Working in NZ for up to 3 months

Learn about the short-term visas that allow you to work in New Zealand temporarily for business, creative industries, education, sports or specialist projects.

Visitor visas — that allow you to work

Some visitor visas allow you to work in New Zealand for up to 3 months. For a list of all available work-related temporary visas see:

Other temporary visas — Immigration NZ

If you’re coming to NZ on business

You can get a special visitor visa, such as a Business Visitor Visa, for some business activities, including:

  • setting up or closing a business in NZ
  • making a short sales trip
  • taking part in an official trade mission recognised by the NZ government, or
  • carrying out business negotiations with a foreign company’s representatives in NZ.

Business Visitor Visa — Immigration NZ

If you make regular visits for business

If you come to New Zealand on regular short trips for trade and investment activities, you can apply for an APEC Business Travel Card.

APEC Business Travel Card — Immigration NZ

If you’re an entertainer, musician, artist or direct support staff

You can come here to work on a visitor visa as:

  • an entertainer
  • a musician or artist
  • direct support staff of an entertainer, musician or artist.

Your employer must be on Immigration NZ’s approved list of:

  • arts and music festivals, or
  • promoters.

Visitor Visas for performers and staff of festivals and entertainment acts — Immigration NZ

If you’re a journalist or work in the media

You can come to New Zealand on a visitor visa for up to 1 month if you’re working on the Visiting Media Programme offered by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise or the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Visiting Media Visitor Visa — Immigration NZ

If you’re an academic, teacher or researcher

If you’re invited by a New Zealand institution to work on teaching, educational, professional management or research activities, you only need a visitor visa.

Academic Visitor Visa — Immigration NZ

If you’re a sportsperson or working at a sports event

You can visit New Zealand for up to 3 months if you come here for an event or tour as:

  • a sportsperson
  • support staff for a sportsperson
  • a match or tournament official
  • a media or broadcasting worker.

You can only work at the event or tour you’re coming for.

Sports Event Visitor Visa — Immigration NZ

Work visas — for short-term visits with a specific purpose

You can be granted a work visa for up to 3 months in special circumstances. For a list of all available short-term work visas see:

Specific Purpose Work Visa — Immigration NZ

If you’re installing machinery or equipment

You can work in New Zealand for up to 3 months to install specialised machinery or equipment bought by a company in New Zealand. This only applies if it was a condition of the purchase.

Installers or servicers of specialised machinery or equipment from overseas — Immigration NZ

If you’re a Filipino nurse

If you’re a Filipino nurse wanting to get occupational registration in New Zealand, you can work here for up to 3 months to achieve that.

Nurses from the Philippines coming for occupational registration — Immigration NZ

Pay tax on income you earn while you’re in NZ

If you’re paid for your work by an NZ employer, you need to pay tax here.

Once you have your visa, apply for an IRD number from Inland Revenue. You give this number to your employer when you start work and use it for all of your New Zealand tax matters.

Tax for non-resident taxpayers — Inland Revenue

Other work visas

Immigration NZ lists many different visas that let you work in New Zealand including:

  • Working holiday visas
  • Work visas
  • Temporary visas
  • Resident visas

All are temporary visas, but some can lead to residence.

Visas that allow you to work in New Zealand — Immigration New Zealand

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.

Utility links and page information

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