New Zealand Work Visas: Complete Guide 2023

New Zealand has established itself as a country with a robust and flourishing economy, providing abundant opportunities for job seekers across various industries. With its high standard of living, diverse sectors such as agriculture, tourism, technology, healthcare, and education offer enticing prospects for those seeking employment. Additionally, the demand for skilled professionals in specific fields makes it easier for qualified individuals to find work in the country.

Moreover, New Zealand offers different pathways for immigration, allowing those who have worked in the country for a period to have options for settling down permanently. Therefore, considering working in New Zealand can lead to a stable economy, a great lifestyle, and opportunities for long-term growth. You can also find visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand from your home country.

What Are the Types of New Zealand Work Visas?

1. Accredited Employer Work Visa

If you have received a job offer from an accredited employer, you are eligible to apply for an Accredited Employer Work visa. To qualify, the employer must have offered you a minimum of 30 hours of work per week. The duration of your visa will depend on your salary. If you are paid at or above the New Zealand median wage of NZD $29.66 per hour, your visa will be valid for up to 3 years. However, if you are paid below the median wage, your visa will be valid for up to two years.

You may be able to support visa applications for your partner, as well as visitor or student visas for your dependent children. However, you can only support your dependent child’s visitor or student visa if you earn a minimum of NZD $43,322.76 per year. This visa allows you to study for up to three months within any one-year period.

2. New Zealand Diplomatic Visa

You can apply for a New Zealand Diplomatic visa if you are a domestic worker for diplomatic, consular, or official staff posted in New Zealand. Your application must be supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. When your visa application is approved, you can go to New Zealand to do domestic work for your employer. Your visa has the same validity as your employer’s posting in New Zealand. However, you need to leave if your work ends before your employer’s posting does.

3. Entertainers Work Visa

The Entertainers Work visa allows you to work in the video, film, or production industry in New Zealand. You qualify for this visa if you have particular skills and experience that the entertainment industry of New Zealand lacks. Besides the identity, health, and character requirements, you must have an offer of entertainment work to apply for an Entertainers Work NZ visa.

New Zealand has a thriving entertainment sector with various opportunities in film, television, theater, music, and other performing arts. The Entertainers Work Visa can provide you with the chance to explore and tap into this dynamic industry.

4. Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa

You can apply for a Long Term Skill Shortage List visa if you have worked for more than two years in New Zealand with a Long Term Work visa. You must be in New Zealand when you apply, and when you are granted residence, you can work and study whatever you like.

To qualify, you need to have ongoing, full-time employment in an occupation that was listed on the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) when you were granted your work visa or an occupation that is currently on the LTSSL at the time of your residence application.

5. Post Study Work Visa

The NZ Post Study Work visa enables you to work in New Zealand for three years if you have currently finished your studies in New Zealand. It provides an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in your field of study, which can enhance your resume and increase your employment prospects. You can work for any employer in any job if you have a degree level 7 or above qualification. If your qualification is non-degree level 7 or below, you can work in a job that is related to what you studied. You can apply for this visa only one time.

With the Post Study Work Visa, you can apply the knowledge and skills you gained during your studies in a practical work environment. This can help you further develop your expertise and contribute to the New Zealand workforce.

6. Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa

With the NZ Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited visa, you can work in viticulture and horticulture to plant, maintain, harvest, and pack crops. To apply for this visa, you must have a job offer from a Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) and medical insurance. You can apply if you are from eligible Pacific nations:

• the Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• the Republic of Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• the Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

7. Specific Purpose Work Visa

The Specific Purpose Work visa allows you to visit New Zealand for a particular reason or objective. You have the flexibility to remain in the country for the duration required to fulfill your specific purpose. It is necessary to demonstrate the specific timeframe needed to complete your purpose or participate in an event. You must provide evidence of adequate financial resources to support your stay in New Zealand, covering expenses related to your sustenance and accommodation.

8. Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa

You can apply for the SSE Work Visa visa if you are already in New Zealand on a student or visitor visa and want to do seasonal work in the horticulture or viticulture industry. You must be 18 or older to apply and prove that you have a job offer from an eligible employer, among other eligibility requirements. Specifically, you are permitted to engage in tasks such as planting, maintaining, harvesting, or packing crops for a maximum duration of six months starting from the approval date.

Furthermore, this flexibility allows for a certain amount of freedom in pursuing educational endeavors alongside your employment.

9. Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa

If you have worked for an accredited employer in New Zealand for a period exceeding two years, you meet the eligibility criteria for the Talent Accredited Employer visa. To qualify, it is necessary to maintain ongoing employment with an accredited employer and earn at least the minimum salary that was applicable at the time of your Talent (Accredited Employer) Work visa application.

This visa not only allows you to include your immediate family members in the visa application but also grants you the freedom to pursue studies in any field you prefer.

10. New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday NZ visa enables young people all over the world to travel to New Zealand and work there while enjoying the attractive country. New Zealand has agreements with 45 countries to work with the Working Holiday Program. If you are 18 – 30 (35 in some countries), have medical insurance, and enough money to support your stay, then you are eligible to apply for the visa New Zealand Working Holiday visa. With this visa, you can also study for up to three months.

While for some countries there isn’t a quota, 30 other countries have a quota which differs from one another. Once you obtain the visa, you can’t accept a permanent job offer because you can stay only 12 months (23 months for people from the UK or Canada) in New Zealand.

11. Working Holidaymaker Extension

If your Working Holiday visa is about to expire and you want to continue working in New Zealand, you can apply for the Working Holidaymaker Extension visa. This visa allows you to stay an additional three months in the country, but only if you have worked in the horticulture or viticulture industry. To be eligible for this visa, you must currently be in New Zealand and meet similar requirements that the Working Holiday visa has.

12. Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is a type of visa offered by New Zealand that allows skilled workers to obtain NZ permanent residency. It is designed for individuals who possess the skills, qualifications, and work experience that are in demand in the New Zealand labor market. You must first submit an expression of interest to outline your experience and qualification.

You must be 55 or older and receive an invitation to apply for residence. If the application is successful, the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa allows the applicant and their family members to live, work, and study in New Zealand permanently.

What Are the Fees for New Zealand Work Visas?

The fees for NZ Work visas are as follows:

Work visa	Online application fee	Paper application fee
Accredited Employer Work Visa	NZD $750	N/A
New Zealand Diplomatic Visa	N/A	NZ $635 — $775
Entertainers Work Visa	NZ $735	NZ $740 — $815
Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa	N/A	NZD $4,240
Post Study Work Visa	NZD $700	NZD $625 — $860
Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa	NZD $280 — $435	N/A
Specific Purpose Work Visa	NZD $735	NZD $620 — $745
Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa	N/A	NZ $630 — $750
Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa	N/A	NZD $4,240
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa	NZD $455	N/A
Working Holidaymaker Extension	N/A	NZD $210 — $495
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa	NZD $4,890	NZD $4,890

What Is the Processing Time for a New Zealand Work Visa?

Below you can find the processing time for each Work NZ visa application:

Work visa	Processing time
Accredited Employer Work Visa	51 days
New Zealand Diplomatic Visa	49 days
Entertainers Work Visa	16 days
Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa	5 months
Post Study Work Visa	34 days
Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa	9 days
Specific Purpose Work Visa	within one week
Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa	a priority

How Long Can I Stay in New Zealand on a Work Visa?

The length of your stay in New Zealand depends on the type of Work visa:

Work visa	Length of stay
Accredited Employer Work Visa	3 years
New Zealand Diplomatic Visa	as your employer’s NZ posting
Entertainers Work Visa	for the time requested to do the work in NZ
Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa	Permanently
Post Study Work Visa	3 years
Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa	7 – 9 months
Specific Purpose Work Visa	Depends on the purpose
Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa	6 months
Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa	Permanently
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa	12 months
Working Holidaymaker Extension	3 months
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa	Permanently

Do I Need a Job Offer to Apply for a New Zealand Work Visa?

For some NZ Work visas, you need a job offer. A job offer serves as proof that there is a genuine employment opportunity waiting for you in New Zealand. You need a job offer for the following visas:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa
• Entertainers Work Visa

Can I Study in New Zealand on a Work Visa?

You can study in New Zealand with the following Work NZ visas:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa
• Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
• Post Study Work Visa
• New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Can I Obtain Residence in New Zealand With a Work Visa?

You can become a resident of New Zealand with the following visas:

• Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Can I Bring My Family to New Zealand on an NZ Work Visa?

You can bring your partner and children to New Zealand with the following NZ Work visas:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa
• Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
• Post Study Work Visa
• Specific Purpose Work Visa
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

In conclusion, New Zealand offers an array of work visas catering to various individuals’ qualifications and aspirations. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a recent graduate, or a young adventurer looking to explore the country, there’s likely a visa option that suits your needs. New Zealand’s strong economy, welcoming culture, and diverse opportunities make it an attractive destination for anyone seeking a promising future abroad.

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FAQs

Note: The information provided in this article is subject to change, and applicants are advised to refer to official government sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information on New Zealand work visas and immigration requirements.