New Zealand – Work Permits and Working Legally

Do expats need a work permit to work legally in New Zealand?

Yes — the overwhelming majority of overseas nationals must possess a valid work visa before commencing paid employment in New Zealand. Much like work authorisation schemes in other countries, New Zealand’s work visa framework exists to uphold local labour standards and protect both workers and employers. Performing paid work without the correct authorisation is unlawful for the individual concerned and for any employer who takes them on.

In contrast to systems where the employee alone bears the administrative load, New Zealand’s approach distributes responsibility between employer and worker. The Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme unfolds in three stages: employer accreditation, a job check, and the worker’s own visa application. The employer must achieve accredited status before anything else can proceed. Only after both accreditation and the job check have been approved may the worker lodge their visa application.

There are important exceptions to these requirements. Under the longstanding Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, Australian citizens and permanent residents may live and work in New Zealand indefinitely without a work visa. New Zealand citizens require no visa at all. Holders of open work visas — issued, for example, to partners of New Zealand residents or citizens — are free to work for any employer without requiring an employer-specific visa. New Zealand has also introduced provisions for digital nomads, effective from January 2025, permitting them to work remotely for employers based overseas while staying in New Zealand for up to 90 days without violating the conditions of a visitor visa.

New Zealand has no broad free-movement arrangements with countries other than Australia. While visitors from many nations may enter without a visa, anyone wishing to work for a New Zealand employer must obtain separate work authorisation — regardless of how long they have been in the country.

What types of work permit are available in New Zealand?

New Zealand offers a range of visa pathways that permit work. All are temporary in nature, though some can serve as a stepping stone to residence. The most suitable option depends on factors including your occupation, skill level, employer, age, and the type of work involved. The principal categories are outlined below.

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The AEWV is New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa. It permits a migrant to work for an accredited employer for up to five years. The scheme is structured to give New Zealand workers priority access to jobs while providing a clear pathway for employers to recruit skilled migrants where genuine shortages exist. It also serves as a safeguard against migrant exploitation by restricting which employers may hire overseas workers. Like sponsored or points-based work visa systems used elsewhere, the AEWV places initial compliance obligations on the employer rather than solely on the applicant.

The AEWV underwent significant changes from March 2025. Employers are no longer required to pay the median wage; instead, remuneration must meet or exceed the New Zealand minimum wage (NZD $23.50 as of April 2025) and correspond to the market rate for the position. The minimum work experience requirement for applicants has also been reduced from three years to two. As wage thresholds are revised periodically, always confirm the current figures directly with Immigration New Zealand.

Green List Visas
New Zealand maintains a Green List of occupations that are in high demand. Those working in these roles may be eligible for accelerated visa pathways. Some Green List occupations qualify for a straight-to-residence visa, bypassing the need to first hold a temporary work visa, while others qualify for a work-to-residence pathway, whereby time spent on an AEWV can lead directly to a residence application once relevant time and earnings thresholds are met. Current qualifying occupations are listed on the Immigration New Zealand Green List.

Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa (SPWV)
The Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa is commonly used for intra-company transferees and project workers who need to undertake short-term, specialised work in New Zealand. It is well suited to situations involving defined projects or events rather than ongoing employment.

Working Holiday Visas
Working Holiday Visas are open to those aged 18–30 (or up to 35 in some countries) who wish to travel and undertake short-term work. New Zealand holds working holiday agreements with more than 40 countries. The primary purpose of these visas is to support a holiday in New Zealand, though holders may work temporarily to fund their stay. Visas are generally valid for 12 months, though second-year and third-year extensions may be available for those who complete specified work in particular regions or sectors.

Seasonal Work Visas
From 8 December 2025, two new visa categories will be introduced for seasonal workers: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV). Both are designed to allow accredited employers to recruit genuine seasonal workers while maintaining appropriate compliance checks. The GWSV does not require a labour market test — employers need not advertise locally first — and is valid for three years.

Post-Study Work Visa
The Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) enables international students to remain in New Zealand and work following the completion of their studies. Eligibility is determined by the level and duration of the qualification completed in New Zealand, in a manner comparable to post-study work routes available in countries such as Australia and Canada.

Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme
The RSE scheme enables workers from participating Pacific Island nations to work in New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture sectors during peak periods. It operates separately from the AEWV framework and is jointly coordinated by the New Zealand government and the governments of the sending countries.

How do you apply for a work permit in New Zealand, and how long does it take?

All AEWV applications are submitted through Immigration New Zealand’s online portal. The process follows three distinct stages, and unlike systems in which the employee handles all permit paperwork, New Zealand’s model requires the employer to act first. Applications may be lodged from within or outside New Zealand.

1. Employer applies for accreditation. The first step belongs to the employer, who must register with Immigration New Zealand and obtain accredited employer status. This requires demonstrating that the business is legitimate, financially sound, and committed to treating workers well. Applicants should be aware that follow-up checks may occur to verify that the declarations and commitments made during the application process are accurate.
2. Employer submits a Job Check. Having secured accreditation, the employer must submit a Job Check for the relevant position. For lower-skilled roles (ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5), employers must engage with Work and Income (MSD), though they are no longer required to include evidence of this engagement with the Job Check application itself. Instead, they must declare in good faith that they advertised the role for at least three weeks and retain records of that process. Higher-skilled roles may be exempt from this labour market test.
3. Employer sends the worker an application link. Once the Job Check is approved, the accredited employer provides the worker with a link to the online application form. Workers should apply only once this link has been received from an AEWV-accredited employer.
4. Worker completes the online application. The worker fills in the application form (such as INZ 1015), supplying personal details, employment information, and all required supporting documents. The application is submitted through the Immigration New Zealand portal.
5. Pay the application fee. Fees differ depending on the visa type and the country from which the application is made. Fees increased substantially from 1 October 2024. Always check the current fee schedule on the Immigration New Zealand website before lodging your application.
6. Attend any additional steps if required. Depending on individual circumstances, some applicants may be asked to speak with an immigration officer, submit biometrics, or attend a medical examination.
7. Receive a decision. Successful applicants will receive their visa through the online portal, specifying the employer, role, and conditions of work.

Processing times differ by visa type and the completeness of the application. Essential Skills Work Visa applications typically take between 14 and 30 days. AEWV processing times have historically been longer and may vary considerably. The New Zealand government has acknowledged delays experienced under the AEWV, and the 2025 reforms aim to improve processing efficiency. Always consult the current decision times tool on the Immigration New Zealand website for the latest estimates, as these fluctuate.

Common sources of delay include missing health checks, documents that have not been verified or translated, an employment offer that fails to clearly specify the role, salary, and duration, and employer accreditation that has not yet been granted — an unaccredited employer will result in an AEWV application being declined. Applying from outside New Zealand is permitted, but work must not begin until the visa has been formally approved.

What documents do expats need to apply for a work permit in New Zealand?

The documentation required will depend on the type of visa being sought, the applicant’s occupation, and their personal circumstances. The following outlines the standard requirements for the AEWV, which is the most commonly used work visa pathway. Applicants should always confirm the current document checklist on the Immigration New Zealand website, as requirements are subject to change.

Documents the applicant must provide:

• Valid passport. Your passport or certificate of identity must remain valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date from New Zealand.
• Job offer or employment agreement. The offer must clearly set out your role, salary, employer name, and proposed start date. This document is generated through the employer’s approved Job Check.
• Evidence of qualifications. You must demonstrate that you meet the skill requirements for the AEWV. A qualification at level 4 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) is acceptable. The qualification or your work experience must relate to the same field or industry as the offered role — unless you hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, in which case the field of study need not match.
• Proof of work experience. You must supply evidence of having worked in the relevant role or field. This evidence must come from a source other than yourself. Employment references should be on official letterhead, must be complete and independently verifiable, and must include at minimum the positions held, the periods of employment, and the employer’s address and contact details. A CV or résumé on its own is not acceptable.
• Police clearance certificate. A valid and complete police certificate must be uploaded with your AEWV application. From 8 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand will no longer accept a receipt confirming that a certificate has been applied for, except in limited cases involving applicants from Fiji, Hong Kong, or Israel.
• Medical certificates. Depending on your country of origin and the length of your intended stay, you may need to provide a chest X-ray and a general medical examination report. Use the INZ health requirements tool to determine whether this applies to you.
• Evidence of English language ability (where applicable). An English language requirement applies to applicants for lower-skilled roles at ANZSCO levels 4 and 5.
• Passport-sized photographs. These are typically uploaded digitally as part of the online application process.

Documents the employer must provide or retain:

• Proof of current employer accreditation, granted by Immigration New Zealand prior to submitting the Job Check.
• An approved Job Check, which includes a declaration regarding the labour market test for lower-skilled roles or evidence of engagement with Work and Income.
• Evidence of the business’s financial stability and genuine trading activity, submitted during the accreditation application.
• For lower-skilled roles: documentation confirming that local recruitment steps were taken, including advertising the position for a minimum of three weeks.

Requirements vary according to visa type, occupation, and personal circumstances, and may be updated at any time. Always confirm the current checklist directly with Immigration New Zealand.

What does a work permit cost in New Zealand?

From 1 October 2024, Immigration New Zealand raised visa application fees across nearly all categories to more accurately reflect the true cost of processing applications. The Immigration Minister indicated that the aim of the increases was to build a more sustainable immigration system by shifting a greater share of financial responsibility from taxpayers to visa applicants. Given the scale of these changes, always verify the current amounts on the official INZ fees page before submitting any application.

Government application fees (as of October 2024):

• Skilled Residence visa categories — covering the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List Straight to Residence, Green List Work to Residence, and Care Workforce Work to Residence — increased from NZD $4,290 to NZD $6,450.
• Working Holiday Visa fees begin from around NZD $245, while work visas requiring employer accreditation can reach NZD $650 or more. Always consult the official fee table before applying.
• Fees for employer accreditation and job checks — paid by the employer — saw comparatively modest increases. By contrast, fees for the work visa and dependent visa applications, which fall to the employee, more than doubled from October 2024.

Additional costs applicants should factor in:

• International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The IVL, which applies to most visa applications, rose to NZD $100 from 1 October 2024.
• Medical examination. A chest X-ray or full medical examination may be necessary. Costs differ by country and the approved panel physician used.
• Police clearance certificates. These must typically be obtained from your country of origin or countries of previous long-term residence. Costs vary by country.
• Document translation and notarisation. Any documents not in English must be translated by a certified translator at the applicant’s expense.
• Licensed immigration adviser fees. Engaging a licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer is not mandatory, but professional assistance can help ensure your application is accurate and complete.

Can employer costs be passed on to the worker? No. Employers and recruitment agents in New Zealand are prohibited from charging workers fees for a job or passing on recruitment costs. This is a meaningful legal protection that sets New Zealand’s system apart from some countries where such practices remain informally common. Anyone asked to pay recruitment fees by an employer or agent should report this to Immigration New Zealand.

New Zealand’s visa charges remain broadly comparable with those in Australia and the United Kingdom. However, fees are subject to revision — always confirm the latest figures directly with Immigration New Zealand before lodging any application.

Can expats change jobs or employers while on a work permit in New Zealand?

The AEWV is employer-specific, meaning it ties the visa holder to the particular employer named on the visa. Unlike an open work visa, which allows the holder to work for any employer, the AEWV does not automatically permit a move to a different job or employer without first notifying or applying through Immigration New Zealand.

AEWV holders who need to change their employer, job, or location can do so through the Job Change application process. This pathway gives AEWV migrants greater flexibility and security — including protection in the event of job loss — and in many cases means a full new visa application is not required; a variation application may be sufficient.

If your circumstances change and you wish to move to a new employer, different role, or different location, you must apply to vary the conditions of your visa or lodge a Job Change application. You must not commence work for the new employer until the variation has been approved.

Employers are required to notify Immigration New Zealand within 10 working days if an AEWV holder leaves their employment, and must also report any changes in the key individuals responsible for hiring decisions. This notification obligation rests with the employer, though workers should be aware that their visa status is subject to monitoring.

For holders of open work visas — such as those issued to partners of New Zealand residents or citizens — no employer restriction applies, and changing jobs does not require any further immigration action. From 20 April 2026, open work visas will be issued under one of two conditions: one permitting any lawful work including business activity, and one limiting the holder to employment arrangements with an employer. Visa holders should carefully review the specific conditions on their visa.

What are the penalties for working illegally in New Zealand?

Working without a valid visa — or breaching the conditions of an existing one — is a serious offence in New Zealand, carrying consequences for workers and employers alike. The repercussions can be severe and may have lasting effects on any future immigration applications.

Consequences for workers:

• Deportation and removal from New Zealand.
• A re-entry ban, which may be temporary or permanent depending on the nature and severity of the breach.
• Criminal liability in the most serious cases.
• Any breach of visa conditions — such as working for an employer not specified on the visa, or exceeding permitted working hours — will be recorded and can significantly harm future visa and residence applications.

Consequences for employers:

• Instant fines and the suspension or cancellation of accreditation status have been introduced as penalties for employers who breach accreditation regulations, making it essential for all accredited employers to remain fully aware of their obligations.
• Employers who fail to meet employment or immigration obligations may face further penalties.
• Employers who knowingly employ workers without valid work authorisation may be prosecuted under New Zealand’s Immigration Act 2009, with potential fines and imprisonment.
• Loss of accreditation prevents the employer from hiring future AEWV workers and can cause lasting reputational harm.

Impact on future immigration applications: Any history of unlawful work or visa breaches will be scrutinised in all subsequent applications, including those for permanent residence and citizenship. A good character requirement applies across all New Zealand immigration categories, and dishonesty or non-compliance may result in permanent ineligibility. Workers who find themselves in a vulnerable position — for instance, if their employer loses accreditation or terminates their employment — are strongly encouraged to contact Immigration New Zealand without delay, rather than continuing to work without proper authorisation.

Where can expats find reliable and up-to-date information on work permits in New Zealand?

Given how regularly New Zealand immigration policy is updated — including the wide-ranging AEWV reforms introduced throughout 2025 — it is vital to rely on official sources. Third-party websites, online forums, and social media groups can offer useful background and personal accounts, but should never be treated as a substitute for official guidance, especially regarding fees and processing times.

Key official sources:

• Immigration New Zealand (INZ): The principal authority on all visa and immigration matters. The website at immigration.govt.nz provides visa eligibility guides, application forms, fee schedules, processing time estimates, and the Green List. It also sets out how much it costs to apply, where to send your application or passport, and how long decisions typically take.
• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE): MBIE is responsible for New Zealand’s labour market policy and publishes guidance on employment rights, including those of migrant workers. Visit mbie.govt.nz for information on employment standards and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
• Employment New Zealand: Operating under the MBIE umbrella, Employment New Zealand at employment.govt.nz provides straightforward guidance on workplace rights for everyone working in New Zealand, including migrant workers on work visas.
• New Zealand embassies and consulates: For applications lodged from abroad, the relevant New Zealand diplomatic mission in your country of residence can advise on local processing arrangements and any additional steps — such as in-person biometric collection — that may be required.
• Licensed Immigration Advisers: The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) maintains a register of licensed practitioners. In New Zealand, only licensed advisers or registered legal professionals may charge a fee for providing immigration advice. Verify an adviser’s credentials on the register at iaa.govt.nz before engaging their services.

Exercise caution with unofficial websites that mimic the appearance of government pages, charge for services that are actually free, or present outdated information as current. Always verify fees and eligibility requirements directly on immigration.govt.nz before submitting any application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in New Zealand on a tourist or visitor visa?

No. A standard visitor visa does not permit you to work for a New Zealand employer. However, a policy introduced in January 2025 allows digital nomads to work remotely for overseas employers (not New Zealand-based employers) while staying in the country for up to 90 days without breaching visitor visa conditions. If you wish to work for a New Zealand employer, you must obtain an appropriate work visa before starting.

Do Australian citizens need a work visa to work in New Zealand?

No. Australian citizens and most Australian permanent residents can live and work in New Zealand without a work visa, under the longstanding Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. They are generally treated similarly to New Zealand citizens for work purposes. New Zealand citizens enjoy the same rights in Australia under the same arrangement.

How long can I stay in New Zealand on an AEWV?

The total amount of time you can stay in New Zealand can be 5 years for most jobs, or 3 years if your job is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5. If the length of your visa is less than your maximum continuous stay, you can apply for further AEWVs to stay for that maximum time. After reaching your maximum continuous stay, you must leave New Zealand for a period before applying for another AEWV.

Does my employer need to advertise the role before I can apply for an AEWV?

For lower-skilled roles (ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5), a labour market test applies. Employers are required to engage with Work and Income (MSD), though they no longer need to provide evidence of this with the Job Check application. Instead, employers must declare in good faith that they have advertised the role (for at least three weeks) and interviewed suitable candidates, and must retain evidence of this engagement. Higher-skilled roles and Green List occupations may be exempt from this requirement.

Can my partner and children join me in New Zealand on a work visa?

In many cases, yes. Partners of AEWV holders may be eligible for an open work visa if the AEWV holder meets the required wage threshold (as of 2025, this is NZD $26.85 per hour). The income threshold for AEWV holders to support dependent children has increased to NZD $55,844 per year as of March 2025. Eligibility conditions vary — check with Immigration New Zealand for the most current requirements.

Is there a fast-track or priority visa processing option?

Immigration New Zealand does not currently operate a blanket premium processing service for work visas in the way some other countries do. Processing times vary by visa type and application volume. The best way to avoid delays is to submit a complete, accurate application with all required documents. Incomplete documentation — such as missing health checks or unverified translations — is a common cause of delay. Check the current decision times tool on the INZ website before applying.

What happens if my employer loses accreditation while I am on an AEWV?

If an employer does not renew their accreditation, their AEWV holders can continue to work for them. However, the employer will need to become accredited again if or when their worker needs to extend their AEWV, apply for residence, or when employing any new AEWV worker. If your employer’s accreditation is revoked rather than simply lapsed, you should contact Immigration New Zealand promptly to understand your options and ensure you do not inadvertently breach your visa conditions.

Can a work visa lead to permanent residency in New Zealand?

Yes, for certain visa holders. Workers on Green List occupations may qualify for a Work to Residence pathway — or in some cases, straight-to-residence. More broadly, after accumulating sufficient time and earnings in New Zealand, workers may apply for the Skilled Migrant Category residence visa. The Skilled Residence visa — including the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List Straight to Residence, Green List Work to Residence, and Care Workforce Work to Residence categories — currently costs NZD $6,450 (as of October 2024). Verify current residence pathway requirements and fees directly with Immigration New Zealand.