2014-Jul 11: Requirements for Employment Agreements

Visa Pak 170: Clarification on Employment Agreements and the requirement for them to be signed for INZ to accept them at lodgement stage.

Visa Paks

11 July 2014

In some instances applicants may submit a copy of an employment agreement that has not been signed with a handwritten signature, but confirms the applicant’s and employer’s agreement through an electronic “sign-off” system by way of a unique and secure log in, similar to that used by many banks.

Although Immigration New Zealand application forms must be signed with a handwritten signature to be accepted, there are no immigration instructions that specify other documents that must be signed with a handwritten signature. This means that an employment agreement supplied as part of an application that has been agreed to by the applicant and their employer through a unique and secure log in (rather than by a handwritten signature) may be accepted.

However, if an Immigration Officer has reason to be concerned about whether an employment agreement is accurate or genuine, then it would be appropriate in such instances to request further written confirmation of that agreement.

Staff can accept employment agreements that are agreed to through a unique and secure log in system (there may be not be a handwritten signature)

Staff can request further evidence of the applicant’s and/or employer’s agreement to the employment agreement where there are concerns about whether the document is accurate or genuine.