If you have a job offer from a New Zealand employer you may be able to get a temporary work visa under the Essential Skills work category.
The ANZSCO is a list of occupations that we use as part of the assessment of applications under Essential Skills category. It provides information about:
Find out more, and see the ANZSCO.
In addition to meeting our health and character requirements, you will need to prove that you are suitably qualified for the position by showing evidence of qualifications or training you have undertaken or work experience you have gained. When assessing whether you are suitably qualified for a position, we will consider whether you have the qualifications and/or work experience described as the prerequisite for the occupation on the ANZSCO.
Your job offer must come from a New Zealand employer who can prove to us that there are no suitable New Zealand workers available to do the job. This can be done in three ways.
The objectives of Essential Skills work category are not met by a person undertaking employment in their own business rather than for a third party. People wishing to obtain a work visa by establishing and operating their own business in New Zealand should apply for a Long term Business Visa (WR5).
To get an approval in principle before you apply, or to show us that there are no suitable New Zealand workers available when you are applying, the employer has to show that they have have genuinely searched for suitably qualified and trained New Zealand workers.
The employer also has to explain why:
We also need to be satisfied that the employer has previously met – and will continue to meet – New Zealand employment and immigration laws.
We usually conduct a labour market test to confirm that no suitable New Zealand workers are available.
We will not consider that the evidence is sufficient if either of the following situations apply:
Essential Skills work visas will usually be issued with a maximum duration of three years where an applicant’s job offer is for an occupation classified as an ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2 or 3. However, there is a special instruction allowing a visa of up to five years if:
You may only obtain a five year visa once. If you wish to continue working, and still meet the requirements of Essential Skills work category, you may apply as normal for a visa with a three year maximum duration.
Visas for successful applicants whose application is based on an employment offer for an occupation classified as ANZSCO Skill Level 4 or 5 will be granted for a maximum duration of one year.
If you think that you and your offer of employment will meet the requirements, the how to apply section will tell you what you and the employer offering you a job need to do to apply for your temporary work visa.
Essential Skills in Demand Lists
Office and fees finder
Panel Doctors
Work Visa Application
Work Visa Guide
Application for Residence
Form for partners supporting partnership-based temporary entry applications
Partnership-based Temporary Visa application
Partnership-based Temporary Visa Guide
More forms and guides...