Visa Requirements for New Zealand

A Visa is for a foreign individual who want to enter a specific country for the purpose of Leisure, Business, or Employment. In New Zealand, they are now welcoming migrant workers who can contribute to the country’s economy because at present, they are experiencing skills shortage so they welcome anybody who can bring valuable skills or qualifications by working in New Zealand. Among the sectors where New Zealand is experiencing skills shortage is in:

• Information and Communications Technology
• Agriculture
• Engineering
• Education
• Health
• Trades

Working in New Zealand is one way of achieving residency status in the said country. And if you want to migrate or work in New Zealand, there are a number of visa options that are available. Among the visa options available to foreign individuals are:

Skilled Migrant - Working in New Zealand under this category is one way to achieve residency in this country. The skilled migrant category is designed to assure that individuals migrating and working under this category have the necessary skills the country needs. This category works on a points based system which is based on the foreign workers qualifications, work experience, or job offer from an employer based in New Zealand.

Work to Residence - Foreign individuals who are planning to work in New Zealand under this category should have exceptional talent in sports or the arts or should be qualified in occupations that are in demand in New Zealand. Working under this category allows a foreign individual to get a temporary work visa or permit which is a step in gaining permanent residence.

Residence from Work - This category is for individuals who are already working in New Zealand and want to apply for residence.

Employee of a Relocating Company - If you are a key employee working in New Zealand under a business that is relocating its operations to New Zealand, then you can apply for a work permit and later a residence permit under the Employee of a Relocating Company category.

Working in New Zealand has some eligibility requirements and if you are planning to work in New Zealand under a temporary work visa or permit, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

1. A job offer from a New Zealand employer.
2. There is a specific purpose or event for which you need to come to New Zealand to work.
3. You are a student or trainee who wants to work in New Zealand
4. You want to join your partner and work in New Zealand.

Certain kinds of work do not require a work visa or permit. If your reason for working in New Zealand involves visits for business negotiations, short-term sales trips, work for official trade missions recognized by the New Zealand government, or work for overseas governments, you may be able to do it while on a visitor visa or permit. You do not need to comply with the work visa or permit requirements if you are a New Zealand citizen or you hold a New Zealand residence permit, or an Australian citizen, or the holder of a current Australian permanent residence visa including a current Australian resident return visa.

There are also a number of permits or visa requirements that needs to met before you can enter and start working in New Zealand. To enter New Zealand, you must be:

1. In good health and of good character.
2. You must have a passport that is valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand. You must also be genuine in your desire for working in New Zealand.
3. Have the right visa for your visit.

If you are granted a temporary work permit, you need to meet certain conditions during your stay. The work you do must be in line with the conditions for working in New Zealand and should be specified in your permit and you must abide to all New Zealand’s laws. You must only stay in New Zealand for the time specified in your permit.