People who have been offered a place on a pre-approved work or government-to-government exchange scheme can apply for a Work visa before departing for New Zealand. The steps to employ an approved exchange scheme participant are outlined below.
Establish the scheme
Establish a work exchange scheme if there is no current pre-approved or government-to-government exchange scheme in place. Our requirements pages will give you more details on establishing a scheme.
Ensure applicants fill in the form
The individual applicant is to complete the form Application to Work in New Zealand (NZIS 1015) PDF [117KB]. If necessary, printed copies are available from your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.
Ensure applicants submit everything we require, including the fee
The applicant will need to submit their completed (and signed) application form, with:
- a recent passport size photograph, and
- a valid passport, and
- a police certificate which is less than six months old, if they intend to stay in New Zealand for longer than 24 months, and
- the correct fee.
Under the work exchange scheme policy, applicants are also required to provide:
- evidence of acceptance to an approved work exchange scheme from the scheme organiser; and
- evidence of medical and dental insurance cover for the length of the exchange; and
- evidence that they have made onward travel arrangements for when their exchange scheme participation has finished.
Ensure applicants show us they meet our health requirements
The evidence that applicants must supply depends on how long they intend to work in New Zealand.
Working for more than six months but less than a year
Applicants must provide a completed Temporary Entry X-Ray Certificate (NZIS 1096) PDF [69KB].
Working for more than a year
Applicants must provide a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007) PDF [401KB].
For help completing the form, see the Medical & Chest X-ray Certificate - Applicant's Notes (NZIS 1133) PDF [117KB]. Translations of these notes are available in several different languages.
Note: Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit X-ray certificates unless a special report is required.
For full details on health requirements, see our Health Requirements Leaflet (NZIS 1121) PDF [205KB].
More information for applicants
For more information on how to apply for a work visa or permit, download our Guide for Working in New Zealand (NZIS 1016) PDF [202KB].