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WORK in NZ



FRENZ can help you to be eligible to work in New Zealand

Accredited Employer Work Visas or AEWV

This replaces the previous standard employer based work visas, can be up to 5 years depending on your qualifications, your work experience and the industry in which you’re looking to work.

To get a work visa you must first have a job offer from an employer who has successfully completed the Employer Check and the Job Check which INZ now requires.   Click here for a list of Accredited Employers

In addition to having the qualifications, skills and experience to meet your prospective employer’s requirements, you must also meet those of Immigration NZ, which can be a bit tricky.  There are restrictions on whether family members can join you here in NZ or not.

You must be of good character and in good health.

Note that recent INZ decisions have tied visa eligibility to the median wage hourly rate as determined by NZStats annual surveys

If you’re planning to do a visa, we can not only help you with the visa and guide you on your residence pathway.


“When I hear the words helpful, supportive, understanding, compassionate and intouch, I see FRENZ. All these words describe them. When I was applying for my visa it was quite a stressful time and they were understanding, helpful, supportive and compassionate with regular followups and updates. I would advise them for anyone around this world and any age, because had outstanding service from them.” – Rozanne

Varying a Visa


Varying a Visa through Variation of Conditions or Job Change

Circumstances sometimes change. It is your responsibility to ensure that you always comply with the conditions of your visa.

If you change employers, want to work while you study, want to study while you work, you must make sure your visa allows you to do so; otherwise, you will be working unlawfully.

If it doesn’t, you must either get a new visa or apply for a Variation of Conditions (VOC) or Job Change on your visa – depending on what visa you’re on and whether your employer is Accredited with a valid Job Check. Varying a visa is less expensive than a new visa and generally, though not always, less involved and with a faster turnaround.

A variation will have the same expiry date as your current visa, but it will allow you to make the change that you need and remain lawful in NZ.  You can click here to find more details on the Job Change and Variation of Conditions.

Click here to learn more about Job Change.


Extending Critical Purpose Visitor Visa to 2 years through a Specific Purpose Work Visa

INZ have changed the criteria for the “Specific Purpose Work Visa” (‘SPWV’) to allow those workers on a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa (‘CPVV’) – granted through the border exception and which had a 1-year duration, to apply for a SPWV to stay for up to 3 years from their arrival to NZ.  

The employer doesn’t have to be accredited for this but the visa is for the same role, equal or better conditions (e.g., location) and paid at least the median wage (again, note that this becomes $29.66 from end of Feb).  

Additionally, the visa allows for family to apply for relationship-based visas – work visas, visitor visas and/or student visas.

Costs for the visas are similar to an Accredited Employer Work Visa (but without costs for you as the employer to complete Accreditation/Job Check).  This visa can’t be varied so if you might be changing farms or names, the SPWV might not work for you. 

Being able to work through a family or partnership visa

With the Family Category, as a partner of a New Zealand Citizen or Resident Visa Holder, you may be eligible to apply for Residence on the basis of your relationship.
INZ will assess the relationship and will require evidence that it is genuine and stable and that you have been living together for at least 12 months.  Additionally,

  • You must meet health and character requirements; but,
  • You do not need to prove your English language ability for this type of residence visa.

Partnership Visa (Partner not a New Zealand Citizen or Resident Visa Holder)

If you are a Partner of a Work Visa holder or Student visa holder who is not a New Zealander, you may be eligible for a work visa for the same duration as your partner’s work/student visa

  • You must satisfy Immigration New Zealand that your relationship is genuine and stable.
  • You must be of good character and in good health.

Note that right to work based on a partner visa is only available until April 2023 (exact date INZ pending) for partners of workers on in a ‘Green List’ occupation.

After this, a partner can apply to come to NZ but cannot work unless they secure a work visa on their own merit through an accredited employer.


Partnership Visa (New Zealand partner)

If you have lived together with a New Zealand partner for less than 12 months, you may be eligible for a work visa. The length of the work visa may depend on the amount of time you have lived with your New Zealand partner.

  • You must satisfy Immigration New Zealand that your relationship is genuine and stable.
  • You must provide evidence of the duration of the relationship
  • You must be of good character and in good health.

Contact us for help…

  • If you’re an employer  looking to bring in an overseas worker and need to know more about our services, you can call us at 0800 891 314
  • If you want to secure a position or obtain work eligibility,  you can contact us or fill out a quick form and we’ll contact you.  

If we can help you, we’ll contact you with our terms and all the relevant documents (as required under the Code of Conduct for Licensed Immigration Advisors by the Immigration Advisors Association of New Zealand).

Contact Us

8 Adelaide Street,
Auckland 1010. New Zealand

+64 21 711 071 | 0800 891 314

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