New Zealand has a strong and thriving economy, which means there are plenty of opportunities for job seekers. The country offers a high standard of living across various sectors like agriculture, tourism, technology, healthcare, and education. In fact, there is a demand for skilled professionals in specific industries, making it easier for qualified individuals to find work.
What’s more, New Zealand provides different pathways for immigration, allowing those who have worked in the country for some time to have options for settling down permanently. So, if you’re considering working in New Zealand, you can look forward to a stable economy, a great lifestyle, and opportunities for long-term growth.
What Are the Types of New Zealand Work Visas?
You can work with the following 12 types of work visas in New Zealand:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- New Zealand Diplomatic Visa
- Entertainers Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
- Post Study Work Visa
- Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
- Specific Purpose Work Visa
- Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa
- Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa
- New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
- Working Holidaymaker Extension
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Accredited Employer Work Visa
If you have received a job offer from an accredited employer, you are eligible to apply for an Accredited Employer Work visa. To qualify, the employer must have offered you a minimum of 30 hours of work per week. The duration of your visa will depend on your salary. If you are paid at or above the New Zealand median wage of NZD $29.66 per hour, your visa will be valid for up to 3 years. However, if you are paid below the median wage, your visa will be valid for up to two years.
You may be able to support visa applications for your partner, as well as visitor or student visas for your dependent children. However, you can only support your dependent child’s visitor or student visa if you earn a minimum of NZD $43,322.76 per year. This visa allows you to study for up to three months within any one-year period.
New Zealand Diplomatic Visa
You can apply for a New Zealand Diplomatic visa if you are a domestic worker for diplomatic, consular, or official staff posted in New Zealand. Your application must be supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. When your visa application is approved, you can go to New Zealand to do domestic work for your employer. Your visa has the same validity as your employer’s posting in New Zealand. However, you need to leave if your work ends before your employer’s posting does.
Entertainers Work Visa
The Entertainers Work visa allows you to work in the video, film, or production industry in New Zealand. You qualify for this visa if you have particular skills and experience that the entertainment industry of New Zealand lacks. Besides the identity, health, and character requirements, you must have an offer of entertainment work to apply for an Entertainers Work NZ visa.
New Zealand has a thriving entertainment sector with various opportunities in film, television, theater, music, and other performing arts. The Entertainers Work Visa can provide you with the chance to explore and tap into this dynamic industry.
Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
You can apply for a Long Term Skill Shortage List visa if you have worked for more than two years in New Zealand with a Long Term Work visa. You must be in New Zealand when you apply, and when you are granted residence, you can work and study whatever you like.
To qualify, you need to have ongoing, full-time employment in an occupation that was listed on the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) when you were granted your work visa or an occupation that is currently on the LTSSL at the time of your residence application.
Post Study Work Visa
The NZ Post Study Work visa enables you to work in New Zealand for three years if you have currently finished your studies in New Zealand. It provides an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in your field of study, which can enhance your resume and increase your employment prospects. You can work for any employer in any job if you have a degree level 7 or above qualification. If your qualification is non-degree level 7 or below, you can work in a job that is related to what you studied. You can apply for this visa only one time.
With the Post Study Work Visa, you can apply the knowledge and skills you gained during your studies in a practical work environment. This can help you further develop your expertise and contribute to the New Zealand workforce.
Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
With the NZ Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited visa, you can work in viticulture and horticulture to plant, maintain, harvest, and pack crops. To apply for this visa, you must have a job offer from a Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) and medical insurance. You can apply if you are from eligible Pacific nations:
- the Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- the Republic of Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- the Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Specific Purpose Work Visa
The Specific Purpose Work visa allows you to visit New Zealand for a particular reason or objective. You have the flexibility to remain in the country for the duration required to fulfill your specific purpose. It is necessary to demonstrate the specific timeframe needed to complete your purpose or participate in an event. You must provide evidence of adequate financial resources to support your stay in New Zealand, covering expenses related to your sustenance and accommodation.
Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa
You can apply for the SSE Work Visa visa if you are already in New Zealand on a student or visitor visa and want to do seasonal work in the horticulture or viticulture industry. You must be 18 or older to apply and prove that you have a job offer from an eligible employer, among other eligibility requirements. Specifically, you are permitted to engage in tasks such as planting, maintaining, harvesting, or packing crops for a maximum duration of six months starting from the approval date.
Furthermore, you have the opportunity to undertake additional studies as long as the combined duration of your studies does not exceed three months within a 12-month period. This allows for a certain amount of flexibility in pursuing educational endeavors alongside your employment.
Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa
If you have worked for an accredited employer in New Zealand for a period exceeding two years, you meet the eligibility criteria for the Talent Accredited Employer visa. To qualify, it is necessary to maintain ongoing employment with an accredited employer and earn at least the minimum salary that was applicable at the time of your Talent (Accredited Employer) Work visa application.
This visa not only allows you to include your immediate family members in the visa application but also grants you the freedom to pursue studies in any field you prefer.
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday NZ visa enables young people all over the world to travel to New Zealand and work there while enjoying the attractive country. New Zealand has agreements with 45 countries to work with the Working Holiday Program. If you are 18 – 30 (35 in some countries), have medical insurance, and enough money to support your stay, then you are eligible to apply for the visa New Zealand Working Holiday visa. With this visa, you can also study for up to three months.
While for some countries there isn’t a quota, 30 other countries have a quota which differs from one another. Once you obtain the visa, you can’t accept a permanent job offer because you can stay only 12 months (23 months for people from UK or Canada) in New Zealand.
Working Holidaymaker Extension
If your Working Holiday visa is about to expire and you want to continue working in New Zealand, you can apply for the Working Holidaymaker Extension visa. This visa allows you to stay an additional three months in the country, but only if you have worked in the horticulture or viticulture industry. To be eligible for this visa, you must currently be in New Zealand and meet similar requirements that the Working Holiday visa has.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is a type of visa offered by New Zealand that allows skilled workers to obtain NZ permanent residency. It is designed for individuals who possess the skills, qualifications, and work experience that are in demand in the New Zealand labor market. You must first submit an expression of interest to outline your experience and qualification.
You must be 55 or older and receive an invitation to apply for residence. If the application is successful, the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa allows the applicant and their family members to live, work, and study in New Zealand permanently.
What Are the Fees for New Zealand Work Visas?
The fees for NZ Work visas are as follows:
| Work visa | Online application fee | Paper application fee |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | NZD $750 | N/A |
| New Zealand Diplomatic Visa | N/A | NZ $635 — $775 |
| Entertainers Work Visa | NZ $735 | NZ $740 — $815 |
| Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa | N/A | NZD $4,240 |
| Post Study Work Visa | NZD $ 700 | NZD $625 — $860 |
| Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa | NZD $280 — $435 | |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | NZD $ 735 | NZD $620 — $745 |
| Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa | N/A | NZ $630 — $750 |
| Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa | N/A | NZD $4,240 |
| New Zealand Working Holiday Visa | NZD $455 | N/A |
| Working Holidaymaker Extension | N/A | NZD $210 — $495 |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | NZD $4,890 | NZD $4,890 |
What Is the Processing Time for a New Zealand Work Visa?
Below you can find the processing time for each Work NZ visa application:
| Work visa | Processing time |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 51 days |
| New Zealand Diplomatic Visa | 49 days |
| Entertainers Work Visa | 16 days |
| Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa | 5 months |
| Post Study Work Visa | 34 days |
| Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa | 9 days |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | within one week |
| Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa | a priority |
| Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa | 26 months |
| New Zealand Working Holiday Visa | 36 days |
| Working Holidaymaker Extension | 36 days |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Depends |
How Long Can I Stay in New Zealand on a Work Visa?
The length of your stay in New Zealand depends on the type of Work visa:
| Work visa | Length of stay |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 3 years |
| New Zealand Diplomatic Visa | as your employer’s NZ posting |
| Entertainers Work Visa | for the time requested to do the work in NZ |
| Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa | Permanently |
| Post Study Work Visa | 3 years |
| Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa | 7 – 9 months |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | Depends on the purpose |
| Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa | 6 months |
| Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa | Permanently |
| New Zealand Working Holiday Visa | 12 months |
| Working Holidaymaker Extension | 3 months |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Permanently |
Do I Need a Job Offer to Apply for a New Zealand Work Visa?
For some NZ Work visas, you need a job offer. A job offer serves as proof that there is a genuine employment opportunity waiting for you in New Zealand. You need a job offer for the following visas:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Entertainers Work Visa
Can I Study in New Zealand on a Work Visa?
You can study in New Zealand with the following Work NZ visas:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
- Post Study Work Visa
- New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Read also: New Zealand Study Visas
Can I Obtain Residence in New Zealand With a Work Visa?
You can become a resident of New Zealand with the following visas:
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Can I Bring My Family to New Zealand on an NZ Work Visa?
You can bring your partner and children to New Zealand with the following NZ Work visas:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
- Post Study Work Visa
- Specific Purpose Work Visa
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa