New Zealand Work Visa for Indians
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About New Zealand Work Visa
New Zealand provides a supportive environment for professionals looking to advance their careers while enjoying a vibrant lifestyle and beautiful surroundings. Before you submit your New Zealand work visa application, know the following key facts about the country.
Key Fact |
Details |
Capital |
Wellington |
Currency |
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) (NZD 1 = INR 51.10) |
Language |
English, Māori |
Time Zone |
NZ Standard Time, UTC+12; NZ Daylight Time (NZDT), UTC+ 13 (during daylight saving) |
Popular Tourist Destinations |
Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Fiordland National Park |
New Zealand Work Visa Processing Time |
Varies with each visa type. For instance, it's 3 months for the Accredited Employer Work visa. |
Documents Required for a New Zealand Work Visa
Documentation is an essential part of the New Zealand work visa application process. The requirements are extensive and vary as per the visa type. Here's a summary of the most commonly required documents.
Note: This is a generic list of documents needed for most work visa types. Additional documents may be required according to your visa type.
Document Type |
Description |
Passport |
Provide a scanned copy of the passport's personal details page. |
Photos as per New Zealand work visa photo requirements |
For paper applications: 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. For online applications: between 500 KB and 3 MB, 900 x 1,200 pixels to 2,250 x 3,000 pixels, in JPG or JPEG format. |
Medical Examination |
An X-ray of your chest along with a medical exam may be required, varying by visa type. You don't need these if you are planning to stay in the country for less than 6 months. |
Police Certificate (Criminal Record Clearance) |
Required for applicants who are 17 and above, including certificates from all countries of citizenship and any country where you have lived for 12 months at least in the past 10 years. |
Supporting Documents |
Depending on the visa type, you may need to provide additional documents such as: 1. Proof of educational qualifications. 2. Your employment or work contracts. 3. Occupational registration in New Zealand. 4. English Language Proof through citizenship, educational history, or English language tests. |
Types of New Zealand Work Visa
New Zealand has a wide range of work visa types to ensure that all types of working professionals are covered. Here's a summary of the various New Zealand work visa types you can apply for.
- Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa- For those working in a care workforce role for 24 months or with a job offer from an authorised employer.
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa- For those with a job offer or current employment in New Zealand who qualify for 6 points and submit an EOI.
- Straight to Residence Visa- For those working or with a job offer from an authorised employer with a role on Tier 1 of the Green List.
- Transport Work to Residence Visa- For individuals working in a transport role in New Zealand for 24 months or with a job offer from an authorised employer.
- Work to Residence Visa- For those working in a Tier 2 Green List in-demand role for 24 months or with a job offer from an authorised employer.
- Accredited Employer Work Visa- For individuals with a job offer from an authorised employer and appropriate skills and qualifications.
- Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa- For short-term work in the horticulture and viticulture industries, with a job offer from a Recognised Seasonal Employer.
- Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa- For those working in domestic roles for diplomats, consuls, or official staff.
- Partner of a Student Work Visa- For partners of students studying level 7 or 8 qualifications or higher, allowing them to work in New Zealand.
- Working Holiday Extension Work Visa- For those extending a Working Holiday Visa by an additional 3 months after completing seasonal work in horticulture or viticulture.
- Crew Joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa- For crew members joining a vessel or aircraft departing for another country.
- Entertainers Work Visa- For international performing artists or entertainers essential to a production.
- Fishing Crew Work Visa- For crew members working on fishing vessels in New Zealand waters.
- Business Visitor Visa- For short-term business visits to New Zealand, valid for up to 3 months.
- Post Study Work Visa- For those who have completed an acceptable qualification in New Zealand, are allowed to work for any employer.
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa- For partners of New Zealand citizens or residents, allowing them to work while in New Zealand.
- Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa- For participants in approved work exchange schemes, including paid work and accommodation.
- Second or Subsequent Resident Visa- For those wishing to return to New Zealand after the expiration of the previous resident visa.
- Partner of a Worker Work Visa- For partners of workers holding a work visa for over 6 months, allowing them to work in New Zealand.
- Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa- For individuals with a Global Impact Work Visa for 30 months or more, allowing permanent residency.
- Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa- For travel to New Zealand on a private yacht or aircraft.
- Student and Trainee Work Visa- For students needing practical work experience as part of their study or medical/dental trainees.
- Religious Worker Resident Visa- For religious workers who have been in New Zealand on a Religious Worker Work Visa for 3 years.
- Religious Worker Work Visa- For religious workers wishing to contribute to religious practices.
- Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa- For those reporting exploitation with an employer-supported work visa.
- Victims of Family Violence Work Visa- For individuals who have experienced family violence while on a partnership-based visa.
- Visiting Media Visitor Visa- For media participants in New Zealand Trade and Enterprise or Tourism Board's Visiting Media Programme.
- Global Impact Work Visa- For innovative entrepreneurs or investors selected by the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
- Super Yachts Visitor Visa- For owners or crew of super yachts travelling to New Zealand.
- Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa- For individuals with exceptional talent in arts, culture, or sports, supported by a New Zealand organisation.
- Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa- For victims of family violence who were partners of New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Trafficking Victim Work Visa- For individuals certified as victims of trafficking by New Zealand Police, allowing work if needed.
- Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa- For those in New Zealand on a student or visitor visa seeking seasonal work in horticulture or viticulture.
- Trafficking Victim Resident Visa- For individuals unable to return home after being trafficked into or within New Zealand.
- Specific Purpose Work Visa- For those coming to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event.
- Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa- For employees crucial to a relocating business' success, who meet visa conditions.
- Partner of Military Work Visa- For partners of military visa holders, allowing work in New Zealand for the same duration as the military visa.
- Academic Visitor Visa- For academics participating in teaching, research, or professional management activities in New Zealand.
- Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa- For performers and support crews participating in approved arts and music festivals.
- Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa- For those with a current work visa who were dismissed from their job during a trial period.
- Entrepreneur Work Visa- For experienced business people establishing or buying a business in New Zealand.
- Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa- For partners of students on MFAT-funded NZ Scholarships, allowing them to work while the student is studying.
- Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa- For performers and support crew for short-term entertainment acts, promoted by approved promoters.
- South Island Contribution Resident Visa- For those employed in the South Island for two years on a South Island Contribution Work Visa.
- Sports Events Visitor Visa- For sports people, support staff, and media attending sports events or tours in New Zealand.
How to Apply for a New Zealand Work Visa for Indians?
Here's a guide on how to apply for a New Zealand work visa from India.
- Choose Your Visa: Review the various New Zealand visa options and select the one that best fits your purpose.
- Review Visa Requirements: Understand the specific criteria for the visa you are applying for. Requirements may include health, character and identity checks, financial stability, skills and qualifications, and your length of stay in New Zealand. Be prepared to provide evidence that you meet these requirements. Some visas require an initial Expression of Interest (EOI) before submitting a full application.
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather all the necessary documents and ensure they are translated into English if needed. Allow sufficient time for this process.
- Submit Your Application: For most work visas, apply online by creating a RealMe account.
- Go to the relevant visa page on the New Zealand Immigration website.
- Scroll down until you see the 'Apply Now' option.
- Create your RealMe account by providing your personal and travel details.
- Upload your supporting documents and photographs, and pay the application fee using a credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or UnionPay).
A paper application is required for certain visa types. You can download the visa forms and the guide for your relevant visa type and follow the instructions provided.
- Await Processing: The processing time for your visa will vary based on the type of visa, your location, and the volume of applications. Be patient as your application is reviewed.
New Zealand Work Visa Fees
New Zealand work visa fees are different for each work visa type. Here's a summary of the work visa fees.
New Zealand Visa Types |
New Zealand Work Visa Fees |
Post-Study Work Visa |
NZD 490 (INR 25,097.67) |
Work Visa Partner |
NZD 650 (INR 33,292.83) |
Work to Residence Visa |
NZD 650 (INR 33,292.83) |
Entrepreneur Work Visa |
NZD 3,710 (INR 1,90,025.21) |
Working Holiday Scheme |
NZD 210 (INR 10,756.14) |
Working Holidaymaker Extension |
NZD 210 (INR 10, 756.14) |
Accredited Employer Work Visa |
NZD 540 (INR 27,658.66) |
Work Visa (Other) |
NZD 490 (INR 25,097.67) |
Limited Visa (Recognised Seasonal Employer) |
NZD 310 (INR 15,878.12) |
*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations
How to Track the Status of New Zealand Work Visa for Indians?
Here's how to check your New Zealand work visa status:
- Log In to Your Account: Access your RealMe® account to check the status of your application.
- Check Application Status: If your application status shows as 'Submitted,' it means it is in the queue for processing. If additional information is required, you will receive an email notification with instructions to view a letter attached to your online account.
FAQs
-
Q1: Do I need to get a chest x-ray for my New Zealand work visa application?
Ans: Yes, Indians need to get a chest x-ray because India is not one of the countries that have a low incidence of Tuberculosis. You need to get a chest x-ray if you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months.
-
Q2: Can I include my children in my New Zealand work visa application?
Ans: You cannot include your children in your work visa application if they are not dependent on you. They must apply for their own visa.
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Q3: What is the processing time for a New Zealand work visa?
Ans: Processing times vary depending on the visa type, the volume of applications, and where you apply from. It can range from a few weeks to several months. For example, the New Zealand work visa is 3 months for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
-
Q4: What should I do if my New Zealand visa application is declined?
Ans: If your application is declined, you can appeal the decision within 42 days. You must appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal.
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Q5: Do I need to earn a minimum salary to be eligible for a New Zealand work visa?
Ans: Certain visa types need you to earn a median wage as specified in the New Zealand work visa requirements. The requirements are listed on the New Zealand Immigration visa website.