1st Contact New Zealand Visas

Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Visa

If you have an offer of employment from an accredited employer in New Zealand, you can apply for a work visa or permit for up to 30 months under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy. When you have worked for an accredited employer for two years you can apply for residence.

To be eligible under this visa you must:

• Be aged 55 years or under
• Be in good health and of good character
• Have an offer of employment from an accredited employer for at least 24 months, full time (at least 30 hours per week) with an annual base salary of NZ$50,000 (gross)
• Have met, or be able to meet, any of the necessary New Zealand registration requirements if these are required to take up the offer
• Have an offer of employment in New Zealand in the accredited employer's core area of business activity where the accredited employer are directly responsible for your output
• The offer must meet the requirements of New Zealand employment laws

Please note that, after 28th July 2008, the minimum annual base salary requirement referred to above will rise from NZ$50,000 to NZ$55,000. See Immigration New Zealand's Amendment Circular 2008-06 detailing this policy change.

You will have the opportunity to apply for residence under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Residence Policy after 24 months of being employed in New Zealand by your accredited employer assuming you are able to meet all of the permanent residence requirements

To be eligible you must:

• Be in good health and of good character
• Have been employed in New Zealand by an accredited employer under the Talent (accredited employer) Work Policy for at least 24 months
• Have employment in New Zealand which is full time (at least 30 hours per week) with an annual base salary of NZ$50,000 (gross)
• Hold full or provisional registration in New Zealand if this is a requirement for you to practise in your occupation
• Have an ongoing (no less than 12 months, with the option to extend) or indefinite employment contract

Permanent residence in New Zealand will only be granted if you satisfy all visa requirements as outlined by New Zealand Immigration.