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 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 without a job offer must supply

If you are applying under our Study to Work Category but you do not have a job offer, you will be applying for a Graduate Job Search work visa for up to 12 months. You must provide:

• evidence that you have successfully completed a qualification or qualifications in New Zealand that meet(s) the qualification requirements
• evidence that your application for a work visa has been lodged no later than three months (six months if you have completed a doctoral qualification) after the end date of the student visa for that qualification
• evidence of a minimum of NZ$4,200 available to maintain yourself during your 12-month stay in New Zealand (we will accept traveller's cheques or bank documents in your name).

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 (INZ 1113) PDF and submitted with your application form.

You must also provide evidence that you have completed a qualification or qualifications that meet(s) the qualification requirements.

If you are applying for a three-year work visa 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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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