As an education provider, you operate not only as an academic institution but also as a New Zealand employer.

If you hire staff who are not New Zealand citizens, residents, or permanent residents, they must hold the appropriate temporary visa that gives them lawful work rights.

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If you recruit non-New Zealand workers for roles within your institute, you must understand and meet the immigration responsibilities that apply to you as an employer. These obligations sit separately from your responsibilities to international students and require a different set of compliance processes.

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Your duties as an employer of migrant staff include ensuring:

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• each employee holds a valid visa with work rights,

• you do not allow anyone to work outside the conditions of their visa, and

• you meet all requirements if supporting a staff member for an employer-assisted visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa.

Your obligations to migrant staff are distinct and legally regulated, and failing to meet them can expose your organisation to compliance risks.