Steps to apply for a visa or permit – Family Stream

To help you make sure you have everything you need to apply, please print out our checklist and follow the steps to apply.

Complete the form

Print and complete the form Application to Work in New Zealand (NZIS 1015) PDF.

Also available is the Guide for Working in New Zealand (NZIS 1016) PDF, which will help you to apply. 

If you cannot print the form and guide, they are available from your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.

Submit the fee and the evidence we require

You must submit everything listed at the front of the application form:

• your completed (and signed) application form
• the correct fee
• your passport or travel document (this must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand)
• a recent passport size photograph attached to the form at the section indicated.

If you do not submit the required information with your application we cannot accept it for processing. This is the only evidence for which you need to provide original documents. For all other evidence, please supply photocopies only, as the documents will not be returned to you.

Note: There may be additional requirements you must meet depending on the country from which you are applying. Any special requirements are available from your local branch.

Submit evidence of your relationship

You and your partner must provide evidence that you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship, and evidence of the duration of your relationship. This may include photocopies of:

• a marriage certificate
• a civil union certificate
• evidence of shared accommodation (ownership or tenancy documents, for example)
• documents indicating public recognition of your relationship
• evidence of financial interdependence, such as joint bank accounts, joint assets, joint liabilities (loans, credit to purchase real estate, cars, major home appliances, for example), and/or joint utilities accounts
• evidence of time spent together.

You will also need to supply:

• a completed Form for partners supporting partnership-based temporary entry applications (INZ 1146) PDF
• evidence that your partner intends to be in New Zealand for the same period of time you have applied for in this application.

The other evidence you must supply depends on your partner's immigration status.

Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident

You must supply evidence that your partner is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

Your partner is a work visa and/or permit holders

You must supply evidence of your partner’s work visa and/or permit or eligibility to obtain a work visa and/or permit.

Your partner is a student visa and/or permit holder

You must supply evidence of your partner’s student visa and/or permit or eligibility to obtain a student visa and/or permit to study for:

• a qualification in areas of absolute skill shortage as specified in the Long Term Skill Shortage List, or
• a postgraduate qualification.

Your partner is an NZAID-supported student permit holder

You must supply:

• an offer of employment, made on the Employer Supplementary Form (NZIS 1131) PDF
• evidence of registration if it your offer of employment is in an occupation that requires it in New Zealand
• evidence that you are suitably qualified by training and experience to do the job you have been offered
• written approval from NZAID.

Submit evidence that you meet health requirements

The evidence that you supply depends on how long you intend to work in New Zealand.

Working for more than six months but less than a year

You must provide a completed Temporary Entry X-Ray Certificate (NZIS 1096) PDF.

Working for more than a year

You must provide a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007) PDF.

For help completing the form, see the Medical & Chest X-ray Certificate - Applicant's Notes (NZIS 1133) PDF. Translations of these notes are available in several different languages.

Note: Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit X-ray certificates unless a special report is required.

For full details on health requirements, see our Health Requirements Leaflet (NZIS 1121) PDF.

Submit evidence that you meet character requirements

If you are applying for a work visa or permit for two years or more, you must provide a police certificate, less than six months old, from your country of citizenship and from any country in which you have lived for five or more years since reaching 17 years of age.

Lodge your application

If you are overseas, your application must be made and approved before you travel to New Zealand. Find out where to send your application.

If you are in New Zealand, you must send your application to your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.