Work Visa

Working temporarily in New Zealand

• you have a job offer from a New Zealand employer
• there is a specific purpose or event for which you need to come to New Zealand to work
• you are a student or trainee who wants to work here, or
• you want to join your partner here and work.

Requirements for working temporarily in New Zealand

There are a number of requirements that you will need to meet to get a temporary work visa and/or permit.

• a New Zealand citizen or you hold a New Zealand residence permit, or
• an Australian citizen, or an Australian resident with a current permanent residence visa or a current resident return visa.

Certain kinds of work do not require a work visa or permit. If your employment in New Zealand involves visits for business negotiations, short-term sales trips, work for official trade missions recognised by the New Zealand government, or work for overseas governments, you may be able to do it while on a visitor visa or permit. See what these options are and what they require.

Requirements for all temporary work visa or permit applicants

There are a number of requirements that all applicants need to meet for a temporary work visa or permit.

• be in good health and of good character, and
• have a passport that is valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand, and
• be genuine in wanting to work in New Zealand, and
• have the right visa for your visit.

• the work you do must be in line with the conditions specified in your permit
• you must keep within New Zealand’s laws
• you must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your permit.

Requirements for different policies

As well as meeting the requirements for all applicants, you must meet the requirements of the policy under which you are applying for a temporary work visa or permit.

Immigration New Zealand issues temporary work visa or permits under several different policies, which have different requirements. Which policy you can apply under depends on your circumstances.

Job offer from a New Zealand employer
There are two general work policies for people who have a job offer from a New Zealand employer. Which one you apply under depends on whether your offer of employment is in an occupation that is in demand in New Zealand. These are listed on the Immediate Skill Shortage List.

Occupation on the Immediate Skill Shortage List

If your occupation is NOT on the Immediate Skill Shortage List you may be eligible for a visa and/or permit under our General Work (Other) Policy. The employer will need to show that no New Zealand workers are available to do the job.

Specific Purpose or Event
The Specific Purpose or Event Policy is for people who want to work in New Zealand temporarily for a particular purpose or event such as a tournament, a show or for certain professional reasons.

• Students and Trainee Policy – for students or trainees who want to gain work experience in New Zealand to fulfil a course requirement.
• Study to Work Policy – for students who want to work in New Zealand after successfully completing their studies in New Zealand.

Joining a partner in New Zealand
The Family Stream is for people who want to work temporarily while joining their partner in New Zealand.

Work Exchange Scheme
The Work Exchange Scheme Policy is for people who want to take part in a work exchange scheme that has been pre-approved by INZ or is a government to government exchange scheme.

• crew of chartered foreign fishing vessels
• interpreters from Japan
• Thai chefs
• Ministers of religion, missionaries, members of religious orders.

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