New Zealand Visa & Work Permit Guide

KEY TAKEAWAYS

New Zealand's primary route for foreign workers is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which requires a job offer from an employer that Immigration New Zealand has approved to hire migrants.

New Zealand's primary route for foreign workers is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which requires a job offer from an employer that Immigration New Zealand has approved to hire migrants.

Australian citizens can live and work in the country without a visa, and several other visa categories (working holiday, partner, post-study work) sit alongside the AEWV for people who don't have a standard job offer.

RemoFirst's RemoVisa service helps employers navigate New Zealand's immigration requirements, manage documentation, and support compliant work authorization processes.

Work Authorization and Legal Residence Overview

Most foreign nationals need a visa that includes work rights before they can start a job in New Zealand. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main channel for this: it replaced New Zealand's previous work visa categories in 2022 and now covers the large majority of employer-sponsored hires.

The AEWV system works in three stages. First, the employer must become an "accredited employer" with Immigration New Zealand, which checks that the business is financially sound and has a clean record on employment law.

Second, the employer applies for a "job check" for the specific role, showing that the pay and conditions meet local requirements and, in many cases, that the role couldn't reasonably be filled by a New Zealander.

Only once both of those are approved can the migrant worker submit their own visa application.

For workers in occupations on the Green List — a list of roles New Zealand has identified as being in high, ongoing demand, spanning healthcare, engineering, IT, and skilled trades — the AEWV can lead directly into the Green List Work to Residence Visa, giving a clear route to permanent residency without needing to compete through the general points-based system.

Summary: Most foreign nationals need an AEWV, or another applicable work visa, before they can legally work in New Zealand.

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Types of Work Visas and Permits Available

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The AEWV is the primary work visa in New Zealand for skilled foreign workers. It allows non-residents to live and work for an accredited New Zealand employer and is a key pathway to residency, especially for those working in jobs listed on the Green List (in-demand occupations like healthcare, IT, engineering, and trades). Visa length depends on the role's skill level: skill level 1–3 roles can lead to a maximum cumulative stay of up to 5 years, while skill level 4–5 roles are capped at up to 3 years, depending on the job offer, pay rate, and the date of the applicant's first AEWV application.

Validity: Maximum cumulative stay of up to 5 years (skill level 1–3) or up to 3 years (skill level 4–5)
Sponsorship: Required; the applicant needs a job offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check
Transferable: Yes, at a cost and if conditions are met
Processing time: Up to 6 months
Renewable: Yes
Dependents Permit: Yes; covers a spouse or registered partner and minor children (under 25)

High-Level Eligibility Criteria:

Valid full-time job offer (30+ hours/week) from an accredited NZ employer
Job must be listed on the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations)
Role must pay at least the statutory minimum wage for most roles; some roles still carry a higher pay threshold
Provide evidence of relevant qualifications or work experience for the role
Meet health and character requirements (police certificate, medical checks)
Meet English language requirements (not always required depending on country of origin or job type)

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Green List Work to Residence Visa

The Green List Work to Residence Visa is a pathway to permanent residency in New Zealand for skilled workers in high-demand occupations. It’s designed for individuals who have already been working in eligible Green List jobs under an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Visa holders can apply for residence after completing 2 years of work in a qualifying role, without needing a new job offer at the time of application.

Validity: Indefinite
Sponsorship: Required
Transferable: Yes
Processing time: Up to 6 months
Renewable: Not applicable
Dependents Permit: Yes; covers a spouse or registered partner and minor children (under 25)

High-Level Eligibility Criteria:

Worked in a Green List occupation in New Zealand for at least 2 years
Hold (or have held) a valid AEWV during the 2-year work period
Job must be with an accredited employer
Been continuously employed in the same or similar role on the Green List
Role must meet minimum salary or wage thresholds, if applicable to the occupation
Meet English language requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.5 or equivalent unless exempt)
Evidence of relevant qualifications or professional registration, if required for the role
Meet health and character criteria (as per residence visa standards)
Be 55 or younger at the time of application
No current employment is required at the time of residence application, if work history meets the 2-year requirement
Must apply within 6 months of meeting the 2-year employment requirement

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Exemptions From Work Permit Requirements

Certain individuals may live and work in New Zealand without an AEWV or another standard work visa, including:

New Zealand citizens
Australian citizens, who can live and work in New Zealand without a visa
Citizens of a country with a working holiday agreement with New Zealand, generally aged 18–30 (up to 35 for some nationalities), for up to 12 months (longer for a few countries)
Partners of New Zealand citizens or resident visa holders, and partners of certain work or student visa holders, who can apply for a partner work visa
Recent graduates on a Post Study Work Visa, for up to 3 years depending on their qualification
Certain diplomatic, consular, and military personnel

⚠️ Most foreign nationals still need a work visa such as the AEWV before starting employment with a New Zealand employer.

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Common Hiring Scenarios in New Zealand

Scenario	Permit Required?	Notes
Registered nurse or aged care worker hired by a healthcare provider	AEWV	Healthcare is a Green List sector
Software developer or IT specialist hired by a tech company	AEWV	Often a Green List role
Skilled tradesperson (electrician, builder) hired for a construction project	AEWV	Trades are widely represented on the Green List
Hospitality or retail worker hired on a lower-skill role	AEWV	Subject to skill level and wage requirements; may affect maximum visa length
Worker who has held an AEWV in a Green List role for 2+ years	Green List Work to Residence Visa	Leads directly to residency without a new job offer
Young person from a working holiday partner country	Working Holiday Visa	Work must remain secondary to travel
Spouse or partner of a work visa holder	Partner Work Visa	Separate application tied to the sponsoring partner's visa

Most Common Route for Foreign Employees

The standard pathway for hiring foreign workers in New Zealand generally follows this structure:

Employer applies for and obtains AEWV accreditation from Immigration New Zealand, showing the business is financially viable and compliant with employment law.
Employer submits a job check for the specific role, including evidence of the pay rate and, in most cases, that the position was advertised locally without finding a suitable candidate.
Once the job check is approved, the employer sends the prospective employee a unique link to apply for the AEWV.
The employee submits their application with supporting documents — passport, qualifications, work experience evidence, and health and character checks.
Immigration New Zealand assesses the application and issues a decision.
Once approved, the employee can travel to New Zealand and begin work under the conditions of their visa.

Workers in Green List roles can begin building toward the Green List Work to Residence Visa from the day they start work on an eligible AEWV.

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Is Employer Sponsorship Required?

Yes.

The AEWV is employer-led: a worker cannot apply without a job offer from an employer that already holds valid accreditation and an approved job check for that specific role. Employers cannot pass their accreditation or job check costs on to the employee.

Exceptions:

Working holiday visa holders don't need employer sponsorship
Partner visa holders don't need employer sponsorship
Post-study work visa holders don't need employer sponsorship

Source:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/for-employers/getting-accreditation-or-approval-to-hire/employer-accreditation-for-the-aewv/

Eligibility and Employer Requirements

Who Qualifies (Employee Side)

Foreign nationals seeking work authorization in New Zealand generally require:

Valid passport
Confirmed full-time job offer (30+ hours/week) from an accredited employer, linked to an approved job check
Evidence of relevant qualifications or work experience for the role
Health and character checks (medical exam, police certificate)
English language evidence, where required for the occupation's skill level

What the Employer Must Provide:

Valid AEWV accreditation (standard, high-volume, or triangular/controlling third party, depending on business size and hiring model)
An approved job check for the role, including evidence of market-rate pay and, where required, proof the role was advertised locally
A compliant employment agreement
Records confirming the business's financial standing and legal compliance

Source:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/for-employers/getting-accreditation-or-approval-to-hire/employer-accreditation-for-the-aewv/aewv-employer-accreditation-and-job-check-process/

Other Important Considerations

Labor Market Testing and Job Advertising

For most roles, employers must advertise the position locally and engage with Work and Income (New Zealand's employment service) before hiring a foreign worker, to confirm no suitable New Zealander was available. Requirements vary by skill level and are lighter for seasonal categories.

Visa Length by Skill Level

How long an AEWV holder can stay generally depends on the skill level of their role: roles at higher skill levels can generally support longer maximum stays than lower-skilled roles, and workers who reach their maximum continuous stay must spend time outside New Zealand before applying for another AEWV.

The Green List

The Green List identifies occupations New Zealand has designated as being in high, sustained demand. Some Green List roles offer a "Straight to Residence" pathway from day one, while others — as reflected in the Green List Work to Residence Visa — require 2 years qualifying work on an AEWV first.

Changing Employers

An AEWV is tied to a specific employer, role, and location. Changing any of these generally requires applying to vary the visa conditions, applying for a "job change," or applying for a new visa altogether.

Family and Dependents

Both the AEWV and the Green List Work to Residence Visa allow the primary visa holder to bring a spouse or registered partner and dependent children (generally under 25) at an additional cost, though partner work rights can depend on the primary visa holder's pay and skill level.

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Long-Term Residence and Permanent Residency

The Green List Work to Residence Visa is one of the more direct paths to residence, requiring 2 years of qualifying work rather than a competitive application.

Workers outside the Green List can pursue residence through the Skilled Migrant Category, which now splits into three separate pathways: a points-based pathway that accounts for qualifications, professional registration, income, and time spent working in New Zealand, a Skilled Work Experience pathway, and a Trades and Technician pathway.

Once someone holds a resident visa for 2 years in a row, they can generally apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.

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Typical Processing Times and Common Delays

AEWV Timeline:

Employer accreditation: Several weeks
Job check approval: Several weeks, longer if advertising and Work and Income engagement are required
Employee application preparation and submission: 1–3 weeks
Immigration New Zealand review and decision: Generally weeks, but can extend toward the higher end of the visa's stated timeline for complex cases
Travel and start of employment: Variable

Green List Work to Residence Visa Timeline:

Confirming 2 years of qualifying Green List employment: Ongoing, tracked through AEWV work history
Application preparation and submission: 1–3 weeks, must be filed within 6 months of meeting the work requirement
Immigration New Zealand review and decision: Up to several months

Common Sources of Delays Include:

Incomplete evidence of work experience (reference letters alone are generally not sufficient)
Job advertising or Work and Income engagement not properly documented
Incorrect occupation classification for the role
Missing or expired health, character, or English language evidence
Employer accreditation lapsing partway through the process

Employers should build in time for both the accreditation and job check stages before a candidate can even submit their AEWV application, since the process is sequential rather than simultaneous.

Source:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa/

How RemoFirst (RemoVisa) can Help

Navigating New Zealand's work permit and residence process can be complex and confusing. RemoVisa can help. We support employers and foreign hires by:

Managing employer-sponsored visa applications: We guide accreditation and job check preparation, draft compliant job documentation, and support submission through Immigration New Zealand's official system.
Ensuring compliant work permit + residence processing: We coordinate required documents (passport, qualifications, health and character checks) and monitor approvals.
Leveraging global coverage (110+ countries): New Zealand is just one of many countries where we can help you hire and scale as part of our global EOR network.
Providing managed support from immigration experts: Our team knows the nuances, common pitfalls, and how to anticipate delays.
Bundling visa support with payroll, benefits, onboarding: Foreign hires become fully integrated employees without burdening your internal HR.

Plus: If your new hire has dependents (spouse or minor children), we can help with dependent permits, housing support, and compliance with resident-application requirements.

Find out what specific permits or visas in New Zealand we support under our Employer of Record and RemoVisa services.

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Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and work permit requirements in New Zealand may change, and final decisions are made by local authorities. Always consult an immigration professional for the most up-to-date, personalized guidance — including services like RemoVisa.

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