Essential Skills Work Policy
Have a job offer?
Then an Essential Skills work visa might be your best choice
Essential Skills is a work visa policy designed to help New Zealand employers fill their vacancies with migrant skilled staff (as quickly as possible) if they are unable to find New Zealand workers. Work visas are temporary visas and allow a stay in New Zealand for a specified period up to 3 years.
If you have a job offer, chances are your employer is aware of this policy and meets the criteria, including:
- They have advertised the job locally and been unable to find a NZ citizen or resident available to fill the position
and/or
To support your application, your employer will need to complete an Employer Supplementary Form (PDF, 169 KB) and is best advised to write a letter indicating the particular skills you will bring to their firm.
To discover more about the qualifications needed for approval for this work visa, click here.
FAQs
Is this visa right for me?
The answer is yes, if:
- You have a job offer
- You prefer to work in New Zealand on a temporary basis
- Your skills/experience are needed as demonstrated by your employer’s search to fill the position, and/or its listing on the Immediate or Long Term Skills Shortage List and you meet the requirements set out on one of the lists.
How long a visa will I be granted if I am approved?
Most are granted for a minimum of 12 months – and usually to the length of your employment contract up to 3 years. It can be renewed before they expire, as long as your employer can continue to demonstrate there are no New Zealanders available to fill the position.
How long will it take to get this visa, once I apply?
If all your paperwork is in order, approvals can be fairly swift – often within weeks, if not faster.
What else do I need to get an Essential Skills work visa?
It’s easy. Click here to find more information about an Essential Skills work visa.
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