Follow these steps if you wish to apply for a work visa under our Work Exchange Scheme Category. To help you make sure you have everything you need to apply, print out our checklist.

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. 

Submit evidence to do with the exchange scheme

You must provide:

• evidence of acceptance to an approved work exchange scheme from the scheme organiser, and
• evidence of medical and dental insurance cover for the length of the exchange, and
• evidence that you have made onward travel arrangements for leaving New Zealand at the completion of your work exchange scheme.

Show us that you meet our health requirements

The evidence that you need to 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.

 

Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit X-ray certificates unless a special report is required. If you have already provided this certificate within the last 36 months you may not need to provide a new certificates.

 

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

Your application for a Work Exchange Scheme visa must be made and approved before you travel to New Zealand. Find out where to send your application.

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.