China Special Work Category Visa

Support a candidate's visa application

If you’re looking to hire someone from China who’s qualified as a Chinese chef, Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioner, Mandarin teachers’ aide, Wushu Martial Arts coach or Chinese tour guide, you may be able to do so under this category. To support your candidate’s visa application, you’ll need to provide them with a job offer for the special work you’d be bringing them to New Zealand to do.

What an employer needs to do

View All Evidence

When your candidate applies for a visa, they must provide a copy of a written employment agreement, which must:

  • be for one of the special occupations specified under the China Special Work Category
  • be for at least 30 hours a week and be ongoing for at least 12 months
  • include a full job description, terms and conditions for the job, and your contact details
  • comply with New Zealand employment law.

Minimum employment rights

Tips

You do not have to check if there are any New Zealanders available to do the work before you offer the job.

Special occupations under China Special Work Caregory are:

  • Chinese chef
  • Traditional Chinese medicine practioners
  • Mandarin teacher
  • Wushu martial arts coach
  • Chinese tour guide.

What happens next

Provide a job offer

To employ someone under this visa, you will first have to provide a job offer in one of the special occupations specified under the China Special Work Category.

Candidate applies for a work visa

Your candidate will need to apply for a visa to allow them to work for you.

For us to process their visa application, they must send us all the information we ask for, including a copy of their job offer and evidence they’re qualified to do the work they’ve been offered.

We may contact you for more information about your job offer.

Guide to Special China Temporary Class Visas (INZ 1157) PDF 396KB

Work Visa Application for China Skilled Work Instructions (INZ 1158) PDF 336KB

Supplementary Form for Chinese visitors, workers and students (INZ 1027) - 补充表 - 适用于中国公民的访问, 学生及工作申请 PDF 338KB

Wait for a decision

We make a decision about your candidate’s application as soon as we can. You can view our historic visa timeframes below.

Fees and decision times

Employee starts work

Your candidate must be granted a visa before they can start working for you.

Once their visa is granted, they have 6 months to arrive in New Zealand.

Your employee will only be able to work for you doing the special work they’ve been brought to New Zealand to do. They won’t be allowed to work for anyone else or do any other work, even if that work is for you.

Preparing for your migrant staff