How to Get a Work Visa in New Zealand

Why work in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most attractive destinations for foreign workers, and it’s not just about the job opportunities. Many people choose to live and work here because of the lifestyle and long-term advantages. Here are the most common benefits of moving to New Zealand: 

• High Living Standards: According to the Global Peace Index, New Zealand ranks fourth among the best countries in the world for safety, education, and overall quality of life. 
   
• Attractive Salaries: Skilled professionals enjoy competitive wages of up to 97,300 NZD annually and plenty of room for career growth.
   
• Quality Healthcare: Public and private healthcare systems offer excellent medical support for residents and workers.
   
• Multicultural Society: The Kiwis (New Zealanders) are renowned for their hospitality, which extends to visitors across the globe. You will immediately feel at home regardless of your country or origin. 
   
• Outdoor Lifestyle: From hiking to surfing, New Zealand’s natural landscapes support a healthy, active way of life.
   

Types of New Zealand work visas

If you're considering working in New Zealand, here are some visa options you might explore:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): This visa is for individuals with a job offer from an employer on the Accredited Employer List. As of March 2025, the median wage requirement for this visa has been removed. However, the new minimum hourly wage of NZD 23.50 now applies. Additionally, applicants now need two years of relevant work experience to qualify. The visa is valid for three years and allows workers to live and work in New Zealand during that period.
   
• Partner of a Student Work Visa: For partners of foreign students in New Zealand who are studying an eligible course at level 7 or above or hold a post-study work visa. You don’t need a job offer in New Zealand to apply for this visa. It is valid for the same duration as your partner’s visa.
   
• Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa: For partners or spouses of New Zealand citizens or residents. It is valid for two years, but you might be eligible to apply for residency before your visa expires if your relationship remains valid.
   
• Partner of a Worker Work Visa: For partners or spouses of foreigners with a valid work visa. It has the same validity period as your partner’s visa and you do not need a job offer in New Zealand to apply.
   
• Business Visitor Visa: For people visiting New Zealand for business reasons. You can include your partner and dependent children in your application, as long as you have sufficient funds to support them (Note that the average cost of living in New Zealand monthly per person is NZ$4,000 - NZ$5000). The visa permits you to stay for only three months in a year.
   
• Post Study Work Visa: For recent graduates of New Zealand with a degree in any eligible course. Recent changes to this Visa now allow students who complete a Master's degree following a Postgraduate Diploma to remain eligible for the visa. Additionally, the visa duration is now limited to the length of time studied in New Zealand, with a maximum of three years. Afterwards, subsequent post study work visas will no longer be granted. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a different visa.
   
• Student and Trainee Work Visa: For those needing hands-on experience in dentistry, medicine, or religious training. The visa is valid for six months to four years, depending on your training type.
   
• Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa: For individuals attending a particular event in New Zealand. The length of stay allowed depends on the duration of the event.
   
• Entertainers Work Visa: For people working on a music, film or entertainment project in New Zealand in cases where no local has the required skills. The visa remains valid for the time it takes to finish the project and is tied to your employer.
   
• Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa: For those with exceptional talents in arts, culture, or sport. You will also need a sponsor and the support of a New Zealand organisation recognised for its excellence in your field.
   
• Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa: For people on a visitor or student visa who want to get a seasonal job in viticulture or horticulture.
   
• Working Holiday Visas: Several countries have a working holiday agreement with New Zealand, which allows young people aged 18 - 30 (or 35, in a few cases) to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. You can check if your country is eligible here. The New Zealand government has confirmed the opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes in 2025. These dates are important for applicants from countries with limited quotas. Once a quota is complete, the application is closed until 2026, so apply early to secure a spot.
   
• Digital Nomad Visa: While New Zealand doesn’t have an official Digital Nomad visa, remote workers can still enjoy the country through the Visitor Visa. The Visitor Visa will allow employees who work remotely for a foreign company to live and work in New Zealand for up to 90 days. This new digital nomad option is only available to foreign workers with remote work based outside of New Zealand. Self-employed remote workers with clients outside New Zealand can also apply. Unlike other digital nomad visas, there is no minimum income requirement.

Work visas in New Zealand that lead to residency

If you're under 55 and interested in settling in New Zealand permanently, you can apply for a work visa that leads to residency after two years of employment. 

• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: If you're skilled in occupations on the Green List, this visa lets you and your close family live permanently in New Zealand. You must have a job offer from a company on the Accredited Employer List and score at least 6 points on the New Zealand Immigration Points System. Please note that only New Zealand work experience counts toward your points score, and applicants must be under 55 years of age to apply.
   
• Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa: This visa is for employees whose companies are moving their business operations to New Zealand. To apply, you must have an important role in the business, speak English, and have the backing of your company’s owner or CEO.
   
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa: For people with in-demand skills in New Zealand, earning an annual salary of at least NZ$ 79,560.
   
• Entrepreneur Work Visa: For people who want to start or buy a business in New Zealand. You must invest at least NZ$ 100,000 in the company, although lesser sums may be required for science or ICT businesses.
   
• Global Impact Work Visa: For entrepreneurs or investors who are participants of the  Edmund Hillary Fellowship. This visa allows you to live, work and study in New Zealand for up to three years, and apply for permanent residency after 30 months.
   
• Religious Worker Resident Visa: For foreign employees of a religious organisation in New Zealand who have worked for three years.

New Zealand work visa requirements

To qualify for a work visa in New Zealand, you must meet several general requirements including:

1. Job Offer: For most work visas, you need a legitimate job offer from a New Zealand employer. The offer must specify the role, salary, and terms of employment that comply with New Zealand labour laws.
    
2. Accredited Employer: For certain visas, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa, your employer must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), indicating they meet specific standards in workforce practices.
    
3. Skill Level and Qualifications: Your skills and qualifications must match the job requirements of the visa you are applying for. Some visas require your occupation to be on a shortage list or demand a certain skill level as classified by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
    
4. Health and Character: You must pass health examinations and character checks. This includes providing medical certificates and police clearance from countries you've lived in for 12 months or more in the last ten years.
    
5. English Language Proficiency: Depending on the visa and your role, you may need to prove your proficiency in English through tests like IELTS or TOEFL, or through evidence of having studied or worked in an English-speaking environment.
    
6. Age Limit: Some visas have age restrictions, usually requiring applicants to be under a certain age to qualify for residency pathways. Always check the INZ website for the current information.
    
7. Financial Stability: You must prove financial stability to support yourself (and any dependents) during your stay. This might include showing bank statements or having a financial guarantor. Your proof of funds now needs to reflect $55,844 annual income to support dependents.
    
8. Application Fees: Each visa application requires you to pay a non-refundable fee. The amount varies depending on the visa type and your nationality. Please check here for a comprehensive list of application fees for different New Zealand work visa types.
    
9. Supporting Documents: Along with your application, you must submit various documents, such as your passport, proof of qualifications, employment references, and other paperwork specified by INZ.

Fundamentally, any of your documents that are not in English language must be accompanied by certified translations. New Zealand immigration authorities require translated documents to be professionally certified to ensure accuracy and authenticity. Submitting anything less could lead to delays or even rejection of your visa application. Translations must also be done by a certified translator, not your family member, the applicant, or the immigration adviser. With Translayte, your translations are handled by certified and approved professionals to meet New Zealand’s official standards.

New Zealand work visa cost

Below is the cost of the different New Zealand work visas. 

How to apply for a New Zealand work visa 

Step 1: Determine Eligibility: Review the visa requirements to ensure you meet the criteria for the specific work visa you are applying for.
 

Step 2: Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary documentation, including your passport, job offer, proof of qualifications, and the original copies and certified translations of non-English documents.
 

Step 3: Complete Application Form: Fill out the application form accurately. You can typically find these forms on the Immigration New Zealand website or request them from a local consulate.
 

Step 4: Submit Application: Submit your application along with all required documents and the application fee. This can usually be done online, through a postal service, or in person at a visa application centre.
 

Step 5: Attend Interview: If required, attend an interview at the nearest New Zealand Embassy or Consulate.
 

Step 6: Wait for Decision: After submission, your application undergoes processing and evaluation by New Zealand immigration officers.
 

Step 7: Receive Visa: If your application is approved, you will receive your visa, which allows you to start or continue working in New Zealand.

Processing time for a New Zealand work visa

The processing time for work visas can vary widely depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications received. It typically ranges from a few weeks to several months. Expedited processing may be available for an additional fee in urgent cases. Nonetheless, here are the processing times for the different New Zealand work visas. 

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