In New Zealand, there are many types of work visa all serving different purposes but with the end goal of bringing or keeping migrant workers in the country. Most of the work visas are temporary but there are some that can lead to residency. I have discussed some of them on my youtube channel under the coming to New Zealand playlist. Do well to visit for more in-depth information on the how to apply for these visas.
Having this knowledge will save you from being defrauded of your hard-earned money especially in the current economic clime.
What is a work visa?
Work visas, also called work permit, allows a person to take a job in a foreign country. With a work visa, you can travel to another country and work there. In many cases, having a work visa is mandatory to resuming an employment in another country. There are special cases where you will need to have a work visa before applying for certain roles or accepting employment.
Now let’s explore the list of New Zealand work visas.
Types of New Zealand work visa
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): This is New Zealand’s main work visa. It is a temporary work visa that allows employee to live and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years. From November 2023, the AEWV will include a longer visa length. Read about these changes here. This visa application cost from $750. Everything you need to know about this visa and its application process are documented here.
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. This visa is for migrant workers to come to NZ as residence so, it’s a live and work type visa. These people must skills New Zealand needs for economic growth. This visa application cost from $4,880. Like the AEWV, there has been massive changes to this visa which you can read about here. SMC resident visa is not for people who are self-employed, those ones will need an Entrepreneur Resident Visa. Again, I have discussed everything on my channel and I have also discussed the latest changes that have been made.
- Entrepreneur Work Visa. This visa gives you the permission to come to NZ to buy or set up your own business. However, you must have NZ$100,000 to invest, a business plan and must be able to claim 120 points on INZ’s point scale. If you approved, you can work in your business in NZ for up to 3 years in total, during which you can apply for the Entrepreneur Resident visa. This visa application cost from $3,920.
- Post Study Work Visa – for students who have just completed their studies in New Zealand. This visa application cost from $700.
- Global Impact Work Visa – is for innovative entrepreneurs or investor that are selected by Edmund Hillary Fellowship. It is a 3-year open work visa that enables them live and work in NZ with a path to permanent resident. This visa application cost from $860.
- Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa (for seasonal employers). Well discussed on the channel too. Who can apply? Documents required etc. This visa application cost from $325.
- Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa. Your girl has got you. You can only apply for this visa if you are already in New Zealand. And, you can also apply if you’re in New Zealand on a visitor visa. This visa application cost from $700.
- Specific Purpose Work Visa – one example of this is recovery visa that I mentioned on my channel. This visa application cost from $700.
- New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is popular for Europeans and South Americans. Simply put, it’s a visitor visa with working rights because as you know, you cannot work in NZ on a visitor visa. This visa gives you that right to work. This visa application cost from $420.
- Working Holiday Extension Work Visa for those already on a working visa and have experience in seasonal work. This visa application cost from $420.
- New Zealand Diplomatic Visa. The official name is “domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa”. The name says it all. Apply for it, if you are a domestic worker for diplomatic, consular or official staff posted in New Zealand. This visa enables you provide those services. Your employer and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade must support your application. Application fees is from $700.
- Partner of a student work visa – allows you work in New Zealand if you have a partner studying an eligible qualification. Similarly, Partner of a worker work visa allows you work in NZ while your partner is in NZ on a work visa. Both visas cost from $700 to apply.
- Entertainers Work Visa is for people who want to work on a film or video product. Basically, to work in the entertainment industry. Application fees is from $700.
- Religious Worker Work Visa – for people with job offers for religious work from religious organisations registered as charity organisation in NZ. It cost from $700 to apply.
As you can see, there is nothing like “NZeTA work visa“. So… if anyone tells you they are getting you NZeTA work visa. Darling, they are about to scam your ass. Run!
Work Visa Application Process
The process of getting a work visa is generally the same across the world. Extra requirement will be needed depending on country, the type of work visa, and the personal situation of the immigrant worker. For New Zealand, you will need to have a job or job offer first before you apply. So, step 1 is get a job or job offer from appropriate employer based on the work visa you intend to apply for.
