List of All Visa Options to Migrate to New Zealand for Work and Stay (2025)

List of All Visa Options to Migrate to New Zealand for Work and Stay (2025)

New Zealand offers several visa options for individuals seeking to work, live, and potentially settle in the country. Each visa type caters to different circumstances, including skilled workers, entrepreneurs, investors, and family members. Here’s a comprehensive list:

1. Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

• Purpose: For skilled workers who can contribute to New Zealand’s economy.
• Key Features:
  • Points-based system assessing age, skills, work experience, and qualifications.
  • Offers a pathway to residency.
• Eligibility:
  • Job offer in New Zealand is beneficial but not mandatory.
  • Skills must be on the Long-Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL).

2. Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

• Purpose: For skilled workers with a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
• Key Features:
  • Tied to a specific employer.
  • Employers must prove they couldn’t find a local worker for the role.
• Eligibility:
  • Proof of job offer from an accredited employer.
  • Meet skill and qualification requirements.

3. Working Holiday Visa

• Purpose: For young individuals (usually 18-30 or 18-35, depending on the country) to travel and work temporarily.
• Key Features:
  • Work for a limited period while exploring New Zealand.
  • Usually valid for 12-23 months.
• Eligibility:
  • Available to citizens of eligible countries.
  • Must have sufficient funds and meet health and character requirements.

4. Essential Skills Work Visa (Transitioning to AEWV)

• Purpose: For workers with a job offer in an occupation where there is a shortage of skills.
• Key Features:
  • Short- to medium-term visa tied to a specific employer.
• Eligibility:
  • Job must be in a skill-shortage area or deemed essential.

5. Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa (Phased out into AEWV)

• Purpose: For individuals with a job offer from an accredited employer.
• Key Features:
  • Allows a pathway to residency after 24 months.
  • High-salary or specialized roles.

6. Entrepreneur Work Visa

• Purpose: For those wanting to establish or run a business in New Zealand.
• Key Features:
  • Two stages: Start-up stage (12 months) and Balance stage (24 months).
  • Opportunity to transition to Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
• Eligibility:
  • Minimum capital investment of NZD 100,000 (exceptions may apply).
  • Comprehensive business plan and sufficient experience.

7. Investor Visa (Investor 1 and Investor 2)

• Purpose: For individuals willing to make a significant financial investment in New Zealand.
• Key Features:
  • Investor 1 (High Value): Invest NZD 10 million over three years.
  • Investor 2: Invest NZD 3 million over four years.
  • Pathway to residency.
• Eligibility:
  • Proof of funds, investment intent, and ability to live in New Zealand.

8. Post-Study Work Visa

• Purpose: For international students who completed their studies in New Zealand.
• Key Features:
  • Duration varies depending on the course of study.
  • Allows work in any field related to qualifications.
• Eligibility:
  • Must have completed a Level 7 qualification or higher.

9. Partner of a New Zealand Work Visa Holder

• Purpose: For partners of New Zealand work visa holders to work and live in the country.
• Key Features:
  • Open work visa (not tied to a specific employer).
• Eligibility:
  • Evidence of a genuine and stable relationship.

10. Long-Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) Work Visa

• Purpose: For individuals with skills listed on New Zealand’s LTSSL.
• Key Features:
  • Pathway to residency after two years.
• Eligibility:
  • Job offer in a skill-shortage role.
  • Meet qualification and experience requirements.

11. Residence from Work Visa

• Purpose: For individuals on a Talent Work Visa or Long-Term Skill Shortage Visa transitioning to residency.
• Key Features:
  • Permanent residency after 24 months.
• Eligibility:
  • Must meet income thresholds or skill shortage criteria.

12. Global Impact Visa (GIVs)

• Purpose: For entrepreneurs and innovators endorsed by the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
• Key Features:
  • Supports high-impact entrepreneurial projects.
  • Offers a pathway to residency.
• Eligibility:
  • Must be endorsed by the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.

13. Specific Purpose Work Visa

• Purpose: For individuals with a specific purpose or short-term work need, such as seasonal workers, sports professionals, or specialists.
• Key Features:
  • Tied to the specific job or project.
  • Valid for the duration of the purpose (up to three years).

14. Family Visa Options

• Purpose: For family members of New Zealand citizens, residents, or work visa holders.
• Key Features:
  • Includes partnership, dependent child, or parent residency pathways.
• Eligibility:
  • Evidence of relationship and financial stability.

15. Seasonal Work Visa (Recognized Seasonal Employer – RSE Visa)

• Purpose: For temporary work in horticulture and viticulture sectors.
• Key Features:
  • Short-term visa for seasonal jobs.
  • Limited to certain countries and industries.
• Eligibility:
  • Must have a job offer from a recognized seasonal employer.

16. Visitor Visa to Work Visa Transition

• Purpose: For individuals who enter New Zealand on a visitor visa and find a job.
• Key Features:
  • Can apply for a work visa from within New Zealand.

17. Pathways to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

Once you’ve been living and working in New Zealand under a work or resident visa for the required period, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Final Notes

Each visa has unique requirements, so it’s crucial to assess your qualifications, skills, and financial situation before applying. For the most accurate and updated information, visit New Zealand’s official immigration website: Immigration New Zealand (INZ).