Applying for a temporary work visa or permit

When you can apply

You can apply for a work visa or permit when you are:

• living outside New Zealand and you want to travel here, or
• already in New Zealand but you are not employed.

Your partner and/or children

Your partner or dependent children cannot be included in your application. They will need to apply for their own visitor, student or work visa or permit to come to New Zealand.

Once you hold a work visa or permit, your partner may be able to apply for a work visa and work permit under our Family Stream.

If you need to stay longer

If you need to stay longer in New Zealand, you can apply for a further work permit.

You will need to allow enough time for a decision to be made on your application before your current permit expires. If your current permit expires, your application for a further permit does not make your stay in New Zealand lawful or give you the right to remain in New Zealand while your application is being considered.

There is no limit on the number of further permits you may obtain, however the policy that you apply under must continue to be met. For some policies, such as Essential Skills, this will include a labour market check to find out whether any New Zealand citizens or residents have become available to take up the position for which you are applying for a work permit.

Apply

Follow the steps to apply for a temporary work visa or permit under the relevant policy.

• Essential Skills – for people who have a job offer from a New Zealand employer. Find out how to apply.
• Specific Purpose or Event – for people who want to work here temporarily for a particular purpose or event such as a tournament, a show or for certain professional reasons. Find out how to apply.
• Students and Trainees – for students or trainees who want to gain work experience in New Zealand. Find out how to apply.
• Study to Work – for students eligible to work in New Zealand after completing their studies. Find out how to apply.
• Family Stream – for people who want to work temporarily while joining their partner here. Find out how to apply.
• Work Exchange Scheme – for people who want to take part in a work exchange scheme that has been pre-approved by us or is a government to government exchange scheme. Find out how to apply.
• China skilled work policies – for Chinese nationals who wish to apply to work in New Zealand under one of the China skilled work policies. Find out how to apply.