NEW ZEALAND WORK VISAS
WORK VISA CHRISTCHURCH NZ
There are many different kinds of NZ work visa available, but the most common ones that people apply for are the post-study work visa, Accredited Employer work visa, and partnership work visa.
Post-Study Work Visa
A visa for tertiary students who have completed their study in New Zealand. Also known as an 'open job search' visa, this work visa provides graduates with an opportunity to look for employment in New Zealand. Whether or not a student is eligible for a post-study work visa depends on the level of the qualification studied.
Accredited Employer Work Visa Christchurch NZ
This visa replaced the Essential Skills work visa along with some other work visa categories on 4 July 2022. It is the work visa that most migrant workers in New Zealand will now apply for and requires a job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand. The application process involves three key steps:
1. Employer accreditation
2. Job check
3. Visa application
The employer accreditation and job check steps are up to the employer to handle. More can be read about these steps here.
Migrant employees usually only need to worry about the visa application stage, i.e., actually applying for an Accredited Employer work visa ('AEWV'). Accredited employers who have got a job check approved for a particular job can send any migrant that they wish to hire a link with a "job token" that the migrant can then use to apply for the AEWV. It is not possible to apply for an AEWV without a job token.
To get an AEWV application approved, migrants applying for an AEWV must have the qualifications and experience specified by the employer as requirements for the job in the job check application. The job on the basis of which the application is made must also pay at least the New Zealand median wage or higher, unless it is on Immigration New Zealand's (very limited) list of roles exempt from the median wage threshold, or is part of a sector agreement. Roles exempt from the median wage have their own wage thresholds (varies depending on the particular role) and the AEWV will only be granted for two years, whereas roles paying the median wage or higher will result in an AEWV for three years.
Another important list is the "Green List", which is Immigration New Zealand's list of jobs in high demand in New Zealand. If you get a job offer to work in an occupation on the Green List and you have the minimum qualifications/experience specified on the list for that occupation, you may be eligible to apply for residence in New Zealand immediately, depending on whether the occupation is listed as a "Tier 1" or "Tier 2" role. Please see our Residence page for more information about the Green List and pathways to residence.
Looking for a work visa for your partner?
For NZ partner visas, please see here: Partnership Category
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