The recruitment process

If you’re new to recruiting staff from overseas, we’ve put together some pointers to help you through the recruitment process.

Planning the recruitment process

• Check that your job vacancy will meet the requirements of one of the visa categories, and find out what you need to do to support a migrant’s visa application.
• When planning offshore recruitment, consider which country or countries you are likely to find suitable candidates in. Some countries have rules and regulations that you may need to take into account when recruiting, for example China.
• Can you increase your reach by being creative about getting the message out there? For example with or via other employers, your industry association or a recruiter?
• Set realistic timeframes:
  • Allow time to undertake your usual employment processes such as advertising, evaluating CVs, interviewing, and checking references.
  • Allow time for the migrant to prepare to migrate, eg sell their home, gather documents for their visa application (such as medical and police certificates), and to obtain occupational registration if necessary.
  • Allow time for the visa application to be processed.

Describing the job

• Write a clear, realistic and specific job description that candidates you wish to target will understand.
• Include key details such as the nature of the role, leave provisions, salary and a job title that they will understand. Migrants will be interested in the relocation package.
• For more help, check our Immigration Guide for Employers (INZ 1031) PDF [339KB], and for help with writing an employment agreement, use the free Employment agreement builder.

Making an offer

Once you find the right person, you can make them a job offer. The offer should include conditions that indicate the job is subject to the applicant gaining an appropriate work or resident visa.

Your new employee cannot start working for you until they have the appropriate visa and the job offer must be current when the person applies for their visa.

You can also find guidance on employing staff in the How to Hire Guide for Employers. This guide explains the general recruitment process and relevant legislation from www.dol.govt.nz. You can order a copy by calling 0800 20 90 20.

Please note: As an employer there will be times when your employees may require 'immigration advice'. Anyone providing advice about New Zealand immigration matters must be licensed, unless they are exempt under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. For further information on how you are able to assist your employees, please see the Factsheet for Employers: What to do when your employee needs immigration advice.