Work Visa
If you wish to take up employment in New Zealand you need to apply for a work visa.
Employment means any activity undertaken for gain or reward.
There are three work visa categories:
- Skilled stream
- Family stream
- Humanitarian stream
Work visa applicants under the Skilled/General work policy must provide an offer of employment and meet registration requirements if applicable.
Applicants must also prove that no New Zealand resident or citizen is available to do the work offered to him or her (Labourmarket Shortages Test).
If an application is based on an offer of employment in an occupation that is included on the current Immediate Skill Shortage List or the Long Term Skill Shortage List, visa officers will accept that no suitably qualified New Zealand citizen or resident is available.
Some employers have an Approval in Principle to employ non-New Zealand citizens or resident workers.
In all other cases, in addition to submitting an offer of employment, applicants must also submit evidence establishing that their prospective employer has made genuine attempts to attract and recruit suitable workers in New Zealand, but that there are no New Zealand citizens or residents suitably qualified by training and experience available, or readily able to be trained to do the work offered.
As well as meeting the above requirements, applicants must also meet health and character requirements and be bona fide applicants.
Under Family work policy partners of New Zealand citizens or residents may be issued with a work visa if they are in a genuine and stable relationship, the New Zealand partner intends to be in New Zealand for the same period of time and supports the application.
Special work visas are available for partners of holders of work visas and visas issued under Long Term Business Visa Policy and Work to Residence (Skilled Migrant Category) Policy.
"We look forward to hearing from you."
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