Work Visa
General Requirements
- Lodging an application for temporary entry;
- Bona fide applicant;
- Health and character; and
- Evidence to show that:
a) applicant is suitably qualified by training and experience to do the job being offered;
b) meets any of the necessary New Zealand registration requirements, if applicable; or
c) have an offer of employment in an occupation that requires registration and evidence from the New Zealand Medical or Dental Council that they are eligible for full or provisional registration subject only to attending a personal interview with a Council representative within one month of their arrival in New Zealand.
Essential Skills Work Category
Requirements:
1. Job offer must be included in the ANZSCO list of occupations as to:
■ skill level (ranging from skill level one for the highest skilled positions, to skill level five for the lowest skilled);
■ tasks and duties normally undertaken in an occupation; and
■ The level of the qualification and/or amount of work experience required to work in an occupation.
2. Genuine attempt/s to recruit New Zealanders (‘labour market test’)
3. Health and Character
4. Recognised qualifications and/or relevant work experience
Duration of Essential Skills work visa:
Essential Skills work visas will usually be issued with a maximum duration of three years where an applicant’s job offer is for an occupation classified as an ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2 or 3. However, there is a special instruction allowing a visa of up to five years if:
■ your New Zealand job offer is for a position which is classified as skill level one on the ANZSCO
■ your base salary is at least $55,000
You may only obtain a five year visa once. If you wish to continue working, and still meet the requirements of Essential Skills work category, you may apply as normal for a visa with a three year maximum duration. Visas for successful applicants whose application is based on an employment offer for an occupation classified as ANZSCO Skill Level 4 or 5 will be granted for a maximum duration of one year.
Study to Work Visa Category
This category applies to students who are studying in New Zealand and intend to stay and work in NZ after completion of their studies. All applicants need to meet NZ’s health and character requirements. The other requirements that need to be met depend on whether or not there is a job offer.
Family Work (Family Stream)
If you want to join your partner in New Zealand and work, you may be eligible for a work visa under the Family Stream.
Requirements:
■ Health and Character
■ Evidence that you are living together with your partner in a genuine and stable relationship at the time the application is made.
■ Your partner must:
○ be eligible to support you
○ meet the character requirement for partners supporting partnership-based temporary entry applications’
○ intend to be in New Zealand for the period you apply for in your application
Student or Trainee Work Instructions
If you are a student or trainee who needs work experience to complete or further your study or training, you can apply for a Work Visa under this classification provided you meet the following requirements:
■ Health and character requirements
■ Evidence of support of your educational institution
■ Evidence of an offer of work from a New Zealand education institution or employer
Silver Fern Job Search
The Silver Fern Job Search visa allows young skilled people to enter New Zealand for nine months to search for skilled employment. There is a limit of 300 places per year. The quota opens at 10:00am on 27 April.
Requirements:
■ you must be outside of New Zealand
■ be aged between 20 and 35
■ meet all of the qualifications requirements,
■ English language requirements, and
■ have enough funds to support yourself during your stay.
The application process and payment will be online. Applicants will have to provide evidence they meet the requirements to an Immigration New Zealand branch for assessment and verification.
Silver Fern Practical Experience
Holders of Silver Fern Job Search visas who successfully find skilled employment in New Zealand may apply for a Silver Fern Practical Experience visa. This will allow them to work in that employment for up to two years.
Requirements:
■ must hold a Silver Fern Job Search visa,
■ have an offer of skilled employment that meets our requirements, and
■ hold occupational registration if it is required for the job.
There is no annual limit to the number of people who can apply for the Silver Fern Practical Experience visa.
Specific Purpose or Event Instructions
Under this classification, you may be granted a Work Visa if you are coming to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event for which your skills, attributes or expertise will benefit New Zealand and you are one of these specific enumerations:
■ Senior or specialist businessperson
■ A sports referee with a written invitation or schedule of events invited to referee sports events in New Zealand.
■ Judge of a show, display or exhibition, with a written invitation or schedule of events, invited to judge shows, displays, or exhibitions.
■ Dance or music examiner of a recognised international teaching institution with a written invitation or offer of employment to conduct examinations in New Zealand.
■ A pastor or lay missionary with a written guarantee of accommodation, maintenance and repatriation from a sponsoring body in New Zealand.
■ An installer or servicer of specialised equipment or machinery who can show that installing or servicing the equipment is a condition of purchase.
■ An entertainer, performing artist, film or video crew or support personnel.
A business investor whose residence application has been approved in principle and who is coming to NewZealand to investigate investment opportunities.
■ A chief executive or senior staff member of a multinational company for which similar applications have been approved.
■ A sports player, a referee or professional coach with a written offer of employment from a New Zealand sports club.
■ A Philippine nurse seeking entry to obtain New Zealand occupational registration with a written offer of employment from a District Health Board and proof you have been accepted for the Nursing Council’s Competence Assessment Programme.
In addition, you need to comply with these requirements:
■ A proof that you need a work visa for the length of time requested
■ A job offer, invitation or schedule of events that describe your intended employment in New Zealand
■ A proof that you have the qualifications or experience relevant to the position or event
■ A proof that you are able to meet your living costs
■ That you intend to leave New Zealand when your employment is completed.
Working Holiday Visa
Under this scheme citizens from Argentina, Canada, Belgium, Chile, Uruguay, Korea, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Malaysia, Malta, Taiwan, Singapore, Hongkong, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Brazil, China, Czech, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Mexico, Norway, Polland, Peru, Slovenia, Spain and Thailand may travel to NZ and undertake employment during their stay.