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Work to Residence

The Work to Residence Policy

The Work to Residence policy has four options that provide a pathway to gaining residence in New Zealand. An additional option is provided to enable General Skills category residence applicants to obtain an offer of employment in New Zealand. The four options providing pathways to residence are:

1. Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy

You may be eligible under this policy if you:

• Are aged 55 years or under, and
• Have an offer of employment in New Zealand for at least 24 months with an accredited employer and a minimum base salary of New Zealand $45,000 per annum (the salary amount may be waived if you have exceptional talent in afield of art, culture, of sport – see below), and
• Have met, or are able to meet, any of the necessary New Zealand registration requirements if these are required to take up the offer.

Offers of employment from accredited employers must be:

• For employment in New Zealand, and
• For a period of at least 24 months, and
• For full-time employment, (that is it amounts to, on average, at least 30 hours per week), and
• Current at the time the NZIS assesses your application and at the time of issue of the visa and/or grant of the permit, and
• Genuine, and
• For a position with a minimum base salary of New Zealand $45,000 per annum, and
• Accompanied by evidence of full or provisional registration, or eligibility for such registration, if full or provisional registration is required by law to take up the offer, and
• Compliant with all relevant employment law in New Zealand

2. Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Policy

You may be eligible under this policy if you:

• Are aged 55 years or under, and
• Satisfy the NZIS you have exceptional talent in a declared field of art, culture, of sport as described below, and
• Are sponsored by a New Zealand organisation of national repute in your field.

Exceptional Talent

• You have an international reputation and record of excellence in you declared field, and
• You are still prominent in that field, and
• Your presence in New Zealand will enhance the quality of New Zealand’s accomplishments and participation in that field or art, culture or sport.

3. Priority Occupations List Work Policy

You may be eligible under this policy if you:

• Have an offer of employment in New Zealand in an occupations that is included on the Priority Occupations List that meets the specifications for that occupation, and
• Are suitably qualified by training and/or experience to undertake you offer of employment as well as meeting any specific requirements set out in the Priority Occupations List, and
• Have met or are able to meet any of the necessary New Zealand registration requirements if these are required to take up the offer.

4. Long Term Business Visa/Permit

The Long Term Business Visa/Permit is a special category of work visa/permit and is not a residence category, but you may apply under this category if you are potential migrant interested in applying for residence under the Entrepreneur Category.
To apply under the Long Term Business Visa/Permit category, you must:

• Have a satisfactory business plan; and
• Have, in addition to investment capital, sufficient funds for your maintenance and accommodation and that of any non-principal applicants; and
• Satisfy the business immigration specialist that you are genuinely interested in establishing a business in New Zealand

In addition, you and any family included in your application must meet health and character requirements.

How long can I stay under the Work to Residence Policy?

If you are successful in applying under a Work to Residence policy you will be issued with a multiple Work Visas allowing the grant of a Work Permit current for the period set out below: