A Comprehensive Guide to New Zealand Work Visa

If you are looking for job opportunities in foreign countries, it is essential that you are familiar with immigration policies and processes beforehand. All countries have their own set of requirements in terms of essential skills, legal documents as well as age bars. As New Zealand is emerging as a preferred destination to study abroad as well as for employment, people from around the world apply for a New Zealand work permit and student visa to work and study in this island country. In this article, we will elaborate on how to get a New Zealand Work Visa and which one suits your professional purpose the best.

Also Read: Job Opportunities in New Zealand

Why Work in New Zealand?

Working in New Zealand offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a high quality of life. The country boasts stunning landscapes, from pristine beaches to majestic mountains, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. New Zealand also prioritizes work-life balance, with a strong emphasis on family and leisure time. Its progressive policies promote diversity and equality, making it an attractive destination for those seeking an inclusive society. Moreover, the nation’s strong economy and stable political environment provide job security. With a friendly population and a vibrant culture, New Zealand offers a fulfilling work experience in a picturesque setting.

Who Needs a Visa?

You can apply for a temporary work visa if you meet the following requirements:

• have a job offer from a New Zealand employer 
• are coming for a specific work-related purpose or event
• have a partner here and want to join them and work 
• are from a country with a special work scheme, or have been studying and want to work here.

Some work visas can also lead to permanent residence, or the right to live, study, and work indefinitely. To apply, you must have the necessary skills, experience, and qualifications for employment in New Zealand.

New Zealand Work Visa Requirements

In total, there are more than 80 categories of Visas that New Zealand offers to its visitors. Every Visa category has its own requirements and conditions. However, there are requirements that are common for everyone applying for a New Zealand work visa. These requirements are as follows:

• You must have a Real work account. This account works as your profile with the New Zealand Immigration Department and is used for formal communication.
• Identity proof and Character proof, which must be recent.
• Getting Medical certificates showing physical fitness 
• Translation of documents into English, if they are originally made in a native language.
• Official passport or certificate of identity and two acceptable visa photographs.
• Proof of good character (completed character questionnaire, Police Certificates from your country of origin and any country where you’ve lived at least five years since turning 17)
• Proof of being bonafide

New Zealand Work Visa Application Process 

The majority of the visa application procedure is completed online through New Zealand’s Immigration website. This online process is simple and quick, and the online form should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Alternatively, you can send the application form for the kind of visa you choose, along with all relevant supporting papers, to the designated suitable site or centre. Depending on the type of visa you filed for, you will be told whether you need to send in your passport or whether you will be issued an e-Visa. This is an electronic visa that is stored in the immigration system and substitutes for the actual sticker or stamp on your passport. This e-Visa is valid for the following visa types in New Zealand:

• Work Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Student Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
• Dependent Child Resident Visa
• Business Visitor Visa
• Group Visitor Visa

Also Read: New Zealand Student VISA

New Zealand Work Visa Processing Time

Most visa applicants are on hold due to COVID-19. However, on average, the New Zealand Work permit processing time can be anywhere from 3 months to 7 months depending upon a number of conditions such as:

• Type of work visa
• Applicant profile
• Visa staff availability 
• Embassy regulations

Currently, the application process for visa applications is online and the country is only issuing visas for the following categories:

• Border Exceptions,
• Essential Skills work visas,
• Work to Residence visas,
• Partnership visas (temporary and residence),
• Post-study work visas,
• Student visas,
• Visitor visas, and
• Section 61 requests.

Types of New Zealand Work Visa

New Zealand Work Visas can be divided into two broad categories, Permanent and Temporary. In general, New Zealand does not offer a permanent Visa on arrival, except to Australian nationals. All those who are looking specifically for work Visas need to be aware of the following major categories and their requirements:

Temporary Work Visa

A Temporary Work Visa is offered to individuals who wish to work in New Zealand for a short duration of time. These Visas vary highly as per different characteristics of individuals and their job types. The prominent types of Temporary Work Visas are:

Essential Skills Work Visa

People who provide their services in sought-after domains in New Zealand can avail Essential Skills work Visa. These job profiles are listed by the New Zealand government on the skill shortage list, which is updated as per the labour market requirements. These people also have ease in applying for Work from Residence Visa, as skill-shortage jobs receive higher points on Residence Visa point charts.

How to Apply for Essential Skills Work Visa

You will need the following documents to apply for an Essential Skills work visa:

• A job offer for a full-time position, as well as a copy of your employment contract.
• Your company must demonstrate that the post could not be filled by a New Zealander.
• An “Employer Supplementary Form” describing your job offer by the employer.
• Official past transcripts, certificates and records.
• Occupational registration form (if applicable)

Employer-Endorsed Work Visa

Employers who have advertised a job in New Zealand and made unsuccessful efforts to find a suitable New Zealand citizen or resident for the position can look to recruit migrant workers. In this situation, you can apply for an Essential Skills work visa, the employer helps in immigration by providing supporting information and demonstrating their efforts to recruit New Zealanders first. Due to the lack of inland workers, New Zealand provides employment to such workers as well.

Note: Interact one-on-one with renowned university representatives, submit an application in a single click, and receive offer letters from top universities with Uniconnect by Leverage Edu.

Work to Residence Visa

Work to Residence Visa is the most common method used for gaining a Skilled Migrant Resident Visa in New Zealand. It is valid for 30 months and during its validity, the employee must work for at least 24 months to be eligible for a permanent Visa. Here are the two pathways used for getting a Residence Visa from Work to Residence Visa:

Accredited Employer Work Visa

Also known as Talent Visa, this type of Visa is granted by an accredited recruiter. This is mostly used when the job skills are highly specialized. Upon getting this Visa, employees can apply for a Residence Visa under Residence from Work (Accredited Employers) Category. For this, the employee must be at a base salary of at least NZ$79,450 [roughly 38,72,000 INR] annually, as well as on a permanent payroll for 24 months.

Long-Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa

Under this category, if your job profile is listed on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, the employees are awarded extra points on the Skilled Migrant Resident Visa application, increasing their chances of getting citizenship. Here are the main categories of such jobs:

• Education
• Engineering
• Finance
• Business
• Health and social services
• ICT and electronics 
• Oil and Gas Engineering
• Recreation
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Science 
• Trades 
• Transport

These employees must work for a minimum duration of 24 months while being permanently employed at a base salary of at least NZ$45,000 [21,92,600 INR]. 

Skilled Migrant Resident Visa

A Skilled Migrant Resident Visa is required for individuals who look to stay and work in New Zealand permanently. There are many ways of getting a Skilled Migrant Resident Visa, but the most common one among them is upgrading from a Work to Residence Visa. For Indian citizens, the following criteria are essential when applying for a Skilled Migrant Resident Visa:

• Character
• Health
• Skilled Employment
• Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Expression of Interest
• Invitation to apply for residence
• English Language Proficiency

Entrepreneur Visa

A non-job New Zealand work permit or Entrepreneur Visa is especially for those who wish to establish themselves independently in the New Zealand job market. This Visa is initially granted for a period of 12 months, during which the persons are allowed to establish their business. If they are able to prove their success in the establishment, their Visa validity is extended by the remaining 12 months. The applicants must invest at least NZ$ 1,00,000 [roughly 48,72,400INR] to deem their business as established. The business is also graded over various parameters, which include no record of fraud or bankruptcy, as well as the character of the Entrepreneur.

Note: After getting your Visa approved you must apply for an IRD number with the authorities. This number will be used for all tax-related activities in the country. 

New Zealand Work Visa 2023 Cost 

There are typically two sorts of fees or costs that are associated with work visas: a visa fee and an immigration levy. However, some nations charge greater costs than others, and others may have a fee-waiver arrangement with New Zealand, so always double-check your individual needs. The visa may be paid for online using a credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Having said that, if you are coming from a Pacific country, the visa cost will be different. The New Zealand Work permit fee is 55 NZD (INR 2839) regardless of the type of visa you apply for.

New Zealand Work Visa Type	Fee in NZD	Fee in INR
Partnership/Work to Residence Work Visa	580	29,900
Entrepreneur Work Visa	3310	1,70,800
Working Holiday Visa	190	9,800
Working Holidaymaker Extension Visa	190	9,800
Other work visas	440	22,700

How To Apply for Working Visa in New Zealand

In order to work in New Zealand, foreign nationals need to apply for a New Zealand work permit. Foreign nationals can apply for a work visa in New Zealand under the following conditions:

• have a job offer from a New Zealand employer
• are coming for a specific work-related purpose or event
• have a partner here, and you want to join them and work
• are from a country that has a special work scheme, or
• have been studying here and wish to work in the country

FAQs

Hope this article provided you with the required information about New Zealand Work Visas. Getting an academic degree abroad can help you pave your career path on a global level. We at Leverage Edu specialize in helping students with the enrollment and admission processes of their dream university. To begin your journey towards professional success, connect with our career experts with a free e-meeting today!