New Zealand Immigration Services

Work Visa

What is an Accredited Employer Work Visa?

An Accredited Employer Work Visa allows an employee to live and work in New Zealand for up to three years. Certain occupations can also gain a pathway to residence. These jobs are listed on what is called "The Green List", and for these roles, migrants can apply for residence immediately if they are within the listed professions or after completing two years of work in NZ. This visa category is for workers whose skills are in high demand in New Zealand but are not available locally.

What are the criteria for the AEWV?

Applicants must have a full-time job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer:

• Who has been unable to fill that position with a local worker
• Who has completed a Job Check
• The employer needs to demonstrate that the pay is equal or above the median wage
• And the employer must be able to demonstrate that attempts to recruit talent locally have failed by completing a labour market test

All applicants must:

• Meet "good character" requirements – a police certificate from your country of origin is required
• Meet "good health" requirements – a medical certificate from your country of origin is required
• Provide evidence of work experience and qualifications for the job offered

What is the application process and how long does it take?

You apply online. Immigration New Zealand has said it takes 20 days (on average) and up to 44 working days to process the visa application. As soon as you have a job offer, you should begin getting your documents in order, including work verification documents, evidence of qualifications, police clearances, and medical and X-ray certificates.

To apply, send your application, supporting documents, and application fees to Immigration New Zealand.

Note: There is no official list of accredited employers. Employers do not need to declare online that they are accredited. If you have a job offer and are in doubt about an employer's accreditation status your best option is to simply ask if they are accredited.

Pro tip: To reduce your processing time, make sure your application is error-free and includes complete information and all documentation as specified by INZ requirements. Not sure you've done it all correctly? Contact us to evaluate your case.

How much does the AEWV application cost?

Application costs will vary, depending on your country of origin and what country you're in when you apply for your visa. Also bear in mind that you will have to pay for medical screenings, police records, and possibly translations. The AEWV Visa cost starts at $750. To confirm your fee, visit INZ fee finder and enter your location.

There are no refunds if your application is declined. For country-specific information on application costs, visit INZ's fees finder.

When to get help

If you're considering applying for the AEWV to work in New Zealand, you should seek legal advice at the outset. If your visa application is rejected, your fees will not be refunded, and you'll have to start the entire process over from the beginning.

The AEWV category produces a significant number of unsuccessful applications due to applicants not fully understanding or completing the paperwork. What things do people most often get wrong on their Visa application?

Common reasons for rejection include:

• Applicants may not be able to prove their ability to do the job at the level required
• Job experience or skills achieved overseas may not match the criteria of the job check application or fail to meet the standards required
• Character requirements are not met
• Health conditions are not met

In our experience, many applicants and employers misinterpret the rules set forth by INZ and fail to meet the requirements.

How we can assist

We can review your application and advise you on what evidence you should provide to build the best case. Employers are unlikely to hold a job open for you if you run into difficulty obtaining a visa, so it's important that all documentation is accurate and up to date to ensure smooth processing for all parties involved.

Working Holiday Visas

Every year hundreds of young people apply for New Zealand working holiday visas, and spend a year or two working in New Zealand.

Start planning your trip

Once you have applied for your working holiday visa, it is time to start planning your trip. Explore these two useful Government websites to learn more about visiting, working and living in New Zealand.

Get Expert Work Visa Guidance →

Residence Visa

Check if your skills are in demand

New Zealand's employment market is growing steadily. There are job opportunities available across the board but some specific skills are urgently needed. If your skills are listed as in demand you may find it easier to get a visa.

Come for a visit

It is often a good idea to come out to New Zealand for a holiday before making the move. You can use it as an opportunity to experience life here, meet potential employers and check whether New Zealand is right for you.

Explore your visa options

A visa application is not cheap, and the process can take some time. So before you start, check your visa options and work out which is right for you.

Explore Your Residence Options →

Visitor Visa

What is the New Zealand Visitor Visa?

A New Zealand Visitor Visa allows you to travel to New Zealand either for holidaying or to meet your family and friends. Under the general category, the Visitor/Tourist Visa can be granted for a maximum duration of nine months. It is mostly used by people coming to New Zealand for a short stay – for example, inviting your family to come and spend time here.

As well as the general category, there is a range of special category visas available for visiting New Zealand, depending on your circumstances. The most common of these are New Zealand Visitor Visa for Family based on partnerships and dependent children or Temporary Visa.

We can advise you on the kind of New Zealand Visitor Visa or New Zealand Parents Visitor Visa required, and help with the necessary documents. Each category of Visitor Visa has a different set of requirements, and it is important to provide evidence you meet those requirements to avoid unnecessary complications in your application. It is an absolute must to get the best immigration advice from the start from our experienced New Zealand immigration advisor. Contact us to learn more about New Zealand Visitor Visa.

New Zealand, being a dazzling destination, doesn't need a special introduction. From breathtaking scenery and friendly and fun-loving people to mouth-watering food and wine and vibrant night skies, it has everything one could ever ask for. Plus, it is safe and easy to travel. If you want to explore this enchanting country and looking for getting New Zealand Visitor Visa or New Zealand parent assistance, Zealand Immigration has got your back.

Visitor Visa is the best for those willing to travel to NZ for a social visit, business or tourist. Moreover, it allows you to visit your family or friends other than for medicinal or business purposes. Whether you want to Apply NZ Visitor Visa For your Family, we have a team of skilled professionals to help you.

What Are the Required Documents For a New Zealand Tourist Visa?

To apply for a New Zealand visa, you must prepare the following documents:

• A valid passport
• A photo
• Proof that you are a genuine visitor
• Health declaration
• Proof of enough money to return home
• Proof of your relationship with your family members
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Proof of good health

How to Apply Online For the New Zealand Visitor Visa?

To apply online for a New Zealand Visitor visa, you must follow the steps below:

• Complete the online application. You must apply online through the Visitor Visa website of Immigration New Zealand. You must provide your correct information. You must create a RealMe account or log in if you already have one.
• Upload your documents and photo. You must upload scanned documents as PDF files. The documents must not exceed 10MB. You must upload them as PDFs, and the photo must be in jpeg format.
• Pay the application fee with your credit card. You must pay the required fee when you complete the online application using Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay. The Immigration Cost, VAC Service Fee, and (if applicable) courier fee should be combined into one payment.
• Submit the application. You are notified when your eVisa is issued. You must print your eVisa letter and bring it when you travel to New Zealand. You will use the eVisa to travel to enter and stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your visa. Once your application is processed, you will receive an email from Immigration New Zealand.

How to Apply On Paper For a New Zealand Visitor Visa?

If you cannot apply online, you can complete the physical application and send it to your nearest visa application center. To apply in person, you must follow the steps below:

• Fill out the application form. You must print the Visitor Visa Application Form from the New Zealand Immigration webpage. You must write with capital letters when filling out the application form. Provide correct information only to avoid any possible rejection.
• Find the nearest visa application center. You can find your nearest VAC to submit your documents on the New Zealand Immigration website. The application center may not be in your home country, so you need to travel to the nearest country that has one.
• Schedule an appointment at your nearest visa application center. When you submit your booking application through Global, you will receive a confirmation email with the appointment details that you must print. You must print the attachment email with the booking details and means of payment when you visit the VAC.
• Attend the appointment. At the visa application center, you must:
  • Submit the application form and all the required documents. Don't forget to submit supporting documents because your application will be declined.
  • Pay the application fee and the required levies. The Immigration Cost, VAC Service Fee, and courier fee should be combined into one payment. You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay credit card or debit card.

When you enter New Zealand with a Visitor visa, you must apply for entry permission. To apply for entry permission, you must either:

• Present your documents to an immigration officer. The documents you need to apply for entry permission are as follows:
  • An Arrival Card. You will be given this on the ship or plane before you arrive in New Zealand to complete it before arriving at the border.
  • Your passport or another valid travel document.
  • A travel ticket out of New Zealand if you are visiting New Zealand on a passport from a visa waiver country or were requested when your visa was approved.
• Use e Gate or Smart gate. This system uses biometrics to match the picture of your face in your e Passport with the picture it takes of you at the gate. You can use e Gate if you are 12 years or older and have an e Passport from a certain country.

What Are the Conditions For the New Zealand Visitor Visa?

The conditions of the New Zealand Visitor visa are as follows:

• You must apply for entry permission at the New Zealand border.
• You can stay for nine months within 18 months.
• You must leave New Zealand before your Visitor visa expires.
• You must have a valid multiple-entry travel condition to return to New Zealand if you travel in and out of New Zealand.
• You cannot work in New Zealand under a Visitor visa.
• You can study for up to three months in any 12 months.
• If your visa label or letter does not say "Return/Onward travel not required", you must have a:
  • Travel ticket to a country you can enter
  • An acceptable sponsor who can pay for a ticket to a country you can enter
• You must prove that you have enough money to support your stay in New Zealand.

You can apply to change the conditions of the Visitor visa. You can apply to:

• Study part-time for more than three months.
• Work in the horticulture or viticulture industries.
• Work up to 20 hours per week if you are a dependent child included in a 2021 Resident Visa application.
• Change the number of times you can travel to another nation and return to New Zealand before the expiration date of your visa.

The conditions are described in your e Visa, on the visa label in your passport, or explained in a letter sent to you.

What Are the Fees for a New Zealand Visitor Visa?

	Online application	On paper application
Application fee	NZD $170 — $245	NZD $230 — $390
Passport fee	N/A	NZD $45 — $80
Courier fee	N/A	NZD $15 — $100
VAC Service Fee	N/A	NZD $75

Apply for a Visitor Visa →

Family Visa

With This visa you can

• Live, work, and study in New Zealand.
• Include dependent children, aged 24 and under, in your visa application.

Things to note

• If your partner's New Zealand residence is based on their Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residence or resident return visa, you can only apply for this visa if your partner lives in New Zealand.
• If your partner is a New Zealand citizen and the two of you have been living together outside of New Zealand for 5 years or more, you may be granted a permanent resident visa. Your partner will need to be either overseas when you apply, or have been back in New Zealand for less than 3 months.

Length of stay

You can stay indefinitely

Apply for a Family Visa →

Investment Visa

What You Can Do With This Visa

• Live, work and study in New Zealand
• Include your partner and dependent children aged 24 and under in your visa application
• Bring your car, boat and household items to New Zealand, free of customs charges

Length of Stay

You can stay indefinitely in New Zealand under this visa category.

Explore Investment Visa Options →

Section 61 Request

If you do not leave New Zealand before your visa expires, you are not legally allowed to stay. However, Section 61 provides a pathway for certain cases to request consideration.

Important Information

• This is a special request process for people who have become unlawful in New Zealand
• Each case is considered on its individual merits
• It's crucial to seek professional advice before making a Section 61 request

Get Help With Section 61 Request →

IPT Appeals

The Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT) is an independent body that hears appeals against decisions made by Immigration New Zealand. The tribunal handles appeals related to residence class visas, deportation, and refugee/protected person status.

What the Tribunal Handles

• Residence visa decisions
• Deportation liability cases
• Refugee and protected person status decisions
• Decisions to cease refugee or protection status

Processing Times

Residence appeals are generally determined within 6 to 8 months after the Tribunal receives them. Deportation (humanitarian) appeals follow a similar timeline. It's crucial to submit any supporting documents or submissions as soon as possible.

For detailed information about the appeal process and current processing times, visit the Immigration and Protection Tribunal website.

Get Help With Your IPT Appeal →

Ministerial Requests

A Ministerial Request is a special consideration process where the Minister of Immigration may intervene in cases that have exceptional circumstances. This is typically considered a last resort option after all other immigration pathways have been exhausted.

What the Minister Can Consider

• Special circumstances that warrant consideration of an exception to immigration policy
• Humanitarian factors that may justify allowing someone to stay in New Zealand
• Cases where there are compelling reasons to grant residence or a visa outside normal policy
• Requests to intervene in deportation cases

Important Information

• The Minister has absolute discretion - there is no guarantee of a favorable outcome
• Each case is assessed on its individual merits and unique circumstances
• Strong supporting evidence is crucial to demonstrate exceptional circumstances
• Processing times can vary significantly depending on case complexity

Due to the complexity and significance of Ministerial Requests, professional guidance is strongly recommended to ensure your case is presented effectively.

Get Help With Your Ministerial Request →