Options for repeat or high volume hiring

You can get accreditation to use the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to hire migrants on visas for up to 3 years. You must pay at least the NZ median wage, unless the role is on an exemption list, and show that you cannot find suitable New Zealanders first.

We work with arts and music festival organisers to simplify the visa application process. Performers and direct support staff participating in an ‘approved’ arts or music festival can come to New Zealand as visitors.

You could consider applying for Entertainment Industry Accreditation if you have a need to recruit multiple entertainment industry workers from overseas. If you become an accredited employer, you can avoid having to ask a New Zealand Union entertainment union, guild or professional association for their agreement each time you need to hire someone.

We work with entertainment promoters to simplify the visa application process. Performers and direct support staff of short-term live entertainment acts promoted by an ‘approved promoter’ can enter New Zealand as visitors.

Employers can apply for an Approval in Principle to recruit 7 or more foreign crew for work on a fishing vessel. Approvals in Principle will only be approved if there aren’t enough New Zealanders available to do the work.

Each year approximately 1,750 people from the Pacific are granted residence under the Samoan Quota Scheme and Pacific Access Category (PAC).

You should consider becoming a Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) if you are a horticulture or viticulture employer who cannot find New Zealand workers to plant, maintain, harvest and pack crops. If granted RSE status, you can then apply for an Agreement to Recruit which allows you to recruit workers from offshore to fill these roles.

You may wish to consider applying for a Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Approval in Principle, if you need to supplement your New Zealand workforce with overseas workers to manage seasonal labour demands. If we approve your application, you can employ the number of overseas workers detailed in your Approval in Principle. To be able to work for you, workers must already be in New Zealand and have an SSE Work Visa.

You can consider applying for Work Exchange Scheme approval if you wish to arrange short-term work opportunities in New Zealand and overseas as part of a reciprocal arrangement. People from overseas who have been accepted into an approved work exchange scheme can work for up to 12 months in New Zealand. If your scheme allows it, they can apply to bring partners and dependent children with them too.