There are 3 main types of work visa
- Open work visa
- Job search work visa
- Employer Assisted work visa
Open work visa
- a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident
- a partner who is a student visa holder or a work visa holder
A Working Holiday Visa is also an open work visa
Job search work visa
A person who is applying and qualify for a resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category can be given a 9 month job search visa if an Immigration Officer is not completely satisfied the person can successfully settle in New Zealand. Once the person has found a job that is relevant to his skills, work experience and/or qualifications a resident visa is granted.
You also have the Silver Fern Job Search Visa. A 9 month visa is given out to 300 talented young people who have specific skills (read qualifications) that New Zealand needs. Once employment is found a 2 year Practical Experience work visa is available. People who qualify under this category are usually able to apply for a resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category when they have found work.
The third subtype of job search visa is available for graduates. They can apply for a 12 month job search visa after they graduate with a level 7 or higher New Zealand qualification.
Employer Assisted work visa
- Essential Skills
- Work to Residence
The one thing all Employer Assisted visa have in common is that you need a job offer from a New Zealand employer to qualify. The 2 most common sub-types are:
- Essential Skills
- Work to Residence
Work to Residence work visa
The work visa sub-type has six sub types again! The two most popular are Long Terms Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) and Talent (Accredited Employer).
To apply for a visa under the Work to Residence – LTSSL you need to have an occupation that is listed on the LTSSL, meet the exact requirements on the list and have a job offer of at least 24 months.
To apply for a Work to Residence – Talent (Accredited Employer) you also need a job offer for 24 months or longer . This job offer should be from an Accredited Employer. This is an employer who has been ‘pre-approved’ by Immigration New Zealand to hire immigrants for certain positions.
Two other subtypes are Skilled Migrant Category Job Search Visa and Entrepreneur Work Visa.
Essential Skills Work visa
For an Essential Skills work visa you need employment that is considered skilled. There are 5 skill levels, level 1 to 5, with level one being the least skilled and level 5 being the most skilled. Essential Skills work visa applications may be subject to a Labour Market Test. A test where Immigration New Zealand will check if there are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents to do the job the applicant was offered. If there are, no visa will we granted.
Is your occupation listed on one of the Skills in Demand Lists AND do you meet the exact criteria mentioned then no Labour Market Test is done. Usually if you have a level 1 or 2 occupation a Labour Market Test is not performed.
Essential Skills vs Work to Residence
The main, and slightly simplified, difference between an Essential Skills Work Visa and a Work to Residence visa is that the Work to Residence visa sub-types have an easier pathway to a resident visa. You only have to proof you have worked and are still working in employment your visa was granted for, for a certain period of time (most sub-types 24 months). You also need to meet general requirements, such as requirements for health and character.
If you have an Essential Skills work visa you will have to apply under The Skilled Migrant Category. You have to prove your skills, qualifications and work experience.
Hi Feija,
I am now holding Silver Fern Job Search Work Visa and looking for a job in New Zealand to apply for Silver Fern Practical Experience Work Visa. One of employers reached me about a role that could work from home. The problem is that the employer is a Australia registered company who does not have a New Zealand Business Number for filling inz1113 form for me. They said that I could register a NZ business number for self-employment, they pay me and I’ll pay tax in NZ by myself. I am not sure if this self-employment could work to apply for Silver Fern Practical Experience Work Visa?
Hi Chao,
The business that employs you must be physically present in New Zealand (liable for tax in NZ) and, in case of a limited company, be registered in New Zealand. You can have a contract for services, but the company still must be present in NZ and have an NZBN.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi Feija, I came across your article. You explain things very well, thanks! As rules change often, I’d better ask: so a partnership visa has ‘open work conditions’? And is being ‘self-employed’ possible too?
Hi Monika,
Yes and Yes!
Kind regards,
Feija
That’s great, Feija! Thanks for your reply. I’ll be happy to refer people to your site, articles and services.
Hi
I Have job offer from accredited employer but they are paying me only $25 per hour.
What type of visa i can apply in this situation . Because requirement for work to residence visa is 26.5 per hour.
Hi Harman,
I’ve sent you an email.
Kind regards,
Feija
Can you please contact me on my email please
Dear Harman,
I’ve tried to send you several emails but they all come back as undeliverable.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi
I have done Graduate diploma in IT Level 7 and right now my visa status is Open Job Search. Furthermore I am working as a ICT Fibre Technician which is related to my area of qualification but the subjects I learned in my course are not exactly relevant to my roles and responsibilities.Do I can get employer assisted work visa?
Hi Rik,
I won’t be able to tell you anything meaningful until I’ve seen any documents.
In general, the major of your qualification must be directly relevant to your job.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi there
I’ve been working here in New Zealand for more than 4 year’s under essential skills visa and right now i am thinking of apply for a work to residence but I’m not sure what am i need to ask the employer and what else i had to do?
Please help me.
Hi Lita,
You can only apply for a WtR work visa if you either work for an accredited employer or when your occupation is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List AND you meet the requirements on the list. Well, there are a few more options but the two mentioned are the most common.
I would be happy to assist you with assessing your eligibility and your document collection. I can also assist with the entire application, if you would want to. I tailor my services to want a client wants. A fee will apply. Please send me an email on info@experienzimmigration.co.nz to get the ball rolling.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi
I did Diploma in business level 7 in New Zealand lat year and now, I have an job search visa till 7 March 2018. I was working part time as a customer service representative from June 2016- Jan 2017 and casual now from then. Should I need to change my field for the work permit or this will be fine. Can you suggest me which kind of job I need?
Hi Amanjot,
A position of Customer Service Rep usually is not enough to get an employer assisted graduate work visa. It is not really a job that requires a level 7 diploma. You also need a full time job offer.
I would be happy to discuss in more detail what kind of job you need in a consult (paid service). Please email me on info@experienzimmigration.co.nz for more details.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi
I have a job offer from an accredited employer but the job is not skilled. It’s a class 4 truck driver job with a salary of $56k per annum.
Can I apply for reinstatement talent work visa.
Thnx
Hi Mir,
It depends if trucking (transportation of goods) is the core business of the employer whether or not Truck Driver is accepted. I can;t find anything in the policy that states specifically that a job must be skilled. Maybe a loophole? I guess Immigration New Zealand must have thought that any job that earns over $55,000 per year must be skilled.
You also mention something about reinstating your talent visa. This is not really possible. You can change employers if you were made redundant or your previous employer stopped there business activities (or similar event happened why you couldn’t work there anymore).
Please send me an email on info@experienzimmigration.co.nz if you need any assistance.
Kind regards,
Feija
Dear,Sir/Madam
i’m located in saudi Arabia riyadh city,my employer is toyota abdul latif jameel company.
http://www.alj.con. i’m working here since 2003 up to date present,my recent position is Automotive
Diagnosis Technician.i have good knowledge,qualifications,skill,work experience,booming technical training strong ability and Four more ASE certification.
in the moment i need your immigration assistance for visa eligibility opportunities.
please concentrate with me.
looking forward hearing from you
best regards
mohammed kamruzzaman
K S.A
Hi There,
For your information i am working as Telecommunication Technician from the last 4-5 of months in New Zealand. I have done level 5 in IT and Level 6 in Diploma in Business. so just seeking your assistance whether i should go for Essential work visa or post study employer assisted work visa.
In addition to this i have assessed my overseas study Level 7 from NZQA.
please suggest me how can i apply my visa.
Thanks
Sukhdeep Singh
Hi Sukhdeep,
I believe you have send me an email too, which I have replied to yesterday.
Kind regards,
Feija