Employers may be eligible to employ a person from overseas if they’re bringing them to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event for which their skills, attributes or expertise will benefit New Zealand.
The types of people who can be employed under this category include:
- a senior or specialist businessperson on short-term secondment can be employed for up to 12 months. Employers need to be a substantial New Zealand company or a New Zealand subsidiary of an overseas company. The employer must provide the businessperson with an offer of employment.
- a sports referee can be employed for the length of their sporting event, though not usually for more than six months. The employing organisation needs to provide a written invitation or schedule of events to referee sports events in New Zealand.
- a judge of a show, display or exhibition can be employed for the length of the event, though not usually for more than six months. The employing organisation must provide a written invitation to the person to judge shows, displays, or exhibitions.
- a dance or music examiner of a recognised international teaching institution can be employed for the length of the examinations, though not usually for more than six months. The employer must provide a written invitation - or offer of employment - to conduct examinations in New Zealand.
- a pastor or lay missionary can be employed for the term of their engagement, up to three years. The sponsoring body in New Zealand must provide a written guarantee of accommodation, maintenance and repatriation.
- an installer or servicer of specialised equipment or machinery where installation or servicing is a condition of purchase can be employed for the length of time they’re required, up to three months.
- an entertainer, performing artist, film or video crew or support personnel can be employed for the length of time they’re needed. There are special requirements for these applicants
- a business investor whose residence application has been approved in principle and who is coming to New Zealand to investigate investment opportunities. Such investors can be eligible for a Work Permit for 12 months from the date of the approval in principle of their residence application.
- a chief executive or senior staff member of a multinational company for which similar applications have been approved. If approved, the Work Permit will be the length of the employee’s secondment up to three years, though further Work Permits may be possible after that time
- a sports player, a referee or professional coach can be employed for up to 12 months. Regional or national level coaches can be employed for up to three years. The employing New Zealand sports club needs to provide a written offer of employment.
Employers wanting an employee from overseas for some other specific purpose or event, will need to satisfy us that:
- the prospective employee needs to work in New Zealand for the period of time requested
and
- that they are qualified or skilled in areas relevant to the purpose or event
and
- their skills, attributes or expertise will benefit New Zealand.
We must also be satisfied that granting the prospective employee a Work Permit is not likely to adversely affect employment opportunities for New Zealand citizens or residents.