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New Zealand is one of the best countries to work in considering the employment rate and the work-life balance it provides. The country has a strong economy but a big shortage of skilled employees opening up employment doors for job-seeking skilled people worldwide. You can find a job in New Zealand that suits your requirements, but you will need a visa to travel to the country after that. To get a visa to New Zealand, certain requirements must be fulfilled. Through this blog let’s check about all the New Zealand work visa requirements before applying.
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What Is A New Zealand Work Visa?
New Zealand has many job opportunities for individuals looking for employment abroad. The permit to move to New Zealand and stay there is given through a New Zealand Work Visa. There are 12 types of New Zealand work visas. Each visa is designed for a specific type of work requirement and allows the stay for a specific duration. All the visas have different eligibility criteria and permits with them.
New Zealand Work Visa Document Requirements
Several New Zealand work visa requirements need to be fulfilled for the application of the visa. The following are the basic requirements for a work visa application:
Passport
You must submit a valid passport which has a validity of up to 3 months from the application date. If you do not have a passport you need to provide a certificate of identity provided by the government.
You need to submit an electronic copy if the application is made online and if the application is made through the application center, the original passport or a certified copy needs to be sent to the center.
Passport Photograph
You need to submit one photo of yourself for the application online, and two photos if the application is made at the center. The photo must not be older than six months, your photo must be 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high. If the application is made online the photo should be in JPEG or JPG file, should be 500 KB to 3 MB, and should have 900 X 1200 pixels or 2250 X 3000 pixels. You must refer to the guidelines on the application size for any updated guidelines for the photo specifications.
X-ray of the Chest
You need to get an X-ray done for your chest and submit it with the rest of the documents if you are applying for a visa that allows you to stay in the country for more than 6 months. The X-ray is needed to show that you do not have TB or any risk of Tuber clauses and are fit while traveling to the country. However, people traveling for less than 6 months are not required to get an X-ray.
Proof Of Funds
You must submit a bank passbook showing that you have a monthly income or source of money of at least 1000 NZD per month. Or if you have a job offer in the country that can provide you with the equivalent.
Health Certificate and Declaration
If you are traveling to the country for a stay which is to or above one year, or if you are a woman above the age of 45 you must get all the asked tests and checkups done and submit the certificate of fitness by the doctor along with all the other documents for the visa application.
You must also declare that you will pay your healthcare expenses by yourself during your stay in the country.
Genuine Intent
You must have a lawful genuine intent to work in the country to apply for a work visa to New Zealand.
Travel History
You will need to submit proof of your travel history if you live in a foreign country at the time of application and not in the country of your citizenship along with providing the reason.
Certificate from the Police
You need to provide a police certificate if the stay you are planning is more than 12 months and you are above the age of 17. The police certificate will be needed from all the countries you have stayed in after you have turned 17. This is required to show that you have no criminal record in any country.
Visa-Specific Requirements For New Zealand Work Visa
Apart from the basic New Zealand Work Visa requirements, each visa can have special eligibility requirements. The following are the requirements for different types of work visas:
Accredited Employer Work Visa
- You need to be offered a job with a minimum of 30 work hours in a week
- The minimum wage provided to you should be 29.66 NZD per hour
New Zealand Diplomatic Visa
- You must be a domestic worker in a diplomatic, counselor, or official staff post in New Zealand, the application must be supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Entertainers Work Visa
- You must have the required skills and experience required by the entertainment industry of New Zealand
- You must have a job offer for an entertainment work in New Zealand
Long-Term Skill Shortage List Visa
- Must have ongoing full-time employment in New Zealand
- Must have worked for more than two years in New Zealand
- Must be in the country while applying for the visa
Also Read: Post-Study Work Visa New Zealand
- You must have completed your education in New Zealand recently
- You must have a job or must be looking for a job or employment opportunity
Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
- Must have a job offer from a recognized seasonal employer
- You can work in horticulture, harvest, viticulture, maintain, pack crops, etc.
Specific Purpose Work Visa
- You must have a genuine and specific purpose
- You must have adequate money for the duration of your stay
Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa
- You must have a job offer from an employer in the horticulture or viticulture industry
- You must be above the age of 18
Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa
- You must have worked in New Zealand for more than 2 years
- You must have a stable source of income
- You must have an income that is above the minimum income required to stay in the country
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
- You must be 18-35 years of age
- You must have sufficient money the stay in the country
- You do not wish to take any permanent work opportunity in the country
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- You must be 18 or above
- You must possess skills, experience, or high qualifications
Know about the Application process for a New Zealand Work visa
New Zealand Visa Application Cost
The following are the cost details of the work visa to New Zealand:
| Visa type | Online application cost | Offline application cost |
| New Zealand Diplomatic Visa | 750 NZD | No cost |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | No cost | 635 NZD- 775 NZD |
| Entertainers worker visa | 735 NZD | 740 NZD- 815 NZD |
| Long-Term Skill Shortage List Visa | No cost | 4,240 NZD |
| Post-Study Work Visa | 700 NZD | 625 NZD- 860 NZD |
| Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa | No cost | 630 NZD- 750 NZD |
| Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa | No cost | 280 NZD- 435 NZD |
Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa | No cost | 4,240 NZD |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | 735 NZD | 620 NZD- 745 NZD |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | 4,890 NZD | 4,890 NZD |
| New Zealand Working Holiday Visa | 455 NZD | No cost |
| Working holidaymaker extension | No cost | 210 NZD- 495 NZD |
How to Apply for a New Zealand Work Visa?
Before applying it is important to make sure that you meet the New Zealand work visa eligibility requirements. For example, all work visa require you to submit identification proof and proof of good character. Health proof is also required. After you have gathered all the necessary visa-specific documents you can apply by following the steps below:
- To apply online set up a New Zealand Government’s RealMe® account. A RealMe account is only not required by those who are applying for a working holiday visa.
- Ensure you have all the necessary documents with you. The RealMe Account would verify the identification of the applicant.
- You can visit- https://www.immigration.govt.nz, select the visa type and apply for the same.
- Note: some country-specific work visas require you to fill in the printed application form instead.
- After you have applied for the visa wait for the visa application to be processed
- Once you have received the visa apply for an IRD number from Inland Revenue (IR). This number can be given to the New Zeland employer for all tax-related work.
FAQs
The online application can be made through the official website by filling out the application form, submitting the correct documents, and paying the fee. Some visas might need you to submit the documents at the center on a scheduled date. You can also apply offline through a visa application center.
The processing time is different for different types of work visas. The minimum time is one week for a specific-purpose visa and can go up to 26 months for a talent-accredited employer resident visa.
The reasons for the delay can be that you are under investigation, you are wanted for any type of questioning, you are charged with a crime, you have been denied a visa previously, or the document verification is taking time.
No. The New Zealand work visa process is relatively smooth if you meet all the eligibility criteria. For example, valid job offer from a recognised company in New Zealand. At present, the New Zealand work visa rejection rate is 32% for Indians.
We hope you understand everything about New Zealand work visa requirements. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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