New Zealand, one of the safest countries in the world, is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and high quality of life. With a robust economy and an excellent education system, New Zealand offers an ideal destination for international workers, boasting a perfect work-life balance, rich cultural diversity, and abundant career opportunities.
Several factors might require you to have a New Zealand work visa. These include securing a job offer from a New Zealand employer, traveling to New Zealand for a specific work-related purpose, joining a partner in New Zealand and intending to work, or transitioning from being a student to working in New Zealand. All these factors determine the kind of work visa you would apply for, some of which include:
- The skilled migrant resident visa
- Accredited Employer work visa
- Working Holiday visa
- Partner of a New Zealander work visa
- Post-study work visa
- Specific purpose work visa
- Entrepreneur work visa
And over 80 work visas can allow you to live and work in New Zealand. Before applying for any of these visas, you must decide which work visa type would suit you. This will influence your application process, eligibility, and document requirements, which might include:
- Your age
Most work visas require applicants to be 55 years old or younger.
- Proof of Identity
You must also provide an acceptable photo, passport, and other identity information.
- Proof of good Character
The visa you are applying for, and the duration of your intended stay in New Zealand will determine whether you need to provide police certificates from countries where you have lived for more than five years since the age of 17. This is evidence of your good character.
- Medical Certificate
The length of your stay and your country of origin may determine whether you need to provide medical certificates or have a chest X-ray done by a doctor authorized by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
- Proof of English proficiency
Based on your nationality, you might have to provide evidence of English proficiency by presenting an acceptable English language test result or a recognized qualification from a qualifying English-speaking country.
- A Job Offer
Most visa categories require proof of a job offer from a New Zealand employer, but some do not. The type of work visa you’re applying for will determine if you need to present proof of employment.
Finally, you need to translate documents that are not in English, like your medical or police certificates, into English.
Applying for a New Zealand work visa
Before starting your application, you must have scanned copies of all your supporting documents, like police certificates and medical certificates, alongside your visa photos, passport, or any other document you could use as an identity document. Other essential documents you need to have ready are evidence of your job or job offer in New Zealand, alongside proof of your English language proficiency. Based on your situation or the type of visa you’re applying for, you might have to supply additional documents like your occupational registration, relationship to your child, partnership, child’s adoption, child’s custody arrangements, family member’s English language proficiency test, skilled work experience, training, and qualifications, including any NZQA assessments.
You can apply for most work visas online; however, you’ll need to create a New Zealand Government RealMe account to prove your identity before starting your work visa application, except for working holiday visa applications. Certain visas, including some country-specific ones, require you to complete a printed application form. To apply online, you need to download the latest versions of all immigration forms, including visa application forms, and utilize the accompanying guides and checklists to guarantee a complete and accurate submission, because using an outdated form may result in delays or a return of your application.
After a successful application, you’ll have to wait for your application to be processed. Visa application processing times can vary, with some taking longer than others. For instance, An Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) can take up to 14 weeks, a Working Holiday Visa and a Post-Study Work Visa can take up to 5 weeks, while a Partner of a New Zealander Visa can take up to 8 weeks. The waiting period depends on the type of work visa you applied for.
