Working Visa

A Work Visa is

an endorsement you get in your passport to allow you to enter or re-enter New Zealand. It shows you have permission to travel to New Zealand and may be granted a Work Permit when you arrive. The visa may be single, for one journey, or multiple, for more than one journey.

A Work Permit is

an endorsement in your passport which allows you to work in New Zealand. It will state the expiry date of your permit and the conditions of your permit. The conditions may include the type of employment, the employer's name and the location in New Zealand you are permitted to work in.

Long Term Business Visa/Permit

The New Zealand Immigration Service Business Migration Branch assesses all applications lodged under the Long Term Business Visa/Permit category.

The Long Term Business Visa/Permit is a special category of work visa/permit and is not a residence category.

You may apply under this category if you are a potential migrant interested in applying for residence under the Entrepreneur Category.

You may also apply under this category If you are interested in establishing a business in New Zealand but do not wish to live permanently in New Zealand.

To apply under the Long Term Business Visa/Permit category, you must:

• have a satisfactory business plan; and

• have, in addition to investment capital, sufficient funds for your maintenance and accommodation and that of any non-principal applicants; and

• satisfy the business immigration specialist that you are genuinely interested in establishing a business in New Zealand.

In addition, you and any family included in your application must meet health and character requirements.

A business plan is a proposal to establish a specific business in New Zealand. This plan must include the following information, and be supported by appropriate documentation:

• an outline of your proposed business and its viability; and

• financial information (forecasts and financing options); and

• your business experience (including English language ability); and

• your knowledge of the New Zealand market.

Where Can I Get More Information And Advice?

You can get more information from:

• Guide for Applying for a Long Term Business Visa

• Application for Applying for a Long Term Business Visa

• Business Migrant Liaison Unit

• National Contact Centre

• New Zealand Diplomatic and Consular Offices

• New Zealand Immigration Service Branch Offices

• New Zealand Immigration Service Operational Manual

Who does not need a Visa or Permit to work in New Zealand

You do not need a visa or permit to work in New Zealand if you are:

• a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand Resident Permit holder (to re-enter you need a current New Zealand Returning Resident Visa) or

• an Australian citizen or an Australian resident who holds a current Australian resident return visa or

• one of a group of people who are also exempt from the requirement to hold a Permit to be in New Zealand or

• a Business visitor to New Zealand who will stay no more than three months in any one year and will only discuss and negotiate business arrangement.

What do I have to provide to get a Work Visa or Permit?

Work Visa and Permit requirements are found on the Application for Work in New Zealand form.

To be considered for a work visa or granted a work permit, applicants must produce an offer of employment and a supporting case from an employer showing why it is not possible to employ a suitable New Zealand resident or citizen for the role.

New Zealand Employers
If you are an employer in New Zealand and need to recruit a person(s) from overseas because you are unable to locate suitable New Zealanders you must provide evidence that there is no New Zealand citizen or resident available who is:

• suitably qualified by training and experience to do the job offered, or

• readily able to be trained to do the job.

All employers wishing to employ foreign workers or students to work in New Zealand must comply with all relevant employment and labour law in force in New Zealand.

Compliance with relevant New Zealand employment and labour law includes but is not limited to:

• paying employees no less than the appropriate adult or youth minimum wage or other contracted industry standard

• meeting holiday and special leave requirements or other minimum statutory criteria

• meeting occupational safety and health obligations.
  

Employers may therefore be required by a visa or immigration officer to provide evidence and/or confirmation of past and future compliance with employment and labour law in New Zealand.

In addition to being satisfied the above requirements are met, policy also requires visa and immigration officers to be satisfied job offers made to foreign workers are both genuine and sustainable for the duration of the proposed employment contract.

Once you have satisfied the requirements outlined above write to an office of the New Zealand Immigration Service in New Zealand to obtain Approval in Principle. Write on letterhead paper or supply your name, address and telephone/fax number and include:

• a copy of the job offer(s) containing a full job description including: job title, address of place of employment (if different from letterhead), type of work, duties and responsibilities involved, details of pay and conditions, any qualifications, registration, experience or training required, duration of the job and how long the offer is open.

• details and evidence of the efforts you have made to find suitable New Zealanders and the reasons why you are unable to employ or readily train suitable New Zealanders.

• the name and address of the person(s) you wish to bring to New Zealand if known.

• the Approval in Principle fee of N.Z.$140.00.
  
  We will write directly to you about the Approval in Principle and if we know the country of residence of the person(s) you wish to bring to New Zealand, will also inform the nearest New Zealand Immigration Service Branch overseas of the approval. The person(s) you wish to bring to New Zealand will need to obtain a Work Visa before they enter New Zealand. The initial stay is a maximum of three years. Further periods of employment may be considered at the end of this time. Accompanying spouse and children should apply for a Visitor or Student Visa

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