If you have a job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand, you can apply for a work visa for up to 30 months under our Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Category. When you have worked here for an accredited employer for two years you can apply for residence.
Accredited employers are employers that we have pre-approved who need skilled or talented workers from overseas. To become accredited, employers have to prove to us that they:
Note: If you are to work more than 40 hours per week, the minimum base salary must be calculated on the basis of 40 hours work per week.
If your employer is not accredited, then you will not be eligible for a work visa under this category.
See the list of accredited employers who have agreed to make their accreditation public.
In addition to meeting our requirements for health and character you need to be aged 55 years or under.
If your occupation must be registered in New Zealand, we will also want to see evidence of your occupational registration here. This could be full or provisional occupational registration depending on your occupation.
You must have a genuine offer of employment from an accredited employer, for employment that is:
To be acceptable, an offer of employment must include:
The offer must meet the requirements of New Zealand's employment laws.
An offer of employment must be current at the time we assess your application for a work visa.
If you are eligible, we’ll issue you with a multiple entry work visa that allows you to work in New Zealand for an accredited employer for 30 months.
When you are here you must meet the conditions of your work visa. You may only work for an accredited New Zealand employer. If the accreditation of the employer you came to work for is cancelled or lapses, you will need to:
To apply for a variation of the conditions of your work visa you must provide a completed Application for Variation of Conditions (INZ 1020) PDF.
If you meet the requirements, find out how to apply.
If you meet the requirements and are granted a visa under Work to Residence instructions , after two years you can apply for a residence class visa. Find out more.
Accredited Employers List
Essential Skills in Demand Lists
Office and fees finder
Panel Doctors
Work Visa Application
Work Visa Guide
Application for Residence
Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport) Sponsorship Form
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