Visas for long term, lower skilled positions

New Zealand’s visa categories are designed to enable employers to access the skills they need to fill gaps in their workforce, yet ensure that New Zealanders seeking employment are not disadvantaged.

Most potential employees with job offers for positions that are not on a shortage list apply for temporary Essential Skills work visas.  In some cases they may also meet criteria for a Resident visa.

In most cases, the candidate will need a job offer before applying for a visa, though some migrants already hold an ‘open’ work visa to work for any employer.

Have you tried to recruit for a long-term, lower-skilled position, but been unable to find any suitable New Zealand citizens or New Zealand residents? Is it a job for which you can’t readily train someone?

If this is your situation, working through this page may help you find the right options for your business.

Would you like to employ people under our Pacific Quotas?

New Zealand has international agreements which enable employers to recruit people who have been selected by ballot in our Pacific Quota categories. Successful applicants can obtain a resident visa if they are offered suitable long term employment. What you need to do

Have you tried to recruit New Zealanders without success?

If the position you are offering is not on a shortage list, yet you have not been able to recruit or train someone for the job, you could recruit a migrant temporarily. If the position is low skilled, your potential employee is unlikely to be able to obtain residence based on the job you are offering.

Essential Skills - Work Visa

You will need to support your candidate’s Essential Skills work visa application by providing information about your attempts to recruit New Zealanders and why you cannot train someone for the job. What you need to do

Essential Skills - Approval in Principle

You could apply to INZ for Approval in Principle to recruit workers from overseas. If your application is approved, you’ll have assurance that you can recruit appropriate workers from overseas. What you need to do

How about people who have an ‘open’ work visa and are looking for a long term job offer?

Work Visas for People Joining their Partner in New Zealand

If your prospective employee is the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident, or the partner of a work visa holder, they could have an open work visa and be able to work for any employer. What you need to do