Qualifications Needed for Acceptance

To qualify for a Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work to Residence visa, start here

The qualifications for Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work to Residence visa will be assessed on several points detailed below.

To make an application, you must:

• Have a passport that’s valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand
• Under age 55
• Have an offer of sponsorship from an organisation of national repute in your field noting how your presence in New Zealand will enhance the quality of New Zealand’s accomplishments in that area
  • Sponsors will need to complete the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form (PDF, 224 KB)
• Be able to provide proof of your own record of excellence in your field
  • And that you are still prominent in your field
  • With an international reputation 

FAQs

Are there any other qualifications needed?

If necessary, one of your sponsors must undertake to meet your financial requirements for maintenance, accommodation and return air fare.

What about medicals?  Will I need to provide these?

Yes, you’ll need a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate for NZ (PDF, 475 KB).  This must be less than 3 months old when you submit your application.

What about work – who can I work for if I am granted this visa?

You’ll be allowed to work for any employer.

Anything else?

You will need to provide police certificates from your country of citizenship, as well as any country in which you’ve lived for 5 or more years since you were 17. Police certificates must be no more than 6 months old when you submit your application.  To obtain more detailed information, click here.

OK, I understand.  How do I apply?

Great.  To download your application, click here (PDF,373 KB). 
To download the associated guide to assist with your application, click here (PDF, 309 KB).
And for more information on applications and timing, click here.