If the employer and prospective employee meet our requirements, the employee can apply for a Work Permit under our Skilled Stream: Essential Skills Work Policy.
To be eligible for lawful employment in New Zealand, workers from overseas must be qualified and experienced for the position they are being offered. In addition, they need to meet a number of conditions.
Before the overseas workers get here
To enter New Zealand they need:
- to be in good health and of good character
- a passport that’s valid for at least three months past the date they are to leave New Zealand
- to be genuine in wanting to work in New Zealand
- to have the right visa for their visit.
While overseas workers are here
If we grant an overseas worker a Work Permit they need to meet certain conditions during their stay:
- the work they do must meet any conditions specified in their permit
- they must keep within New Zealand’s laws
- they must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by their permit, unless they’re granted another permit.
If an employee from overseas breaks any of these conditions we may require them to leave the country immediately.
See more information about requirements workers from overseas must meet.