The main objective of the New Zealand Work Visa is to contribute to the development of the industry and economy of the country by attracting skilled people from all across the world. There are two options under this:

• Work to Resident – This category allows individuals wishing to permanently settle in the country to upgrade their temporary work visa to a permanent resident visa.
• Employment – This category allows New Zealand employers to hire skilled foreign workers for vacant positions that no local workers can fulfill.

In a fast-developing country like New Zealand, there is a constant need for highly educated and skilled workers in all sectors of the economy. To facilitate the growing demand for skilled workers, the department of Immigration New Zealand has streamlined a skilled migrant visa category.

The Skilled Migrant Category offers skilled workers from all over the world an opportunity to New Zealand to work and gain Permanent Residence. To be eligible to apply under the Skilled Migrant visa category, an individual must meet the essential eligibility criteria. You must: –

• be between the age bracket of 22 (should be 20) to 55 years.
• be fit and healthy.
• be of good character with no terrorist or criminal records,
• have proficiency in English, and 
• be registered with an appropriate professional body of your occupation.

The Government of New Zealand encourages international students to study in their universities and colleges. Along with their studies, the students can also work up to 20 hours a week. Students, who have completed the requisite qualifications and meet the permanent resident criteria, can apply for a work permit and/or permanent residency after completing their studies.

A robust education system coupled with a low cost of living is something New Zealand manages to strike a balance between effectively. It is a country that attracts thousands of international students every year. New Zealand has certain qualities embedded in its education system and destination strengths that are unique to the country, chief among which is the reputation for academic excellence that the records have backed.

It isn’t surprising that the country has emerged as one of the most sought-after education destinations for international students. The New Zealand study visa is easy to get if the student qualifies for the educational requirement.

Fast Facts – New Zealand

• IELTS
• 50-55% marks required
• Good spoken English required
• High Visa probability
• Excellent pay during job training
• Excellent job prospects after the course
• Intakes almost every month
• Work off-campus for 20 hours per week during studies
• High possibility of getting Permanent Residency
• Government helping in a settlement in South New Zealand

Tuition Fee

The tuition Fee per year is NZ $ 16000-18000 approximately. Visa Office Fee for a student is extra. The annual college/university fee is not required to be paid in advance, and the quality of education is excellent. The fee can vary from program to program and is still lower than in other destinations.

Part-Time Work

The students are permitted to work 20 hours off-campus every week. The average cost of living is 15,000 NZ$ per annum, and it is easy for students to find part-time work with 16.50 $ per hour earning capability.

Adult minimum wage

The adult minimum wage rate for employees aged 16 years or older is $21.20 an hour before tax.

Post-Study Work Rights for International Students

• To remove the employer-assisted post-study work visas at all levels;
• To provide a one-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications, with an additional year for Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body;
• To provide a two-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications outside Auckland, provided study is completed by December 2021, at which point the entitlement for post-study work rights reverts to a one-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications with an additional year for Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body;
• To provide a three-year post-study open work visa for degree Level 7 or above qualifications; and
• To require international students studying Level 8 qualifications to be in an area specified on the Long Term Skills Shortage list in order for their partner to be eligible for an open work visa, and in turn, for the partners’ dependent children to be eligible for fee-free domestic schooling.

Jobs and Employment

Information Technology, MBA & Diploma in Business Management, Health Sciences, Hospitality Management, Graphics and Animation, Travel & Tourism, Nursing, Healthcare and many other sectors offer employment opportunities to professionals in New Zealand. The country has a meager unemployment rate, and the salaries and incentives are numerous for worthy people.

An amalgamation of an excellent working environment, comprehensive policy framework, high growth opportunities and diversified marketplace, New Zealand is among the most lucrative destinations for establishing a business or investing in an existing one. The Government of New Zealand has designed special business immigration visa categories that allow foreign entrepreneurs and investors to come to the nation and contribute significantly to the country’s economy.

There are mainly three types of visas that Immigration New Zealand offers under the business visa category. These are:-

• Investor Visa
• Entrepreneur Work Visa.
• Employees of Relocating Businesses

Entrepreneur Work Visa

Entrepreneur Work Visa is meant for those who wish to run their own business in New Zealand. Applicants of this category can also apply for an Entrepreneur Residence Visa once they have successfully run their businesses for a minimum of two years (or 6 months in case they meet the extra conditions).

On the other hand, individuals already on a Long Term Business Visa (LTBV) can apply for permanent residency in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Residence Category.

The basic requirements under this category are as follows:-

• A minimum capital investment of 100000 NZD (apart from the working capital)
• Score 120 points or more on the points scale, with points awarded for factors about the likely success of the venture and its contribution to the economy of New Zealand.
• A clear business plan with satisfactory evidence demonstrating the sure-shot success of the business venture in New Zealand
• Clean recent history of bankruptcy, fraud and business failure
• Character certificate and medical reports
• A certificate (no more than two years old at the time of applying) from IELTS showcasing an overall band score of a minimum of 4 in the IELTS Academic and General Module or furnish evidence of an English-speaking background. However, IELTS is not compulsory.
• Minimum 05 years of Senior Management experience or business owner from last 03 years.

How the Entrepreneur Visa Works

An Entrepreneur Work Visa is a 3 year work visa that includes two stages

• Start-up stage
• Balance stage

The start-up Stage:

Under an Entrepreneur Work Visa, you will be given a 12-month work visa initially. This would enable you to buy and/ or establish your business in New Zealand. Work Visa can be extended up to 3 years by satisfying the visa officer.

The balance Stage:

Once you show the business migration branch that you have taken the appropriate steps to establish a business in New Zealand, you will receive approval for the remaining 24 months of your Entrepreneur Work Visa.

Examples of steps that can be shown to the business migration branch for this purpose include:

• Transferring capital for investment through the banking system
• Actions that you have taken to establish your business:
• documents that show the setting up of your business
• documents for property purchase or taking a lease for the business’ site
• invoices for equipment and supplies for your business
• Agreements of employment, bank statements, utility company invoices, etc.

To make an application for a Visitor’s Visa or Permit or a Limited Purpose Visa or Permit, you will need to supply the following:

• A completed, signed Application for Visiting New Zealand (NZIS 1017) formally a recent passport-size photograph.
• Evidence of your financial support while in New Zealand. It may:
  • NZ $1000 per each person for each month, or
  • NZ $400 for each person for each month if your accommodation is already paid (you will need to show evidence, such as prepaid hotel vouchers) evidence of funds can be in the form of traveller’s cheques, bank drafts, letters of credit or a bank statement in your name. Cash or credit cards may be accepted as evidence of funds.
• If you do not have the required funds, you will need a guarantee of accommodation and maintenance from a New Zealand citizen/resident friend or relative who lives in New Zealand and can be your sponsor. Your sponsor should complete the Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand (NZIS 1025).

For a Visitor’s Visa or Limited Purpose Visa, you may also be asked to supply the following:

• Evidence of onward travelling
• Guarantee of repatriation from a New Zealand citizen or resident friend or relative who lives in New Zealand and can be your sponsor. Your sponsor should complete the Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand (NZIS 1025) or
• Sufficient funds in New Zealand to purchase a ticket to a country to which you have the right of entry.
• Any other documents or information requested by a Visa/Immigration officer.

For a Visitor’s Permit or Limited Purpose Permit, you must also supply the following:

• Evidence of onward travel
• A valid ticket to a country to which you have right of entry, or
• A guarantee of repatriation from a New Zealand citizen or resident friend or relative who lives in New Zealand and can be your sponsor. Your sponsor should complete the Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand (NZIS 1025) or
• Sufficient funds in New Zealand to purchase a ticket to a country to which you have the right of entry.
• Any other documents or information requested by a Visa/Immigration Officer.

Special Provisions exist for:

• Dependent children travelling without parents or with one parent
• Spouses and de facto partners of New Zealand citizens and residents
• Visitors intending to marry New Zealand citizens or residents