Steps to apply for a Work Visa or Permit – Essential Skills

Overseas workers should follow these steps if they wish to apply for a Work Visa or Permit under our Essential Skills Work policy.

Step 1

Complete the Application to Work in New Zealand form (NZIS 1015) PDF available from Immigration New Zealand offices in New Zealand and overseas. 

Step 2

Along with the completed (and signed) application form the overseas worker will need to provide:

• an offer of employment in an occupation currently included on the Immediate Skill Shortage List
  or
• an offer of employment from an employer who has a current approval in principle to employ them (please provide a copy of the approval)
  or
• an offer of employment and evidence from an employer that shows there are no New Zealand citizens or residents suitably qualified by training and experience available
  or
• evidence of full or provisional occupational registration, or their ability to qualify for registration, if that’s required by law to take up the offer of employment.

Step 3

The worker will also need to provide:

• a recent passport size photograph
• a valid passport or certificate of identity
• a completed Medical and X-ray Certificate, less than three months old and a police certificate, less than six months old – if they intend to stay in New Zealand for longer than 24 months
• the application fee

Plus any other evidence requested by the visa officer, such as proof of plans to leave New Zealand after their permit expires.

Step 4

If the worker is overseas, their application must be sent before they travel to New Zealand. Find out where they should send the application. 
or
If they are in New Zealand, the application should be sent before they start work, to Immigration New Zealand branch nearest to their proposed place of employment.

For more information on how to apply for a Work Visa or Permit, download our Guide for Working in New Zealand (NZIS 1016) PDF.