New Zealand Immigration – Work Permit
WORK TO RESIDENCE VISA (WTR)
If you gain insufficient points to be able to qualify for a Skilled Migrant visa, or if Immigration New Zealand believes you have potential, but want to see how you settle, you can obtain a Work to Residence Visa.
You can also apply for a WTR visa if your talents are needed by New Zealand employers, or you have exceptional talent in the arts, culture or sports, you can apply to work in New Zealand under the Work to Residence category.
There are two main work to residence applications
1. TALENT (ACCREDITED EMPLOYER) WORK POLICY
- Certain employers in New Zealand are accredited. Accredited employers enjoy a position of trust with the New Zealand Government and are able to recruit their own employees who they deem necessary for the fulfilment of their business and financial objectives.
- In order for an applicant to obtain a work to residence visa the applicant must be paid a minimum base salary of $55,000.00 per annum (based on a 40-hour week)
- On approval, a visa will be granted for a 30-month period, and following the applicant being employed in New Zealand for a period of two years for their accredited employer they will be eligible to apply for and obtain New Zealand residence under the residence from work scheme.
2. LONG TERM SKILLS SHORTAGE LIST
- If an applicant obtains a full time offer of employment in New Zealand in an area of absolute skill shortage the applicant will be granted a 30-month visa to allow the individual to be employed in that occupation in New Zealand.
- The difference in this policy, compared to the accredited employer scheme, is that if an individual is able to obtain an employment position in an area of absolute skill shortage, then the individual can be employed by any employer as long as the person is paid a base salary of a minimum of $55,000.00 per annum, and meets the requirements specified in the long term skill shortage list (minimum qualifications/experience).
WORKING HOLIDAY VISA (WHV)
There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the United Kingdom for a stay of up to 23 months
In order to obtain a WHV, you need to be able to fulfil the following criteria:
- Permanently living in the United Kingdom
- Have a British passport that's valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
- Be aged between18 and 30 years old
- Hold a return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket
- Have a minimum of NZ$350 per month available funds to meet your living costs while you’re in New Zealand
- Meet our health and character requirements
- Visit New Zealand as a holiday, with work being a secondary intention for your visit
- Not have had a visa or permit under a Working Holiday Scheme before.
When you’re in New Zealand
- You must not take up permanent employment (unless you apply for and are granted an ordinary Work Permit while you’re there)
- You must not work for a period exceeding 12 months
- You can enrol in one training or study course of up to three months duration during your visit.
TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT (TWP)
You may be eligible for a Temporary Work Permit of up to 3 years if you obtain an offer of employment from a New Zealand employer.
There are different policies which are used to determine eligibility for a temporary work permit, these include:
- If your job is listed on the immediate skills shortage list
- If an employer can prove there are no New Zealanders that can fill the position
- You are going to New Zealand to work for a specific event
- You are a trainee or student
- You are joining your partner in New Zealand
For more information on applying under this visa category please contact one of our immigration advisors.
