To be eligible for lawful employment in New Zealand, workers from overseas need to meet a number of conditions.
Before overseas workers get here
In addition to meeting our health and character requirements, the prospective employee needs to:
- prove to us they need a Work Visa or Permit for the length of time requested
and
- show us the job offer, invitation or schedule of events that describe their intended employment in New Zealand. (A visa or immigration officer may also ask them to provide evidence to prove they have international merit or distinction.)
and
- show they have qualifications or experience relevant to the position or event
and
- show how they’ll meet their living costs – for example, that they’ll be receiving a salary, or that they have a letter or agreement from their sponsor guaranteeing their accommodation and living costs during their stay
and
- show that they intend to leave New Zealand when their employment is completed - for example, that they have return tickets or a letter from a New Zealand employer guaranteeing that they’ll meet the cost of the employee’s travel back to their home country, if necessary.
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 be in line with the 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.
If an overseas worker breaks any of these conditions we may require them to leave the country immediately.