Work To Residence

Working towards residence in New Zealand

Working temporarily in New Zealand can be used as a step towards gaining residence and settling in New Zealand permanently.

If your talents are needed by New Zealand employers, or you have exceptional talent in the arts, culture or sports, you can apply to work in New Zealand under the Work to Residence category.

Requirements for working towards residence in New Zealand

There are a number of requirements that you will need to meet to get a visa and/or permit under the Work to Residence category.

• 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 Work to Residence visa or permit applicants

There are a number of requirements that you will need to meet for a Work to Residence visa or permit. These are requirements that all applicants need to meet.

• 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 obey New Zealand’s laws
• you must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your permit.

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