NZ Work Visa 2026: Which Visa Do You Need and How to Apply
Planning to work in New Zealand? The right visa depends on whether you already have a job offer, how long you want to stay, and whether residence is the eventual goal. This guide covers the current work visa options, the 2026 costs and processing times published by Immigration New Zealand, and how the application process works in practice. It also explains the Skilled Migrant Category changes that took effect on 24 August 2026, which added two new residence pathways alongside the points system.
NZ work visa quick facts, October 2026
- Most common visa: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), from $1,540
- Fastest to get: Working Holiday Visa, 80% processed within 2 weeks
- No job offer needed: Working Holiday Visa, Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
- Leads to residence: Skilled Migrant Category, and the AEWV in many cases
- Recent change: two new Skilled Migrant Category pathways took effect on 24 August 2026
- Official source: immigration.govt.nz
What is a New Zealand work visa?
A New Zealand work visa allows you to work legally in the country for a specific employer, role or period. The main routes are the Accredited Employer Work Visa for people with a confirmed job offer, the Working Holiday Visa for younger travellers who do not need one, and the Skilled Migrant Category, which is a resident visa for skilled workers. Each route has its own eligibility rules, costs and timeframes, and choosing the wrong one is a common reason applications stall.
Main types of New Zealand work visas
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
This is New Zealand’s main temporary work visa and the one most skilled migrants apply for. You need a full time job offer from a New Zealand employer that Immigration New Zealand has accredited, in a role that has passed a Job Check.
- Duration: up to 5 years, depending on the job offered. Roles at lower skill levels have a shorter maximum stay
- Cost: from $1,540 (a $480 application fee plus a $1,060 immigration levy)
- Processing: 80% of applications completed within 6 weeks
- Path to residence: yes, through the Skilled Migrant Category and the work to residence visas
To meet the minimum skill requirement you generally need at least 2 years of relevant work experience, or a Level 4 or higher qualification. An English language test is required for roles at skill levels 4 and 5, and for skill level 3 roles since 1 June 2026. Most roles must also meet a wage threshold linked to the median wage, which is $35.00 an hour for immigration purposes since March 2026. This is the most common route in healthcare, IT, construction, engineering and other sectors with genuine skills shortages.
Skilled Migrant Category (Resident Visa)
This is New Zealand’s main pathway to residence for skilled workers who have a skilled job, or a job offer, with an accredited employer.
- Duration: residence (you can live and work in New Zealand indefinitely, subject to travel conditions)
- Cost: from $6,450 for the principal applicant, including the immigration levy. Additional fees apply for a partner or dependent children
- Processing: 80% of applications completed within about 4 months
- Age limit: 55 or under when you apply
Since 24 August 2026 there are three ways to qualify: the points based pathway, the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway. The pathways are covered in detail below.
Working Holiday Visa
For younger travellers who want to work while exploring New Zealand, without needing a job offer first.
- Duration: usually 12 months, varying by nationality. UK citizens can stay up to 36 months
- Cost: from $770 for most partner countries
- Processing: 80% within 2 weeks
- Age limit: 18 to 30 for most countries, extended to 18 to 35 for some
- Path to residence: no, though it can lead into other visa categories
You also need at least $4,200 in available funds, plus a return ticket or enough money to buy one. You cannot accept a permanent job on this visa, you cannot bring dependants on it, and partner or children need their own visas. You can study or train for up to 6 months in total.
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
For partners of New Zealand citizens or residents, this visa does not require a job offer and gives open work rights, so you can work for any employer. Our dedicated guide to the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa covers the relationship evidence and conditions in full.
- Cost: $1,630
- Duration: depends on how long you have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship
Specific Purpose Work Visa
For people coming to New Zealand for a defined event or purpose, such as business specialists, sports professionals, or technicians installing specialised equipment. The duration matches the event or project, and the fee varies with the purpose.
New Zealand work visa comparison
| Visa type | Job offer needed | Duration | Cost (from) | Path to residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Yes | Up to 5 years | $1,540 | Yes |
| Skilled Migrant Category | Yes, skilled job or offer | Residence | $6,450 | Direct residence |
| Working Holiday Visa | No | 12 months for most, up to 36 for UK citizens | $770 | No |
| Partner of a NZer Work Visa | No | Varies with relationship | $1,630 | Yes, in some cases |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | Yes | Length of event or project | Varies | No |
The Skilled Migrant Category in 2026: three pathways
The Skilled Migrant Category changed on 24 August 2026. Two new pathways were added alongside the existing points based route, the value of qualifications changed, and the wage threshold rules were simplified. Whichever pathway you use, you need a skilled job or job offer from an accredited employer, you must be 55 or under, and you must meet health, character and English requirements. Our Resident Visa NZ guide explains the residence application itself, including the Expression of Interest stage, which is free to submit. If you are invited to apply, you have 4 months to lodge the full application.
The points based pathway
Under the points pathway you claim 6 points from a single skill indicator: occupational registration, a qualification, or income. You can then add up to 3 points for skilled work experience in New Zealand. From 24 August 2026, a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate certificate gained overseas is worth 4 points, up from 3, and qualifications gained in New Zealand are worth more than the same qualification gained overseas. Applicants claiming points for a Level 8 or Level 9 qualification generally also need a supporting bachelor’s degree, unless they are claiming 5 points for a New Zealand master’s degree.
The Skilled Work Experience pathway
This pathway is for experienced workers whose strength is their track record rather than their qualifications or income. You need:
- A role at ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3, paid at least 1.1 times the Skilled Migrant Category wage threshold (the median wage, currently $35.00 an hour, so at least $38.50 an hour)
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience in a skill level 1 to 3 occupation
- At least 2 further years of skilled work experience in New Zealand, in a qualifying occupation paid at the required wage
Self-employment cannot be counted as directly relevant work experience under this pathway.
The Trades and Technician pathway
This pathway recognises qualified tradespeople and technicians in occupations Immigration New Zealand has listed as eligible. You need:
- An eligible trades or technician role paid at least the Skilled Migrant Category wage threshold
- A relevant qualification at Level 4 or higher. A New Zealand qualification must have at least 120 credits, which can be made up of more than one qualification where a lower qualification is a prerequisite for a higher one. An overseas qualification needs an International Qualification Assessment from NZQA assessing it at Level 4 or higher, and the 120 credit rule does not apply
- At least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience
- At least 1.5 further years of skilled post-qualification work experience in New Zealand, paid at the required wage
Self-employment cannot be counted under this pathway either.
Simpler wage threshold rules
Most applicants now need to meet only one wage threshold. In general it is the threshold that was in effect when you started building your skilled work experience, not a higher threshold in force when you apply for residence. A grace period also applies: if you begin skilled work within 5 months of your work visa being granted, the wage threshold from the grant date is the one used, even if the threshold has risen since. Similar rules now apply to the work to residence visas.
How the AEWV application process works
The Accredited Employer system has three sequential stages, and you cannot start your own application until the first two are complete. Our guide to NZ work visa sponsorship covers the employer side of this process in more depth.
Step 1: Employer accreditation
Before hiring a migrant worker, the employer must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand. This confirms they are a genuine business that meets employment standards. Accreditation lasts 12 months for a first application and 24 months on renewal. If your employer is not yet accredited when you receive a job offer, they can apply while you wait. It does not block your offer, but it does add to your overall timeline.
Step 2: The Job Check
Once accredited, the employer submits a Job Check for your specific role. This confirms the position is genuine, meets the relevant wage requirements and, unless the role is on the Green List or pays well above the median wage, that the employer genuinely tried to hire a New Zealander first.
Step 3: Your application
Once the Job Check is approved, your employer sends you a unique link, called a Job Token, to the online application. This is where you enter your details, upload your supporting documents and pay the visa fee. You can save your progress and return to it later.
Documents you will usually need
- Valid passport, generally valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure, or for the length of your employment
- Signed job offer and employment agreement, including hours, pay and location
- Job description matching the duties assessed in the employer’s Job Check
- Proof of qualifications: certified copies of degrees, diplomas or trade certificates
- Work experience evidence: references, tax records or payslips supporting your claimed experience
- Police certificates, if required for your visa type and length of stay
- Medical certificate and chest X-ray, typically required for stays over 12 months
- Proof of English ability, where your role’s skill level requires it
Documents that are not already in English need a certified translation. Submitting originals without one is a common cause of delay.
Common reasons applications are declined
- Job title mismatches: if the job title in your employment agreement does not align with the occupation code used in the employer’s Job Check, Immigration New Zealand may query or decline the application
- Missing certified translations of supporting documents
- Undisclosed health conditions: being untruthful about a condition that surfaces in your medical examination can be treated as providing false or misleading information
- Choosing the wrong visa category for your actual situation
- Not meeting the skill, qualification, experience or wage thresholds for the specific role
Getting help with your application
If you engage someone to help with your application, they must be a licensed immigration adviser registered with the Immigration Advisers Authority, or an exempt person such as a New Zealand lawyer with a current practising certificate. Using an unlicensed adviser is illegal in New Zealand and puts your application at real risk. Our guide to working as an immigration adviser in New Zealand explains the licensing system and how to check the public register before you pay anyone.
Where to check current official information
Visa fees, processing times and wage thresholds change fairly often. This guide reflects the position as of October 2026, but always confirm current figures directly on immigration.govt.nz before applying or budgeting around a specific number. You can also browse our other guides in the immigration category.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common work visa for New Zealand in 2026?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa, for people with a confirmed job offer from an accredited employer. It is granted for up to 5 years depending on the role and costs from $1,540.
Can I get a NZ work visa without a job offer?
Yes. The Working Holiday Visa and the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa do not require one. Most skilled worker visas, including the AEWV and the Skilled Migrant Category, generally do.
How much does a New Zealand work visa cost in 2026?
The AEWV costs from $1,540. The Skilled Migrant Category resident visa costs from $6,450 for the principal applicant, with additional fees for a partner or dependent children. The Working Holiday Visa costs from $770 for most countries, and the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa costs $1,630. These are government fees only. Medical exams, police certificates and document translation are separate costs.
How long does a New Zealand work visa take to process in 2026?
The Working Holiday Visa is fastest, with 80% processed within 2 weeks. For the AEWV, 80% of applications are completed within 6 weeks. The Skilled Migrant Category resident visa takes longer, with 80% completed within about 4 months.
What changed with the Skilled Migrant Category in August 2026?
Two new residence pathways took effect on 24 August 2026 alongside the points based route: the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway. Points for overseas bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate certificates increased from 3 to 4, New Zealand qualifications became worth more, and the wage threshold rules were simplified so most applicants meet a single threshold. Check immigration.govt.nz for the full detail relevant to your situation.
Can a NZ work visa lead to residence?
Yes. The Skilled Migrant Category is a direct residence pathway. The AEWV can also lead to residence, through the Skilled Migrant Category or a work to residence visa, particularly for roles on the Green List. The Working Holiday Visa does not lead to residence on its own.
What is the Green List and how does it affect my visa?
The Green List names occupations New Zealand has identified as being in genuine, ongoing shortage. Roles on it, including many nursing, engineering, teaching and trades positions, can bypass parts of the standard labour market check and may offer a faster pathway to residence.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand, Accredited Employer Work Visa, Working Holiday Visas and Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz
- Immigration New Zealand, Final details about changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and work to residence visas: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/final-details-about-changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa-and-work-to-residence-visa/
Disclaimer
This article is general information about New Zealand work visas. It is not immigration or legal advice for your individual situation. Visa rules, fees and processing times change, so confirm the current requirements with Immigration New Zealand, or with a licensed immigration adviser, before you apply.
