Workers from overseas may be eligible for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work visa or permit as a step towards residence if they have an offer of employment from an accredited New Zealand employer.
To be eligible …
In addition to meeting our requirements for health and character the prospective employee needs to:
- be aged 55 or under
- hold a genuine offer of employment from an accredited employer, for employment that is:
- full-time; and
- for at least 24 months; and
- with an annual base salary of at least NZ$50,000 (based on 40 hours per week); and
- in the employer’s main business activity, where they are directly responsible for the employee’s output.
They will also need to show us that they’re either fully or provisionally registered – if their occupation requires occupational registration in New Zealand.
Potential employees can lodge a Talent visa/permit application at their local offshore or onshore INZ branch.
When applying for a Talent Permit, applicants (and dependants) will need to submit:
- A completed INZ form – Application to Work in New Zealand (NZIS 1015) PDF. You need to clearly mark the front of the form with the words “TALENT VISA” to ensure that the application is given priority processing. If your partner and children are to be included, they also require the appropriate fees and forms to be completed.
- Valid passport(s)
- The appropriate application fee(s).
- A letter and employment agreement from your employer offering a position in New Zealand which should list the duties of the position, the length of the contract (must be 24 months or more), the base salary offered (must be at least $50,000 per annum), and any other form of remuneration, e.g. if accommodation is provided;
- Evidence of full or provisional registration, if this is required by law to take up the offer of employment;
- A Certificate of Accreditation from your employer which will indicate to the overseas post that they are an Accredited Employer under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy;
- A medical & x-ray certificate less than three months old at the date of application;
- Police certificate not more than six months old, from your country of citizenship(s) and any country that you have lived for 5 years or more since the age of 17;
- If your partner and/or dependants are included please provide evidence of relationship i.e. full birth certificates, marriage certificate, and further evidence to confirm you are in a genuine and stable partnership.
People whose applications are approved will be issued a Talent (Accredited Employer) work visa/permit valid for 30 months.