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/Permit Application (INZ 1015) PDF [182KB].
Also available is the Work Visa/Permit Guide (INZ 1016) PDF [216KB], 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 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.
The other evidence that you must supply depends on whether you have a job offer.
Evidence students with a job offer must supply
Your offer of employment must be relevant to your qualification, and must be made on the Employer Supplementary Form (NZIS 1131) PDF and submitted with your application form.
You must also provide:
- evidence that you have completed a qualification that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of Residence Policy, or
- evidence that you have successfully completed a course in New Zealand that took at least three years to complete.
If you are applying for a three-year work permit because you are working towards obtaining a membership or registration from a New Zealand professional association (such as the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants or the New Zealand Registered Architects Board), you need to provide us with more evidence.
- You must show that you need membership or registration to fully perform your professional duties.
- You must show that the employment is considered relevant practical experience by the professional association. Evidence might include documentation from the professional association, or from the employer, which says how the employment meets the association’s requirements.
- You must show that your New Zealand qualification meets the requirements for registration or membership of the professional association.
Evidence students without a job offer must supply
If you are applying under our Study to Work Policy but you do not have a job offer, you will be applying for a Graduate Job Search work visa and/or permit for up to 12 months. You must provide:
- evidence that you have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of Residence Policy
- evidence that your application for a work permit has been lodged no later than three months after the end date of the student permit for that qualification
- evidence of a minimum of NZ$2,100 available to maintain yourself during your 12-month stay in New Zealand (we will accept traveller's cheques or bank documents in your name).
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 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.
Show us that you meet our 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.
More about applying for a visa or permit
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 or permit section.