New Zealand Work Visas - Compare Your Options
To work legally in New Zealand you must hold a valid work visa. New Zealand offers several work visa categories — each designed for different circumstances, qualifications, and goals. The right visa depends on whether you have a job offer from a New Zealand employer, your occupation, your age, and whether you want a pathway to residence.
Not sure which visa you need?
The type of visa you can apply for depends greatly on your situation; whether you have a formal job offer, whether your qualifications and potential position are present on a skills shortage list, and so on.
By working with a licensed immigration adviser you ensure we apply for the correct and best visa for you.
Take our free eligibility assessment ! A licensed immigration adviser will review your situation and recommend the visa most likely to succeed.
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New Zealand Work Visa Types at a Glance
The table below compares every current New Zealand work visa category. Click through to the detailed guide for each visa type.
| Visa Type | Job Offer? | Max Stay | Residence? | Best For |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Yes | Up to 5 yrs | Yes (via SMC / Green List) | Skilled workers with a NZ job offer |
| Working Holiday Visa | No | 12–23 months | No (can transition) | Young travellers (18–30/35) |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | Yes | Varies | No | Sports, technical,events, religious, exchange |
| Global Workforce Seasonal (GWSV) | Yes | Up to 3 yrs | No | Experienced seasonal workers |
| Peak Seasonal (PSV) | Yes | Up to 7 mths | No | Short-term seasonal peak demand |
| Post-Study Work Visa | No | 1–3 yrs | Yes (via SMC / Green List) | NZ graduates |
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}Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The AEWV is New Zealand’s primary work visa for skilled workers with a job offer. It replaced several older visa categories in July 2022 and has since become one of the most active employer-sponsored work programmes in the Asia-Pacific region. The visa can be granted for up to five years and, critically, it can serve as a stepping stone to New Zealand residence through the Green List or Skilled Migrant Category.
To qualify, you need a full-time job offer from an accredited employer who has completed a Job Check with Immigration New Zealand. Your qualifications, experience, pay rate, and English language ability will also be assessed. The process is employer-led, meaning your employer initiates the first two steps before you can apply.
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Working Holiday Visa
Working Holiday Visas allow young people (typically 18–30, or up to 35 for some nationalities) to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months — or 23 months for UK citizens. No job offer is required, and you get open work rights, meaning you can work for any employer in any role. More than 40 countries have a Working Holiday agreement with New Zealand, and many schemes have annual quotas that fill quickly on opening day.
A Working Holiday Visa does not directly lead to residence, but many people use it as a way to build New Zealand experience, find an employer willing to sponsor them for an AEWV, and eventually transition to a residence pathway.
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}Specific Purpose Work Visa
Specific Purpose Work Visas cover employment situations that don’t fit standard categories — including professional athletes and coaches, entertainers and performers, religious workers, exchange programme participants, and workers involved in government-approved projects or international agreements. The requirements and conditions vary depending on the specific purpose.
If your employment situation is unusual or specialised, a licensed immigration adviser can determine whether a Specific Purpose visa applies. Contact New Zealand Shores for an assessment.
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Seasonal Work Visas
From December 2025, two new seasonal visa options became available under the AEWV framework. These visas are designed for industries with genuine seasonal demand, such as horticulture, agriculture, and tourism.
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) can be granted for up to three years, with a requirement to spend at least three months outside New Zealand each year. It suits experienced seasonal workers who return to the same employer across multiple seasons. The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is shorter — up to seven months — and is designed for short-term peak-demand roles, with a four-month stand-down between applications.
Both seasonal visas require a job offer from an AEWV-accredited employer, but the employer does not need to advertise domestically. Neither visa leads to residence.
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}Post-Study Work Visa
Graduates of qualifying New Zealand programmes may apply for a Post-Study Work Visa, which grants open work rights for one to three years depending on your qualification level and study location. This visa is a popular route into skilled employment and can lead to residence via the Skilled Migrant Category or Green List if you secure a qualifying role.
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Which Work Visa Leads to New Zealand Residence?
One of the most important questions for work visa applicants is whether their visa can lead to permanent residence. Not all work visas are equal in this regard. Here is a quick summary of the residence pathways available from a New Zealand work visa:
Green List — Straight to Residence: Tier 1 occupations (e.g. specialist doctors, ICT professionals, engineers) allow you to apply for residence immediately with a qualifying job offer. No need to hold a work visa first.
Green List — Work to Residence: Tier 2 occupations (e.g. registered nurses, teachers, electrical engineers) require 24 months of work in New Zealand before you can apply for residence.
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): A points-based residence pathway. You accumulate points from your occupation, salary, qualifications, and NZ work experience. Updated SMC pathways launch in August 2026.
Sector Agreements: Care workforce and transport sector workers can apply for residence after 24 months in qualifying roles.
Understanding which residence pathway applies to you before you apply for a work visa is critical. The wrong visa type, occupation classification, or pay rate can delay or block your route to residence.
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}Get Your Free New Zealand Visa Eligibility Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions About New Zealand Work Visas
What types of work visa does New Zealand offer?
New Zealand offers several work visa types: the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for skilled workers with a job offer, Working Holiday Visas for young travellers, Specific Purpose Work Visas for unique roles, seasonal visas (GWSV and PSV) for seasonal industries, and Post-Study Work Visas for NZ graduates. The AEWV is the most commonly used pathway.
Do I need a job offer to work in New Zealand?
For most work visas, yes. The AEWV, Specific Purpose, and seasonal visas all require a job offer from a New Zealand employer. The Working Holiday Visa and Post-Study Work Visa are exceptions — they grant open work rights without needing a specific job offer.
Can a New Zealand work visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes. The AEWV can lead to residence through the Green List (Straight to Residence or Work to Residence pathways) or the Skilled Migrant Category. Post-Study Work Visas can also lead to residence if you secure a qualifying role. Working Holiday Visas do not lead directly to residence, but you can transition to an AEWV and then pursue residence.
What is the immigration median wage and why does it matter?
The immigration median wage is the benchmark Immigration New Zealand uses to set pay thresholds across many visa categories. From 9 March 2026 it is NZ$35.00/hour. It determines eligibility for partner support visas, residence pathways, advertising exemptions, and maximum stay rules. See our 2026 update page for full details.
How much does a New Zealand work visa cost?
As of 2025, AEWV application fees are NZ$1,540 for the worker. Employers separately pay for accreditation and the Job Check. Working Holiday Visa fees vary by country. Your employer cannot make you pay their recruitment or accreditation/job check costs — this is illegal under NZ employment law.
How long does it take to get a New Zealand work visa?
Processing times vary depending on the visa type and Immigration New Zealand’s workload. Complete, correctly prepared applications process faster. New Zealand Shores ensures your documentation is right from the start. Check our processing times page for current estimates.
Can New Zealand Shores help me apply for a work visa?
Yes. New Zealand Shores is a specialist immigration services provider with licensed immigration advisers. We assess your eligibility, recommend the best visa pathway, prepare and lodge your application, and support you through to approval. Contact us at [email protected]