300 Silver Fern Job Search visas are available each year. It is a very popular scheme, and places are usually taken on the opening day.

2013/14 quota

The quota opened on 29 April 2013 at 10:00am (New Zealand time) and was filled within a very short time.

No further Silver Fern Job Search work visa applications can be submitted online at this time.

Important note: The demand for Silver Fern Job Search visas is exceptionally high. 300 places are available on an annual basis. There are currently no places available under this year's quota. If you have missed out on a place this year, you can try again next year. But please note that you will not be guaranteed a place, and that places are taken on a first in first served basis.

Online application service

Applications must be made using the online application system. You will need a valid Visa or MasterCard credit card. This is the only way to pay for your online application. Manual or paper-based applications which are received by INZ will be returned to the applicant. 

If your application is accepted you will be advised by email and asked to send in further documentation to the appropriate receiving office within three months.

If the documentation is not received within three months, the branch may determine your application without it.

Duration of Silver Fern Job Search work visas

The Silver Fern Job Search visa will be valid for travel for six months from the date it is issued. Once you enter New Zealand, the Silver Fern Job Search visa will allow you to stay for nine months from the date you arrived. You will be able to travel and re-enter New Zealand during this time.

Requirements

You must:

• be aged between 20 and 35 years of age (inclusive)
• be outside New Zealand during the application process
• hold a recognised bachelors degree, higher qualification, or a recognised trade qualification with a minimum of two years of work experience in that trade (see below)
• meet the English language requirements set out for principal applicants under the Skilled Migrant Category (IELTS level 6.5)
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you are here
• not have been previously granted a Silver Fern Job Search visa.

You must also meet our health and character requirements. Applicants for the Silver Fern Job Search visa must intend to find long-term skilled employment, so the health and character requirements applicable to people who intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months apply, regardless of the duration of the visa itself. You will have to provide evidence of your health and character (see the evidence you will need below).

Qualifications requirements

The Silver Fern Job Search visa is for highly skilled people with recognised qualifications. You will need to provide a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) assessment (either an International Qualification Assessment or a Qualifications Assessment Report) of your qualification, unless one of the following applies.

• Your qualification is on our List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment, or
• you have full or provisional registration and your qualification has been assessed by a New Zealand registration authority as being comparable to a New Zealand qualification on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment .

If your qualification is required for employment where occupational registration is required in New Zealand, you must show that you hold, or can obtain, full or provisional registration for that occupation in New Zealand.

Tertiary qualification

If you hold a tertiary qualification, you will need to show that it is equivalent to a New Zealand bachelors degree (level 7) or higher.

Trade qualification

If you hold a trade qualification, you will need to show that it is equivalent to a National Certificate (level 4) or a New Zealand Certificate (level 4) and that it is relevant to an occupation on part B or C of Appendix 6 - List of Skilled Occupations in the Operational Manual. You will also need to show that you have two years of work experience that:

• is relevant to your trade qualification
• has been gained in a comparable labour market to New Zealand 
• has been gained after you completed your trade qualification (it cannot include work experience required as part of the qualification)
• meets the additional requirements for recognised work experience.

Evidence you will need after you apply

If your online application is accepted, you will receive an email from us to let you know which documents we need, and where to send them. Unless indicated otherwise, you should send in certified copies of your documents. These documents include:

• Passport
  This must be the original passport you intend to travel with. It must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in New Zealand.
• Evidence of funds
  This can be bank statements, travellers’ cheques, or credit card statements showing sufficient credit. Statements must be under your name and show your own funds. The minimum amount required to support yourself is NZ$4,200.
• Evidence of English language ability
  You must submit an IELTS certificate confirming a band score of 6.5 or higher. If you meet the English language requirements in any other way, you must send the relevant evidence. For example, if you meet the English language requirement because you completed a recognised qualification taught entirely in English, you must show evidence that you completed the qualification AND that it was entirely taught in English (such as a letter from the institution where the course was taught).
• Qualification
  This must be your qualification itself or a letter from your educational institution. If the original document is not in English, it must be translated by a recognised translation service.
  
  If required, you must also include a NZQA assessment of your qualification.
  
  If required, you must also include evidence that you have occupational registration or can obtain the registration (eg a letter from the New Zealand registration body).
• Evidence of work experience
  If you hold a trade qualification, you must show that you have at least two years of experience relevant to that trade qualification. This can be your old employment agreement(s), employment records, or a letter from your former employer(s), with details of the position you held or the work you did. Other evidence may also be considered.
• Medical and police certificates
  The General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) PDF and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) PDF and any police certificate you submit, must be original documents.

For more details, see the Silver Fern Job Search: questions and answers.

How do I apply?

Applications must be made using the online application system. Before you think about applying, make sure you have met all the requirements on this page.