The Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa and the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa close to new applications on 31 October 2021 at 11:59pm.
These visas will be replaced by the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which is a new temporary work visa being introduced on 4 July 2022.
If you already hold one of these visas you can continue on your pathway to residence.
Applying for a WTR visa after 31 October 2021
If you have a work to residence (WTR) visa and have applied for a residence from work (RFW) visa you may find your WTR visa will expire before Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has processed your RFW application.
You will be able to apply for a WTR visa after 31 October 2021 if you meet the visa requirements.
If you applied on or before 31 October 2021
INZ will process your application.
If your application is approved you can continue on your pathway to residence and apply for a RFW visa in the future.
If you applied for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa and your employer’s accreditation expired before INZ processed your application, they will still process your application.
Talent (Accredited Employer) visa holders may move to a previously-accredited employer
If you have a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa you can now move to an employer who was accredited under the Talent (Accredited Employer) scheme, if the employer’s accreditation expired after 31 March 2021.
This gives you the flexibility to choose from a bigger pool of employers who have previously met accreditation requirements, as well as those with accreditation.
You must apply to vary the conditions of your visa if you want to change employers.
Residence pathways for WTR visa holders unable to return to New Zealand
Some Talent (Accredited Employer) and Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa holders who started a role in New Zealand were outside of New Zealand in March 2020, and were unable to return to New Zealand due to the COVID-19 border closures.
If this is your situation, you may be able to apply for a WTR visa after 31 October 2021, complete the required 2 years of employment in New Zealand, and work through to residence. The 2 year period begins at the start of the new employment period.
Hiring temporary workers after 31 October 2021
Employers can continue to support temporary migrant workers on an Essential Skills Work Visa up to 3 July 2022 without accreditation.
From 4 July 2022, employers can support temporary migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
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