Working in New Zealand

Find out about the qualifications, work experience, skill level or registration you need for a work visa, your rights as a migrant worker, how to start a business, and what employers need to do to hire entertainment industry staff.

Preparing a visa application

Getting a job

Find out about working in specific roles or with specific employers in New Zealand.

Qualifications for work

You need to have specific qualifications, or evidence you have them, to be eligible for most work visas. Some qualifications allow you to apply for residence.

Skilled work

Skilled work if you are applying for a Skilled Migrant Category Visa or a China Skilled Workers Visa.

Starting a business: Entrepreneur Work Visa

Creating a business plan and claiming points if you are applying for an Entrepreneur Work Visa.

Work rights

Information about your rights as a worker in New Zealand and the responsibilities some employers have when they hire migrants.

How long can you work in New Zealand for

How long you can work on a Working Holiday Visa, Post Study Work Visa, Specific Purpose Work Visa and Essential Skills Visa.

Pay rates for existing Essential Skills Work Visas

The Essential Skills Work Visa closed to new applications on 4 July 2022. If you have an existing visa, your individual conditions will remain until the visa expires.

Qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa

Information about what qualifications are eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.

Employing overseas entertainers

Entertainment industry employers who want to hire overseas workers must explain why New Zealanders cannot do the work and provide evidence to support this.

List of ANZSCO occupations treated as an exception

We use ANZSCO Version 1.2 to assess the skill level of most occupations. Occupations that have a higher skill level in ANZSCO Version 1.3 are treated as exceptions.

Green List, highly paid and care workforce skilled residence visas

Eligibility criteria for the straight to residence, work to residence, highly paid skilled and care workforce residence visas.