Filling NZ’s skill shortages
You can come to New Zealand if you’re 55 or younger and have:
- skills and experience that are in short supply here — you can check these in the Long Term Skill Shortage List
- qualifications and registration, if needed, in your area of expertise, and
- been offered a job that:
- uses your skills and experience
- pays more than NZD$45,000 per year.
Skill shortage list checker
After you’ve worked here for 2 years you can apply for residence as long as your job:
- was on the Long Term Skill Shortage List when you applied for your visa, or
- is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List when you apply for residence.
Visa factsheet: Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Work based on your talents
You can apply to work here on a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa if:
- you’re under 55
- you have the offer of a full-time job for at least 2 years from an employer that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has accredited
- the job pays at least NZD$79,560 per year.
You can stay for up to 30 months and apply for residence after 2 years.
Accredited Employers List
Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
If you’ve worked in the South Island for 2 years
If you worked in the South Island for 2 years on a South Island Contribution Work Visa, you can apply for residence.
Visa factsheet: South Island Contribution Resident Visa
The South Island Contribution Work Visa is no longer offered.