Visa Options and the Right to Work in New Zealand

Many individuals admire the superb city of New Zealand. Most people want to work in a stunning place with the best working culture and environment to get settled.

An individual can only work in New Zealand when legally into a job in NZ. It’s an employer’s responsibility to ensure that their employee can legally work for them.

Who is Entitled to Work in New Zealand?

• An individual who has a New Zealand residence visa,
• Those who are citizens of New Zealand or Australia(including individuals who are born in Niue & Tokelau and the Cook Islands),
• The individuals with an NZ work visa or a condition mentioned on their New Zealand temporary work visa show that they are allowed to work in NZ.

Visas That Allow An Individual to Work in NZ

• Employer Accreditation

According to Immigration NZ’s instructions, an accredited employer can recruit migrant workers. After being accredited, an employer can advertise, do a job check, and initiate the recruitment process.

• Essential Skills Work Visa

An individual can apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa if he is currently working with an accredited employer or has a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.

• Post Study Work Visa NZ

Post Study Work Visa NZ allows students to work in New Zealand after completing their studies. The new requirements for applying for a Study Work Visa are in effect from 11th May 2022 and will be applied to all applying for a student visa after the date. In the new requirements, the visa conditions will depend on the qualification gained in NZ.

• Specific Purpose or Event Visa

NZ Specific Purpose or Event Visa allows an individual to visit New Zealand for a specific purpose or event that includes transferred business people, entertainment industry workers, sports players, secondment visits, etc.

If the individual is a guardian to students and in New Zealand, they will not be allowed to apply for this visa. The duration of this visa depends on the duration of stay in NZ to complete a specific purpose or event.

• Work to Residence Visa

Any individual who has worked on the role of Tier 2 green list in demand for 24 months, is currently working or got a job offer from an accredited employer applies for a Work to Residence Visa.

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWA)

An individual with a job offer from an accredited employer, presently working in NZ, or has appropriate job qualifications followed by a link to the visa application form can go for an AEWA visa.

• Long-Term Skill Shortage Work Visa

An individual who wants to apply for this visa must be aged 55 years or below, have significant work experience and qualifications, and have an occupational registration to work on the Long-Term Skill Shortage List occupation and an offer for that job.

• Religious Worker Visa

If an individual wants to apply for a Religious Work Visa, then the individual should have at least 2 years of experience or training in religious work. If an individual wants to apply for a two-year temporary visa, they must have an offer from the religious organization for religious work.

• Supplementary Seasonal Employer Work Visa

To apply for this visa, an individual can visit NZ for a short time to work in the horticulture and viticulture industries and must have a job offer before applying for a visa.

• Student and Trainee Work Visa

If an individual wants practical work experience as a part of their training or study, they can apply for a Student and Trainee work visa. The duration of the period granted is based on the purpose of the individual.

• Nursing in New Zealand

If an individual wants to become a registered nurse in NZ and get nursing training in NZ, the requirements of the Nursing Council of New Zealand must be met that includes, nursing qualifications (B.Sc., Post B.Sc, or M.Sc),

Minimum 2 years of work experience in the last 5 years, and have passed IELTS academic with a minimum score of 7 for reading, speaking, and listening, followed by a minimum score of 6.5 for writing.

• Teaching in New Zealand

To apply for a work-to-residence visa pathway via a green list, an individual should have a job or job offer to fulfill specific criteria regarding income, qualifications, and registration. The Teaching Council of NZ’s requirements for overseas-trained teachers include qualification assessments by NZQA, English language requirements, and character and health requirements.

If you want to work in New Zealand, there are ample visa options. You can visit NZ Immigration for more information.