You may be eligible for a work visa if you are coming to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event for which your skills, attributes or expertise will benefit New Zealand.

People who can apply under these instructions

You can apply under these instructions if you are:

• A senior or specialist businessperson on short-term secondment with an offer of employment in either a substantial New Zealand company or a New Zealand subsidiary of an overseas company. If approved, your work visa will be for the length of your secondment up to a maximum of 12 months.
• A sports referee with a written invitation or schedule of events invited to referee sports events in New Zealand. If approved, your work visa will be for the length of your engagement and not usually for more than six months.
• A judge of a show, display or exhibition, with a written invitation or schedule of events, invited to judge shows, displays, or exhibitions. If approved, your work visa will be for the length of your engagement and not usually for more than six months.
• A dance or music examiner of a recognised international teaching institution with a written invitation or offer of employment to conduct examinations in New Zealand. If approved, your work visa will be for the length of the examinations and not usually for more than six months.
• An installer or servicer of specialised equipment or machinery who can show that installing or servicing the equipment is a condition of purchase. If approved, your work visa will be for the length of time required, up to three months.
• An entertainer, performing artist, film or video crew or support personnel. If approved, your work visa will be for the length of time requested. There are special requirements for these applicants.
• A business investor whose residence application has been approved in principle and who is coming to New Zealand to investigate investment opportunities. Your work visa will be for 12 months from the date of the approval in principle of your residence application.
• A chief executive or senior staff member of a multinational company for which similar applications have been approved. If approved, your work visa will be for the length of your secondment up to three years, though further work visas may be possible after that time.
• A sports player, a referee or professional coach with a written offer of employment from a New Zealand sports club. If approved, your work visa will be for the duration of the employment offer up to 12 months, or up to a maximum of three years for regional or national level coaches.
• A Philippines nurse seeking entry to obtain New Zealand occupational registration with a written offer of employment from a District Health Board and proof you have been accepted for the Nursing Council’s Competence Assessment Programme. If approved, your work visa will be granted for up to three months.

Tour guides

If you are a tour guide, leader or escort and you will be working while you are in New Zealand, you will need to apply for a specific purpose work visa before you arrive.  Working is any activity resulting in gain or reward, including any form of payment or benefit that can be valued in terms of money, such as board and lodging, goods (e.g., food or clothes) and services (e.g. transport).

If you are granted such a specific purpose visa, it will generally be endorsed with multiple journey conditions. This will allow you to travel to New Zealand multiple times for the duration of your visa with one month stay each visit.

The following durations will generally apply:

• if your employment is ongoing - 3 years multiple journey visa with one month stay per visit (or as appropriate).
• if the employment is for a limited time – duration that is appropriate to the length of employment with one month stay per visit (or as appropriate).

Other specific purposes or events

If you want a work visa for some other specific purpose or event, you will need to satisfy us that:

• you need to work in New Zealand for the period of time you’re requesting, and
• you’re qualified or skilled in areas relevant to the purpose or event, and
• your skills, attributes or expertise will benefit New Zealand.

Requirements

In addition to meeting our health and character requirements, you need to:

• prove to us you need a work visa for the length of time requested
• show us the job offer, invitation or schedule of events that describe your intended employment in New Zealand (an immigration officer may also ask you to provide evidence that you have international merit or distinction)
• show that you have qualifications or experience relevant to the position or event
• show how you will meet your living costs (for example, evidence that you will be receiving a salary, or a letter or agreement from your sponsor guaranteeing your accommodation and living costs during your stay)
• show that you intend to leave New Zealand when your employment is completed (for example, return tickets 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).

Before we grant a work visa we will ensure that:

• your employment will not limit employment opportunities for New Zealanders, unless the benefits of employing you outweigh the loss of job opportunities and
• your employer shows that they have considered employing New Zealanders, where appropriate.

Bringing your family with you

If you are eligible, your partner or any dependent children can apply for a visitor visa to accompany you for the length of your stay. If they meet our requirements, dependent children may instead apply for a student visa.

Apply

If you need a work visa and, and you meet the requirements, find out how to apply.