How to apply for a New Zealand Work Visa
By far the most popular category of immigration to New Zealand is the work visa. If you are interested in migrating to New Zealand the below article is all about how to apply for a New Zealand Work Visa.
We look at some of the basic steps you will need to take and how to start your journey to obtaining a work visa for New Zealand.
So what is the starting point in applying for a New Zealand Work visa?
There some very basic criteria that you need to meet in order to make an application for a New Zealand work visa.
Can you answer “yes” to the below questions:
- Are you under the age of 55?
- Is your English language ability good?
- Are you healthy and of good character?
If you can say “yes” to all of these then move on to the next step – Are you on the New Zealand Skilled Occupation lists?
The skilled occupations lists
When issuing work visas to New Zealand, as in most countries, balances the need to attract skilled migrants with occupations that are difficult to fill from the local labor force. To this end they publish skilled occupation lists.
To see if your occupation is on the New Zealand Skilled Shortage list you can visit a here.
If it is then it’s on to the next step in how to apply for your New Zealand Work Visa.
Getting assessed prior to making an application for a New Zealand Work Visa
Perhaps the most important step in your work visa application for New Zealand. Getting correctly assessed means:
- Not missing any opportunity that may qualify you for a work visa;
- Not wasting time and money when it unlikely that any expression of interest will result in an invitation to apply.
What is an assessment?
General skilled migration is based upon a points system. Applicants are judged against certain criteria such as qualifications and experience those results in a points score.
It is this point’s score that will dictate whether you qualify to make an expression of interest.
How many points must you get to apply for an expression of interest?
You need to obtain a score of at least 100 points. That said, scores at this level are rarely selected from the expression of interest pool and invited to apply for a work visa unless they have a job offer.
140 points scored means you will be selected.
What happens if you score between 100 and 140 points?
In this instance a conversation is needed as to the merits of submitting an expression of interest or whether to not. At Intergate Emigration we view each case on its merits and give you the information you require to make an informed decision.
If you score 140 points?
You will receive an invitation to apply.
This application will be time bound and in essence it is proving everything you submitted with your expression of interest and assessment. Deviations from the application and expression of interest assessment could well result in you being turned down.
Find if you qualify for a work visa of New Zealand
Book a consultation call with Sarah Hewitt, our licensed advisor, and you’ll find out if you meet the requirements to apply for a work visa
You’ll also discover how the application process works and what the costs and timelines are.
Our licensed advisor is registered with the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) of New Zealand, so you can rest assured that you’re getting advice you can trust.
