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 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)
• two recent passport-size photographs 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 certified photocopies only, as the documents will not be returned to you.

The extra evidence that you must submit depends on what type of work experience or training you want to do.

Evidence for medical or dental trainees

If you are a medical or dental trainee you must provide a letter of acceptance from the New Zealand hospital offering you practical training work. You must also meet funds requirements.

Evidence for students

If you are a student in your home country you must provide evidence that you have the support of your educational institution, and an offer of work from a New Zealand education institution or employer. You must also meet funds requirements.

Evidence for jockeys

If you are a jockey aged 16 or over, you must provide:

• an offer of employment to undertake an apprenticeship from a New Zealand trainer 
• a written guarantee that accommodation and living costs will be met, from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated
• a written guarantee from your New Zealand trainer that they will meet the cost of your travel back to your home country if necessary, should you not continue the apprenticeship.

For full details see the requirements section or refer to the guide.

Show us that you meet our 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 X-Ray Certificate for Temporary Entry (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 Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1007) PDF and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) PDF. If you have already provided this certificate within the last 36 months you may not need to provide a new certificates.

Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit chest 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, 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.

Note: Many of our branches provide checklists with local requirements on their branch web pages.

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 the more about applying for a visa section.