business changes

You’ll always know what’s happening, what’s needed, and what comes next.

Here’s how we’ll get started

Get on the phone


I’ll ask about your situation and what you need help with

Get a clear plan


I’ll explain the steps, documentation, and timeframes so you know exactly where you stand.

Let me handle it


I’ll prepare and manage the application, so you can get back to running your business.

cherie@clockworkvisa.co.nz
021 533 687

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It’s quick, obligation-free, and the first step to doing it properly.

For your team: what happens after the visa is approved

Getting the visa is just one step. If your employee wants to bring family over, stay longer, or apply for residence, I can help them too.

See how I support individuals and families

FAQs

  • In most cases, yes, especially if you're supporting an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or a Skilled Migrant Category Residence application (this may include Skilled Migrant Category, Green List Straight to Residence, Green List Work to Residence, Transport Sector Work to Residence and Care Workforce Sector Work to Residence).

    But there are exceptions.

    Some visa types don’t require employer accreditation. These include open work visas, such as those based on partnership, post-study work rights, or working holiday schemes. Specific purpose visas, like secondments from offshore entities, may also be exempt.

    If you’re unsure, I can review the visa type and advise you on whether accreditation is needed. And if it is, I’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.

  • Absolutely. I can review what you’ve done, fix any issues, and help you move forward with confidence and a clear plan.

  • Yes. I often collaborate with internal teams to manage the immigration side of hiring and compliance.

  • I’ll flag risks early, help you fix problems, and keep your business on the right side of the rules.

Ready to take immigration off your plate?

Book a call today and let’s talk about how I can support your business and your people.

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