If you obtain an offer of employment in New Zealand you may qualify for a work visa under the Essential Skills policy.
Applicants must also prove that no New Zealand resident or citizen is available to do the work offered (Labour Market Test). All applicants and their dependents must also meet health and character requirements and apply separately from the main applicant.
If an applicant obtains an offer of employment in an occupation that is included on the current Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortages List, Regional Skill Shortage List, or the Long Term Skill Shortage List, and meets the specified criteria on that List, Immigration New Zealand will accept that no suitably qualified New Zealand citizen or resident is available. Some employers have Approval in Principle to employ non-New Zealand citizens or resident workers.
Online or paper-based applications can be tendered to Immigration New Zealand.
Government Fees and Processing Time
| Application Fee | US$332.00 |
| Partner Application Fee | US$33.00 |
| Dependents Application fee | US$33.00 |
| Second Installment | N/A |
| Processing Times | 2 to 6 months |
* All fees and processing time are obtained from government source.
PARTNERS AND CHILDREN
Partners and children of work visa holders may be eligible to apply for a work visa based on partnership and a dependent student or visitor visa, subject to the principal applicant’s job offer being assessed as meeting the criteria of a mid-skilled or high-skilled role (including meeting the relevant remuneration threshold). Partner and children will be granted visas for the same length as the work visa holder and will be entitled to work and study in New Zealand for the same period as the work visa holder. Children aged 20 and over aren’t eligible to be included in their parents’ temporary visa applications
