Work Visas

New Zealand offers several work visa options for people with suitable employment, qualifications, experience, family relationships, or a specific reason for working in the country.

The appropriate visa will depend on your proposed work, occupation, employer, qualifications, experience, remuneration, family circumstances, and current immigration status.

Navigating New Zealand's work visa landscape can be complex, but we are here to simplify the process. Trusthaven Immigration provides specialized professional advice and application assistance to workers, partners, graduates, and New Zealand employers.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

The Accredited Employer Work Visa—or AEWV—is New Zealand’s main temporary work visa for people who have an eligible job offer from an accredited employer.

An AEWV application generally requires:

A genuine offer of full-time employment from an accredited employer
An approved Job Check for the position
Employment for at least 30 hours per week
Pay and employment conditions that meet the applicable requirements
Relevant qualifications, occupational registration or work experience
English-language evidence where required
Acceptable health, character and genuine intentions

Applicants will usually need to demonstrate that they meet Immigration New Zealand’s minimum skill requirements and any additional requirements specified by the employer.

Evidence may include qualifications, employment certificates, detailed references, payslips, tax records and occupational registration. A CV or unsupported reference letter may not be sufficient evidence of work experience.

The duration of an AEWV and the total time a person may remain in New Zealand depend on factors such as the occupation, skill level, pay rate and previous AEWVs held.

Depending on the circumstances, the maximum continuous stay may be three or five years.

An AEWV is normally linked to the employer, occupation and work location recorded on the visa. A visa holder whose employment circumstances change may need a Job Change, variation of conditions or new work visa.

The ability to support visas for a partner or dependent children depends on the worker’s occupation, skill level, income and visa conditions.

We can assess the proposed employment, review the supporting evidence and prepare the AEWV application.

Green List Roles & Residence

New Zealand’s Green List identifies occupations that may provide a faster pathway to residence for suitably qualified and experienced people.

There is no separate “Green List work visa.” A person may initially hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa, Post-Study Work Visa or another visa that permits them to undertake the relevant employment.

They may then qualify for residence through the Straight to Residence or Work to Residence pathway.

Straight to Residence

Eligible people working in, or holding an acceptable job offer for, a Tier 1 Green List role may be able to apply directly for a Straight to Residence Visa.

Applicants must meet the specific requirements for their occupation. Depending on the role, these may include:

New Zealand occupational registration
A prescribed qualification
Relevant work experience
Minimum remuneration
Employment or an offer of employment from an accredited employer
Health, character, English-language and age requirements

Work to Residence

People employed in an eligible Tier 2 Green List role may be able to apply for residence after completing the required period of qualifying work in New Zealand.

The applicant must satisfy the occupational, employment and remuneration requirements during the qualifying period and when applying for residence.

Why Green List Planning Matters

Having a job title that appears on the Green List does not necessarily establish eligibility.

Immigration New Zealand may assess whether:

The applicant performs the required duties
The occupation has been classified correctly
The employer is accredited
The employment meets the applicable pay requirement
The applicant holds the prescribed qualification or occupational registration
The required period of qualifying work has been completed

A person can hold a valid work visa but still not qualify for Green List residence. It is therefore important to examine the residence requirements before accepting employment or applying for a work visa.

Changing Your Employer, Job or Location

Holding a work visa does not necessarily allow you to change your employment freely.

If you hold an employer-specific work visa and want to change your employer, occupation or work location, you may need to apply for:

A Job Change
A variation of visa conditions
A new work visa

The appropriate application depends on your existing visa conditions and the proposed employment. The new employer may also need to hold accreditation and an approved Job Check.

You should not begin working under the new arrangements until you have the required immigration permission.

Partnership-Based Work Visas

A person may qualify for a work visa based on their relationship with an eligible New Zealand citizen, resident, worker or student.

Immigration New Zealand will normally need to be satisfied that:

The relationship is genuine and stable
The couple is living together
The supporting partner is eligible to support the application
Both partners meet the applicable immigration requirements

Marriage by itself does not establish eligibility. The quality, consistency, and duration of the partnership evidence is important.

Partner of a Worker Work Visa

You may be eligible if your partner holds an eligible New Zealand work visa.

Eligibility and employment conditions depend on your partner’s visa, occupation, skill level, and remuneration. Some applicants may receive open work rights, while others may be subject to employment conditions.

Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa

You may be eligible if your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident and you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship.

The visa duration depends on the couple’s circumstances and the period for which they have lived together. This visa may also give the applicant time to meet the requirements for a future partnership residence application.

Partner of a Student Work Visa

You may be eligible if your partner holds a Student Visa and is studying:

An eligible Level 7 or Level 8 qualification; or
A Level 9 or Level 10 qualification

Eligibility depends on the particular programme of study and the immigration instructions applying at the time of application.

Post-Study Work Visa

Eligible international students who complete an approved New Zealand qualification may be able to apply for a Post-Study Work Visa.

The visa can allow a graduate to remain and work in New Zealand for up to three years, depending on the qualification completed and the period of study undertaken in New Zealand.

Work conditions depend on the qualification:

Holders of eligible degree-level qualifications may receive wider work rights.
Holders of eligible non-degree qualifications may be required to work in a position related to their studies.

Applicants must apply within the applicable timeframe and meet the qualification, funds, health, character and genuine-intentions requirements.

A Post-Study Work Visa is generally available only once. Course selection and changes to a programme of study can therefore affect future eligibility.

We can assess your study history, application deadline, work conditions and potential pathway after graduation.

Partner of Military Work Visa

The partner of an eligible member of the New Zealand Defence Force may be able to obtain a work visa based on that relationship.

The applicant must meet Immigration New Zealand’s partnership requirements, including demonstrating that the relationship is genuine and stable and that the couple is living together.

Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa

The partner of a student studying in New Zealand under an eligible New Zealand Government scholarship may be able to apply for a work visa.

Eligibility depends on the scholarship, the student’s visa and the couple meeting Immigration New Zealand’s partnership requirements.

Specific Purpose Work Visa

A Specific Purpose Work Visa may be available when someone needs to work in New Zealand for a defined purpose or event.

It may apply to certain:

Senior or specialist businesspeople
Employees on secondment
Installers or servicers of specialised equipment
Sportspeople, coaches, judges or referees
Nurses undertaking an approved registration process
People completing other recognised short-term assignments

The duration and evidence required depend on the particular purpose. Applicants may need to provide a job offer, invitation, assignment details, relevant qualifications or experience and evidence showing how long the work will take.

This visa is intended for a defined purpose rather than ordinary ongoing employment.

Student and Trainee Work Visa

This visa is available to people coming to New Zealand to gain practical work experience or undertake formal workplace training.

It can cover certain:

Medical and dental trainees
Religious trainees
Apprentice jockeys
Students undertaking approved practical training
Other applicants gaining experience related to their studies or profession

The proposed training must meet the requirements applying to the relevant category.

Special Country and Exchange Arrangements

New Zealand has work visa arrangements with certain countries, occupations and exchange programmes.

Requirements may include restrictions relating to citizenship, age, occupation, duration of employment or the number of visas available.

Seasonal Work Visas

New Zealand has visa options for eligible seasonal employment, including work in horticulture, viticulture and other approved seasonal roles.

Available categories may include employer-led seasonal visas and schemes involving specified employers or participating countries.

Eligibility can depend on:

The type of seasonal work
The employer’s immigration approval
The applicant’s nationality
The duration and timing of employment
Previous time spent working in New Zealand
Health, character and genuine intentions

Seasonal visas generally restrict the holder to approved work for a limited period.

Working Holiday Visas

New Zealand has Working Holiday schemes with several countries and territories.

Eligibility requirements—including age, available places, length of stay and permitted employment—vary between schemes. These visas are primarily intended for travel, with temporary employment helping the visa holder fund their stay.

Some Working Holiday Visa holders who complete qualifying seasonal work may be eligible for a short extension.

Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa

This visa is available to a migrant worker who holds an eligible employer-supported work visa and has reported credible workplace exploitation.

If granted, the visa can allow the person to leave the exploitative employment and work lawfully elsewhere while the matter is investigated.

Victims of Family Violence Work Visa

This visa is available to someone who has experienced family violence and was in a qualifying partnership with a New Zealand citizen, resident or temporary migrant.

The applicant must provide specified evidence of the family violence and meet the relevant relationship requirements.

If granted, the visa can provide independent work rights so the applicant is not required to remain dependent on an abusive partner for their immigration status.

Religious Worker Work Visa

This visa is for people undertaking recognised religious work for an eligible sponsoring religious organisation in New Zealand.

Qualifying activities may include:

Teaching religious scripture or philosophy
Leading worship, prayer or religious ceremonies
Providing spiritual guidance and care
Performing other recognised religious duties

The sponsoring organisation and proposed religious work must meet Immigration New Zealand’s requirements. The visa can initially be granted for up to two years, with the possibility of further time subject to eligibility.

Entertainers Work Visa

Entertainers, performers, production crew and certain other people working in New Zealand’s entertainment industry may require an Entertainers Work Visa.

The production or engagement must normally be supported by an eligible New Zealand organisation. Consultation with relevant industry bodies or unions may also be required.

The evidence and visa duration depend on the applicant’s role and the nature and length of the production.

Other Pathways from Temporary Work to Residence

A temporary work visa does not automatically lead to New Zealand residence.

In addition to the Green List pathways explained above, suitable employment may contribute to eligibility under:

Skilled Migrant Category
Care Workforce Work to Residence
Transport Workforce Work to Residence
Highly Paid Residence Pathway

Each pathway has separate requirements relating to matters such as occupation, qualifications, registration, remuneration and skilled work experience.

Obtaining early advice can help you understand whether your current or proposed employment supports a realistic residence strategy.

How We Can Help

Our Licensed Immigration Advisers can assist with:

Assessing your work visa options
Reviewing your job offer and employment documents
Checking qualification and work-experience evidence
Identifying occupational registration requirements
Preparing and submitting your visa application
Responding to Immigration New Zealand requests
Advising on partner and dependent-child eligibility
Planning potential residence pathways
Assisting with declined or complex applications

Immigration requirements change regularly, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Contact Trusthaven Immigration for advice tailored to your situation.

Get Professional Work Visa Advice