Are you planning to work in New Zealand for a short period of time? New Zealand offers a range of temporary work visas. Some of these visas can also lead to permanent residency in New Zealand.

This visa will close to applications on 3 July 2022, and be replaced by the Accredited Employer Work Visa from 4 July 2022.

If you have been offered a full-time job, and you have the necessary qualifications and experience to work in that job, you can apply for a temporary visa to work in New Zealand. Your employer must have checked if any New Zealanders were available to do the work before offering you the job. If you are granted this visa, you may be able to support visa applications for your partner and dependent children.

Cost: $495

Processing Time: 4 months

Duration: Up to 3 years, depending on your pay rate.

Applications from outside New Zealand for most working holiday visas are currently suspended. 

Working Holiday Visas are available to young people, usually aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a selected few countries. The visa lets you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you are from the UK or Canada. If you apply for a 23-month visa, you must provide a General Medical Certificate.

To be eligible, you must be a passport holder from one of the eligible countries.

Cost: $280

Duration: Depends on your nationality

This visa is closed unless you have already held this visa, you are reapplying and you are waiting for a residence from work visa or you have been able to return to NZ due to the closed border.

This visa offers a pathway to New Zealand residence. To apply, you’ll need to have the specified work experience, qualifications and occupational registration to work in an occupation on our Long-Term Skill Shortage List and an offer for work in that occupation. If you continue working in that occupation in New Zealand for 2 years, you can apply for residence.

This visa is closed unless you have already held this visa, you are reapplying and you are waiting for a residence from work visa or you have been able to return to NZ due to the closed border.

This visa is for people who are looking for a pathway to live in New Zealand and who have a skill that is needed by a New Zealand accredited employer. If an accredited employer offers you full-time work, you’ll be able to get a visa to work here. If you continue to work for that employer for 2 years, you’ll be able to apply to live in New Zealand permanently.