WK1.5 Overview (28/08/2017)

1. Essential Skills work instructions provide for the grant of work visas to overseas workers with an offer of employment to work in New Zealand.
2. Essential Skills work visas may only be granted if:
   1. the employment is acceptable (WK3.5); and
   2. there are no New Zealand citizens or residents available for the work (WK3.10); and
   3. the employer meets requirements (WK3.15); and
   4. the applicant meets requirements (WK3.20).
3. The skill band of the employment (WK3.5.1) generally determines the currency of an Essential Skills work visa granted and the ability of an Essential Skills work visa holder to support temporary visas for family members.

WK1.5.1 Applications with approval in principle

1. Employers wishing to recruit foreign workers for a specific role or roles may request approval in principle (AIP).
2. When considering a request for approval in principle, Immigration New Zealand will assess the availability of New Zealanders to do the work, and the requirements related to the employment and the employer, in advance of the applicant making a work visa application.
3. Where an Essential Skills work visa application is made based on AIP, generally only the requirements related to the applicant (WK3.20) will be assessed.

WK1.5.5 Applications without approval in principle

1. Overseas workers who have been offered employment in New Zealand do not require approval in principle and may apply directly to Immigration New Zealand for an Essential Skills work visa.
2. In the case of a direct application for an Essential Skills work visa, requirements related to the employment, employer, applicant and the availability of New Zealanders will be assessed together.

Effective 28/08/2017