To help you make sure you have everything you need to apply, please print out our checklist and follow the steps to apply.

Note: you should be under 53 years of age when you apply for the work visa. This is because you have to be under 56 years to be eligible for residence.

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 everything we require, including the fee

Along with your completed (and signed) application form you will also need to provide all the information listed at the front of the application form and the correct fee. If you do not submit the required information with your application we cannot accept it for processing.

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.

Submit evidence of your offer of employment

You must submit your offer of employment on an Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) PDF. To be acceptable under this category, an offer of employment must be:

• in an occupation on the current Long Term Skill Shortage List
• genuine
• full time (on average, at least 30 hours a week)
• for a term of at least two years.

The offer must meet the requirements of New Zealand employment laws.

Submit evidence of registration if necessary 

Certain occupations require full or provisional registration in New Zealand. If your occupation is one of them, you must be registered or prove that you can meet the requirements for registration.

Show us that you meet our health requirements

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. 

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 guide Health Requirements (INZ 1121) PDF.

Show us that you meet our character requirements

You will also need to supply 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.