Working in New Zealand
Our honest advice.
New Zealand is a country many people know for its natural beauty and Lord of The Rings, but what they don't know, is how easy to live in it is.
Moving countries can at first seem impossible. Between visas, job hunting, organising your tax identification number (IRD), housing, and paperwork, the start can feel like a puzzle.
That is where support helps. Our team at Able guide you through the process, offer job-finding assistance and any help other help you need. We make what at first can seem like a mountain, into a mole hill.
Visitor Visas
Visitor visas allow you to come to New Zealand for tourism, visiting family, attending business meetings, or short-term study that is under three months. Visitor visas do not allow you to work. Citizens of visa-waiver countries may not need to apply for a visitor visa but must still hold a valid New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before travelling.
Visitor Visas are often used by nurses as a starting point for their relocation to New Zealand, as they allow you to enroll into a Competence Assessment Programme (CAP), and secure an offer of work.
Common visitor visa types include:
General Visitor Visa: For tourists, family visits, and short-term business travel. Usually granted for up to nine months.
Partner and Child of Worker/Student Visitor Visas: Allow family members to visit the primary visa holder in New Zealand without work rights.
Grandparent Visitor Visa: Allows grandparents of NZ citizens or residents to stay for up to 18 months over a three-year period.
Business Visitor Visa: For people attending conferences, negotiations, or exploring business opportunities.
Work Visas
Work visas are one of the most common pathways to New Zealand and often the first step toward permanent residence. At Able Visas, we guide you through the application process, reducing stress so you can focus on securing the right job.
Main work visa categories:
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The most common work visa. Your employer must hold current INZ accreditation and an approved Job Check. Valid for up to five years, with potential pathways to residence through Skilled Migrant or Green List criteria.
Working Holiday Visa
Available to eligible applicants aged 18–30 (or up to 35 for some nationalities). Allows you to live and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or up to 23 months for UK and Canadian citizens. Quotas apply and many schemes fill quickly.
Specific Purpose Work Visa
For applicants coming to New Zealand for a defined short-term purpose or project.
Post-Study Work Visa
For graduates of eligible New Zealand qualifications who want to remain and work after completing their studies.
Student Visas
Student visas are valid for the duration of your enrolled course and may include part-time work rights during term time and full-time work during scheduled breaks. They can also be a strong first step toward longer-term relocation. Depending on your study type, level, and duration, you may be eligible to support family visas and/or apply for a post-study work visa.
At Able Visas, we understand how important education is and how overwhelming it can feel sending yourself or a loved one overseas to study. We help remove the stress from the application process, so you can focus on your study journey.
Student visa types include:
Fee Paying Student Visa:
The standard visa for international students enrolled with an approved education provider. Applicants must show proof of enrolment, sufficient funds, and medical insurance.
Pathway Student Visa:
Allows you to study up to three consecutive programmes on one visa, reducing the need for multiple applications.
Dependent Child Student Visa:
For school-age children of eligible work or student visa holders.
Residency Visas
A New Zealand resident visa allows you to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely. Applications for these visas require careful preparation. Mistakes or missing information can result in delays of months or expensive declines We at Able can support you in navigating these processes and ensuring you have the best chance possible of a successful application.
Skilled Migrant pathways: The residence visa for skilled workers with a job offer in New Zealand. Depending on your background, your job offers in New Zealand, and your remuneration (Salary), a number of pathways exist, including the Green list of occupations, the Skilled Work Experience pathway, or the Skilled Migrant Category.
Partnership-Based Residence: For partners of New Zealand citizens or residents (covered in the Partnership section below).
Parent Category: For parents sponsored by their adult children who are NZ citizens or residents.
Partnership and Family Visas
If your partner, spouse, parent, or child is a New Zealand citizen, resident, or temporary visa holder, you may be eligible for a family-based visa.
Relationship evidence is essential for partnership applications. Immigration New Zealand requires strong proof that your relationship is genuine, including shared finances, living arrangements, and future plans. At Able Visas, we help ensure your application is prepared to Immigration New Zealand standards, giving you the best chance of success.
Main visa categories:
Partner of a Worker Work Visa:
For applicants whose partner holds a valid New Zealand work visa.
Partner of a Student Work Visa:
For applicants whose partner is studying in New Zealand.
Partnership-Based Resident Visa:
For applicants in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident, typically after 12 months of living together.
Parent Category Resident Visa:
For parents of adult New Zealand citizens or residents who meet income and sponsorship requirements.
Dependent Child Visas:
For children of eligible work, student, or resident visa holders.
Business and Investor Visas
New Zealand offers residence pathways for people who wish to invest in or establish a business in the country. These visas are designed to attract capital, entrepreneurial talent, and job creation. Business and investor applications are complex, high-value, and heavily scrutinised. Getting the business plan, valuation, and investment structure right from the outset is essential.
Our Team at Able Visas will partner with you throughout the process, leveraging off of our extensive contacts within Government, Iwi and the business community to remove as much of the stress and risk as possible.
The main business and investor categories are:
Active Investor Plus Visa: Requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million (or NZD $10–15 million for a more passive approach) over a defined period, with the applicant actively involved in managing or overseeing their investment.
Business Investor Visa: For people who want to establish or purchase a business in New Zealand. Applicants must present a detailed business plan, demonstrate business experience, and have sufficient capital.
Start your journey to becoming a Kiwi
Whether you are planning to visit, study or work in New Zealand, or you are a business looking to recruit skilled workers, Able Visa’s & Recruitment is here to help.
Book a consultation to discuss your visa or recruitment needs today.
