Working in New Zealand
 Employers | Migrants

If you’re not a New Zealand or Australian Citizen and don’t hold either New Zealand or Australian Permanent Residency you will be required to obtain a work visa before taking up a job in New Zealand.

There are several ways you can qualify for a work visa:

Employers - Accreditation for the AEWV

Most NZ employers will require accreditation with Immigration New Zealand to hire foreign employees.

  • Hire up to 5 migrants’ workers
  • Have an NZBN & a business IRD number
  • Can hire 6 or more migrant workers
  • Have an NZBN & a business IRD number
  • For businesses that are part of a franchise
  • No limit to number of migrant workers
  • Have an NZBN & a business IRD number
  • For businesses who place migrants with third parties
  • No limit to number of migrant workers
  • Have an NZBN & a business IRD number

All employers must also submit a job check to INZ to hire migrants once accreditation is approved.

Job Check:

  • Must be an accredited employer
  • Have an acceptable job offer, job description and employment agreement

Migrant Workers

If you’re looking to start a new business, revitalise an existing business, or invest in New Zealand, a business migration path may be best for you.
There are two main paths to residence, entrepreneur and investment.

  • Completed an acceptable NZ qualification
  • Employer assisted or open visa
  • Job must be relevant to your qualification
  • Apply within 3 months of completing qualification

This visa replaces the Essential Skills, Long Term Skills Shortage, Talent (Employer Accredited) and Silver Fern work visas.

  • Have a job offer from an accredited employer
  • You have the skills and qualifications for the job
  • You may be able to fast-track to residence or gain it after 2 years
  • You can stay up to 3 years

 

  • You must be in a genuine & stable relationship with a NZ citizen or resident
  • You can only have this visa for 2 years and must apply for residence before it expires
  • You can work for anyone on this visa
  • You can study up to 3 months

Other Migrant Workers

  • Allows entry for up to a 3-month business trip
  • Have a specific business purpose
  • Have enough funds to support your stay
  • Have a return ticket
  • Your partner has a student visa and study a valid course
  • Valid studies include Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or a levels 9 or 10 qualification, or a level 7 or 8 qualification that is included on our Long-Term Skill Shortage List
  • You’re living in a genuine relationship
  • You may be entitled to an open work visa for the period of your partner’s visa
  • Your partner has a work visa that can support partners for work that is valid for 6 months or more
  • You’re living in a genuine and stable relationship.
  • You may be entitled to an open work visa for the period of your partner’s visa

Other Visas / Requests

Variation of Conditions
Already got a visa but want to change? Need to add student conditions to a work visa? Need to change employer? We’ll assist you to make the changes you need.

 

Section 61 Request
A Section 61 request isn’t a visa, but it’s a way for people who are currently in New Zealand without a valid visa to regain a legal status in New Zealand.

If your visa has expired, you’re still in New Zealand and you want to remain longer in New Zealand, we can assist you in preparing a case to request that your status in New Zealand becomes legitimised.

 

Appeals
Has your residence visa been declined? Don’t know what to do next? Maybe we can assist. If your residence application has been declined you have (depending on the type of application), between 28 and 42 days to appeal the decision.

We can help assess your declined residence application and lodge an appeal should we determine there is a legitimate appeal case.

Let's have a video call for more

Booking a call