Work Visas
For most skilled migrants, the main pathway to work in New Zealand is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
This visa allows you to work in the country and fill labour shortages where employers have been approved to hire migrant workers.
The AEWV is New Zealand’s primary work visa. It is employer-assisted, meaning it is tied to one employer and one specific role. You can only apply after the employer completes an approved Job Check, confirming the role meets Immigration New Zealand's requirements.
There are other work visa categories, but these are granted only in defined circumstances—such as time-bound projects, study completion, or partnership with a New Zealand citizen/resident or eligible work-visa holder. These include the Specific Purpose Work Visa, Post-Study Work Visa, and Partner Work Visas.
Key principles that apply across all New Zealand work visas:
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“Work” has a clear legal definition: any activity performed for gain or reward, including benefits that can be valued in money.
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Employer-assisted visas carry strict conditions. Breaching them—by working for another employer or outside the approved role—is a common issue.
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Full-time work is defined as at least 30 hours per week.
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Family members must apply for their own visas, even if they are dependent on the principal applicant.
If your long-term goal is to settle in New Zealand, it’s worth reviewing the resident visa pathways currently available and how your work visa can support that progression.
A Job Check is a required step before a migrant can be invited to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). An employer can only lodge a Job Check once Immigration New Zealand has approved their accreditation.
The AEWV is now the sole employer-assisted work visa available, replacing the Essential Skills Work Visa on 4 July 2022.
The purpose of the Job Check is to confirm that New Zealanders are not being displaced, that the role is paid at an acceptable rate, and that migrants are being recruited primarily for higher-skilled or higher-paid positions.
You can apply for this visa only after the employer is accredited and their Job Check has been approved.
You may be eligible for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) if you:
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Have a valid job offer from an accredited employer
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Meet the skills and qualification requirements for the role
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Satisfy health and character requirements
The visa is granted for 3 or 5 years, depending on the job’s skill level. You can support a dependent child’s visitor or student visa only if you earn enough..
If you want to change your employer, job, or work location, you must apply for a Variation of Conditions first.
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The Post Study Work Visa is the main pathway for international students who want to stay and work after completing their studies. It allows open work rights, meaning the holder can work for any employer. However, under current policy, the specific visa conditions now depend on the qualification obtained in New Zealand.
Only one Post Study Work Visa can be granted in a lifetime, and applicants must show they have NZD $5,000 in available funds.
The visa can be issued for up to three years. For most applicants, the length of the visa will match the period spent studying full-time in New Zealand.
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Degree level 7 and above: at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand is required.
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Non-degree level 7 and below: the entire qualification must have been completed in New Zealand.
Partners of students may qualify for an open work visa if their partner is studying:
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a master’s or doctoral degree; or
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a level 7 or 8 qualification on the Green List or the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa list.
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If your partner holds (or is applying for) a student visa, a work visa, or is a New Zealand citizen or resident, you may be able to join them under New Zealand’s family-category partnership visas.
To qualify, you must:
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Be coming to New Zealand to join or accompany your partner
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Demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and stable
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Show that you both intend to stay in New Zealand for the same period
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Meet health and character requirements
Immigration New Zealand will assess your partnership against four key criteria: genuine, stable, living together, and credible. The type and duration of the partnership visa you receive will depend on the strength of your evidence and your partner’s own visa status.
Partners of New Zealand citizens and residents may also be able to enter New Zealand under current border-entry provisions designed for family reunification.
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