Skilled Migration New Zealand
NZ welcomes skilled workers and migrants that contribute to New Zealand’s economy. There are a number of ways skilled migrants can enter and be permitted to work in New Zealand. This usually requires a type of work visa. Australia is the only country whose citizens don’t require a work visa to work in NZ.
How we help Skilled Migrants
Visa and citizenship application processes can drag out for months and even years, and getting rejected means starting all over again. It’s important to choose a team that will get it right the first time for you!
As a professional and dedicated team of immigration lawyers we look forward to helping make your immigration process as simple and seamless as possible. We will tailor a plan for your exact situation and will explore all potential avenues for you to achieve your immigration goals.
Our goal is to keep you sane through the process, to equip you with the right knowledge and to represent you in a professional manner to the Australian and New Zealand governments.
Malaysia
"The only migration agency you need for AU and NZ. Heard a couple of bad experiences through my friends with other agencies. Ian, Jo and Hamish are thorough professionals and they mean business! It has been a wonderful journey indeed. Thank you IMMagine!"
Michael
"A massive thank you to Tiffany, Hamish and Chen. Thanks to their knowledge, hard work and expertise, my family and I were fortunate to receive our 190 visa.
Chen and all the people we worked with at IMMagine, expertly guided us through this long process and we always knew that we couldn't be in better hands. They were professional, incredibly patient, understanding, knowledgeable and always a quick email away.
We will be eternally grateful for this wonderful opportunity!"
David
"Immagine have to be the BEST immigration consultants. A thorough, professional team that get results. Outstanding in my experience."
Ian
"Excellent service and very knowledgeable. We were guided through the entire process and ended up being invited to apply for the best visa of all... a 189! It's really hard to get into Australia... but Immagine made the process as enjoyable as it can possibly be."
Rit
Malaysia
"5 star service. Not only is the team knowledgeable but the level of execution and communication was outstanding. The whole process was stress free."
Mei
Singapore
"Very happy and grateful to have applied my permanent residency visa with IMMagine. The team there are professional and efficient. It was a long and patient wait with them for my visa to get approved but they have made the process easier. Kane was amazing with the whole process. Updates were sent frequently via email to notify the progress of the visa application. Made it worry free!"
Nikiko
South Africa
"Very happy with their services. They come highly recommended by us and are highly responsive and professional. Even though their fee is slightly more than others you will not regret and for those skeptical South Africans like us they are legit.. We have our VISA'S!!!"
Or
Israel
"We used the services of IMMagine for our permanent residency application, and April and Kane were fantastic and very supportive all through the process. They were always super quick to respond, and communication was effortless, which is extremly important in thsi proces. Our visa was unique and unusual, but April worked closely with my employer to receive all the needed information, and it was excepted.
I would highly recommend IMMagine services."
Viola
"IMMagine supported us from day 1 with every submission, meticulously double checking all our documents. We received residency 16 days to the year since my arrival in NZ. IMMagine was on top of every announcement during COVID which allowed for a stress free and flawless application process. Thank you IMMagine, for making a dream come true."
Darmain
"Immagine Immigration should no doubt be Your immigration company of choice , they dont sell You false promises and will never mislead You. I have used them and have never looked back . Kane Downs is indeed an awesome consultant and has been there for Myself and My Family every step of the way from start to finish for the last 7 years . A true Legend indeed who guided Us with honesty and integrity . Thanks Kane and Immagine Immigration , Highly Appreciated !!!"
Lafras
"Very competent staff and very understanding of your conditions and needs. Thank you for a job well done over multiple applications."
Lauren
"Excellent advice and outstanding service. The team at Immagine are fantastic and would highly recommend them to anyone needing their services."
Work Permit Visa Types
New Zealand offers many types of work visas. Based on your individual circumstances, you may be eligible for one or more types. Each type of work visa allows for different provisions, including length of stay, ability to work, age limitations, etc.
Essential Skills Work Visa New Zealand
This has now been replaced by the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
An Essential Skills Work Visa could be granted if you had the necessary qualifications and experience in a particular field, and have obtained a full time (at least 30 hours per week) job in NZ. This was usually under the condition that your employer has previously made efforts to find local workers to fill the same position prior to your employment through a labour market test.
However, if your occupation was found on a shortage list (national or regional), your qualifications and experience make you a suitable candidate, then your employer wouldn’t have needed to provide evidence for attempting to hire local NZ skilled workers for the position.
There were multiple skills in demand lists, including:
Accredited Employer Work Visa (EAWV)
Obtaining an AEWV is for most a three step process:
- The New Zealand employer has to apply to become ‘accredited’ with the Immigration Department. This is supposed to take around two weeks.
- The New Zealand employer then submits a ‘job check’ which is essentially recent evidence they have advertised the role and could not find a suitably qualified New Zealander to fill it. This is supposed to also take around two weeks.
- The successful candidate files their work visa.
These three steps must be done sequentially.
How Long Can I Stay on an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV)/ Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in New Zealand?
The ESWV/AEWV allows you to stay in NZ for up to 3 years depending on salary.
If your salary falls below the national median then you are entitled to stay up to 24 months.
This visa also allows you to support visa applications for your partner and dependent children, as long as you meet the income requirements.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Is broken into several ‘sub categories’ but all allow skilled migrants to stay in New Zealand indefinitely. Migrants in this category can live, work and study in NZ without limitation.
To access this visa category, migrants must be below the age of 56 and must:
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) which describes their qualifications, experience and proposed future employment in NZ. Only successful applicants will be invited to apply for this visa category. This is a points based system pitting migrant against migrant; OR
- Have a job in NZ on the ‘Green List’ of occupations which provides a non points based pathway to a Resident Visa; OR
- A sub list of the ‘Green List’ occupations provide a non points based two year pathway to a Resident Visa; OR
- Have a permanent job in NZ that pays (by salary, not package) twice the median salary. This creates a non-points based pathway to residence.
Working Holiday Visa
NZ has a Working Holiday Visas with many countries which is generally available to young people between the ages of 18 and 30. Working Holiday Visa holders can stay in New Zealand for between 12 month and 24 months under normal circumstances.
To apply for the Working Holiday Visa you need to have enough money for a return ticket, and confirm that the primary objective of your stay is to holiday. Work and/or study should be secondary intentions.
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
The Entrepreneur Resident Visa allows self-employed individuals to stay in NZ. This visa allows you to work, live and study in NZ without limitations.
SSE Visa
The SSE Work Visa (Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa) is a visa that allows students and visitors already in NZ to apply for seasonal work. Seasonal work opportunities are typically in the horticulture or viticulture industries.
The SSE Visa can allow you to extend your stay in NZ by 6 months.
Temporary Graduate Visa / Post Study Work Visa
The Post Study Work Visa, sometimes also referred to as the Temporary Graduate Visa, allows you to stay and work in NZ after completing your qualifications. To qualify, it’s imperative that you completed your qualifications in New Zealand.
This visa type allows you to stay and work for any employer in NZ for 1-3 years, and do almost any type of work depending on the qualification that you came to New zealand to study.
Partnership Work Visa / Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
This Visa allows an individual to join their NZ partner, who is already working in NZ. The Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa may allow you to work in NZ as well as study up to 3 months.
Work Visa Application Process
Each work visa has a different application process. As part of the application you may be required to provide evidence demonstrating qualifications, experience and that you have been successful in a job application. You may also need to provide a health certificate and police certificate.
How much does a New Zealand working visa cost?
Depending on the work visa type, they generally cost a few hundred dollars.
How long does it take to get a work visa for New Zealand?
It typically takes between 2 months to get approval for a New Zealand Work Visa if you are using a competent adviser.
For More Info on Immigrating to NZ Check Your Eligibility
Are you a skilled migrant looking to apply for any of the visa types listed above?
Take our FREE Preliminary Evaluation to assess whether we can assist you with your migration.
