New Zealand has made major changes to the Talent Work visa (Accredited Employer work visa) and Parent Resident visa. If you are already in New Zealand on a temporary work visa, your existing visa status will not change.

Most of the changes affect employers more than migrant workers. Please note that, while the changes have been made, the parent category is currently on hold due to COVID.

TALENT (ACCREDITED EMPLOYER) WORK VISA

As of 7 October 2019, the following changes apply:

• Annual salary limit increases from NZD $55,000 to NZD $79,560
• The option to get a Permanent Resident Visa based on a Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa has been removed
• Currently, if you have a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa issued prior to 7 October 2019 and you earn NZD $90,000 or more a year, you can apply for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa and get a Permanent Resident Visa.

SILVER FERN JOB SEARCH WORK VISA IS CLOSED

From 7 October 2019, you will no longer be able to apply for a Silver Fern Job Search Visa. If you already have a Silver Fern Job Search Visa, you can still apply for a Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR OBTAINING A WORK VISA IN NEW ZEALAND

**What is the process of applying for a Work Visa? From 2021, one new temporary work visa (known as the Employer Assisted Work Visa) will replace these visas:

• Essential Skills Work Visa
• Essential Skills Work Visa — approved in principle
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
• Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
• Silver Fern Job Search Visa, and
• Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa
• The conditions of this visa, like how long it is valid for will be based on the remuneration of the job rather than skill level banding, method currently being used.

I don’t have any formal qualifications, but I do have skills and experience. Can I still get a work visa for New Zealand?

It is not essential to have formal qualifications to gain a work visa. However, you must be able to document that you meet the criteria the employer stated in the advertising as necessary to be considered for the position. A lack of formal qualifications may however make it harder for you to qualify for residence if you are seeking to make a permanent move.

If I receive a job offer in New Zealand, do I have to stay with that employer?

If you receive a job offer and obtain points under the Skilled Migrant Category based on the offer, your residence may be conditional upon you working for that employer for a specified period of time. That condition will be stated on the Residence Visa.

If you are on a working visa, the visa will generally be tied to the job offer. This means you’re required to stay with your employer. There are some exceptions to this where the work visa allows employment with any employer.

Do I apply for a job in New Zealand, or a work visa first? In most instances you need a job offer from a New Zealand employer before seeking a work visa. The exceptions to this are if:

• You qualify for a work visa under the Working Holiday Visa category
• You are in a relationship with a New Zealand resident, visa holder, or citizen
• You are graduating with a tertiary qualification.

I don’t have any formal qualifications, but I do have skills and experience. Can I still get a work visa in New Zealand?

It is not essential to have formal qualifications to gain a work visa. However, you must be able to document that you meet the criteria the employer stated in the advertising as necessary to be considered for the position. A lack of formal qualifications may however make it harder for you to qualify for residence if you are seeking to make a permanent move.

Learn more about living and working in New Zealand.

Aaron Martin is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded practitioners in immigration law, with decades of experience in assisting private individuals, business, and corporate clients. Skilled in evaluating complex cases, ministerial intervention, appeals, and character or medical waivers.

Connect with Aaron today and dig-deeper into relevant topics for relocating to New Zealand.