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

Cast and crew

There are special evidence requirements and a different application form for entertainers, performing artists and associated support personnel, film and video production and post-production crew, producers, and directors. See the entertainers page for details.

Complete the form

Print and complete the form Work Visa Application (INZ 1015) PDF.

Also available is the Work Visa Guide (INZ 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: Many of our branches provide checklists with local requirements on their branch web pages.

Submit evidence of your job offer

You must provide us with:

• proof of the length of time you need to work in New Zealand 
• the job offer, invitation or schedule of events that describe your intended employment (an immigration officer may also ask you to provide evidence proving you have international merit or distinction)
• a letter or agreement from your employer guaranteeing your accommodation and living costs are covered during your stay.

Applicants for a specific purpose visa under the following categories also need to provide an Employer Supplementary Form - Work Visa Application PDF [171KB] with sections A and B completed:

• senior or specialist business people on short term secondments who have a job offer either in a substantial New Zealand company or a New Zealand subsidiary of an overseas company
• dance and music examiners of recognised international teaching institutions with a job offer* to conduct examinations in New Zealand
• sports players and professional sports coaches taking up a paid position in a New Zealand sports club who have a written offer of employment from that club
• Philippines nurses seeking entry to obtain New Zealand occupational registration who have a job offer from a District Health Board and have been accepted for the Nursing Council's Competence Assessment Programme.

*Dance and music examiners who have a written invitation will not need to provide an Employer Supplementary Form.

Submit evidence that you intend to leave New Zealand

You must provide evidence that you intend to leave New Zealand when your employment is completed. For example, you can provide:

• evidence that you have outward tickets or the money to buy them, or
• a letter from a New Zealand employer guaranteeing that they will meet the cost of your travel back to your home country if necessary.

Show us that you meet our health requirements

The evidence that you need to 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 Chest X-Ray Certificate (INZ 1096) PDF if you have risk factors for tuberculosis. If you have already provided this certificate within the last 36 months you may not need to provide a new certificates.

Working for more than a year?

You must provide a completed General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) PDF and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) PDF. If you have already provided these certificates within the last 36 months you may not need to provide new certificates.

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 guide Health Requirements (INZ 1121) PDF.

Show us that you meet our character requirements

If you are applying for a work visa for two years or more, you must provide a police certificate, which is 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.

More about applying for a visa

For more information about getting your documents together, how long the application process might take, and what you can expect from us, see more about applying for a visa.