New Zealand Temporary Work Visa Guidelines

The New Zealand government offers various temporary work visas to meet different needs. Whether you are a skilled worker, a student, or the dependent partner of a worker, there is likely a work visa that suits your situation.

Read this guideline to discover which work visa is right for you, learn about the rules, and find out how to apply.

Table of contents

• New Zealand Temporary Work Visa Types and Requirements
• How to Apply for New Zealand Temporary Work Visa?
• Is it Possible to Apply for New Zealand Temporary Work Visa Online?
• New Zealand Visa Photo Requirements
• Get a New Zealand Visa Photo Online
• New Zealand Visa Photo App
• New Zealand Temporary Work Visa Fees

New Zealand Temporary Work Visa Types and Requirements

New Zealand offers several types of temporary work visas to fit different needs and situations. Most New Zealand temporary work visa requirements are that you must be at least 16 years old to qualify in most cases. Duration varies from 6 months to 4 years, depending on the visa type. These permits have different requirements and benefits, so find the one that fits your situation best:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
  • Requires a job offer from an accredited employer and relevant skills and qualifications for the job.
  • You must have the necessary skills and qualifications for the job.
  • Allows you to stay for up to 3 years.
• Entertainers Work Visa
  • Designed for professional performers and artists to work in New Zealand for a specific event or engagement.
  • You must have a confirmed event or engagement in New Zealand.
  • Typically requires an invitation or sponsorship from a New Zealand-based organization.
• Post-Study Work Visa
  • Allows graduates from New Zealand institutions to gain work experience after finishing their studies.
  • You must have completed a qualification in New Zealand that meets the requirements. The qualification must have been obtained within the past 3 months.
  • In some cases, you may need a job offer in your field of study.
• Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa
  • For work in viticulture (grape growing) and horticulture (plant growing).
  • Allows you to plant, maintain, harvest, and pack crops.
  • You need a job offer from a recognized seasonal employer in the viticulture or horticulture industries.
  • Age requirements can vary but usually require applicants to be at least 18 years old.
• Specific Purpose Work Visa
  • Issued for a specific purpose or event for a predetermined period.
  • Must demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and expertise for the project or event.
  • Suitable for individuals with specialized skills needed for short-term projects or events.
• Working Holiday Visa
  • For young people wanting to travel and work in New Zealand. Must be from a country that has a working holiday agreement with New Zealand.
  • Age range: 18–30 (or 35 for some countries).
  • Requires medical insurance and sufficient funds to support your stay.
  • Valid for 12 months (or 23 months for those from the UK or Canada).

How to Apply for New Zealand Temporary Work Visa?

Here is how to apply for New Zealand work visa:

• Choose the visa type that best suits your situation.
• Collect all necessary paperwork for your application.
• Submit your application: most visas can be applied for online through the Immigration New Zealand website. Some visas may require a paper application form.
• Pay the required fee when you submit your application.
• Immigration New Zealand will assess your application and supporting documents. If approved, you will receive your visa. If declined, you will be informed of the reasons.
• Activate your visa: If you are outside New Zealand, you can travel to the country once your visa is approved. If you are already in New Zealand, make sure you are on a valid visa when applying for a new one.

The processing time can vary from several weeks to months, depending on the visa type and your individual circumstances.

Is it Possible to Apply for New Zealand Temporary Work Visa Online?

Yes, you can apply for a New Zealand temporary work visa online. Most temporary visas can be obtained through the official Immigration New Zealand website. You will need to create an account using RealMe, upload the required documents, and pay the application fees.

New Zealand Visa Photo Requirements

When applying for a New Zealand visa, your photo needs to meet these criteria:

• For paper applications, New Zealand visa photo size must be 35 mm by 45 mm.
• For online applications, the photo dimensions should range from 900×1200 pixels to 2250×3000 pixels. The file size should be between 500 KB and 3 MB.
• Your face should be centered in the photo.
• The background should be light.
• The photo should be taken in good lighting and have natural colors.
• Wear plain clothes; avoid busy patterns.
• Hats are not allowed, but headscarves for religious reasons are acceptable as long as the oval of your face is visible.
• Look directly at the camera and do not smile.

Here is an example:

Get a New Zealand Visa Photo Online

Save time on your New Zealand visa application by getting your photo professionally done online with Visafoto.com. This trusted photo editing service boasts an impressive 99.7% approval rate. With Visafoto, you can get a picture guaranteed to be accepted without ever setting foot in a photo studio.

Simply snap a photo against a plain-white background and upload it to our tool. We take care of the format, background, sizes, and dimensions for you. You’ll receive both a digital copy for online applications and a print-ready version. If you’re not happy with the result, we offer a full refund.

First, take a photo of yours under daylight like this one:

You will have two types of photos: a digital one for electronic applications and another one suitable for printing.

Here they are:

New Zealand Visa Photo App

Meet the 7ID app, created by Visafoto. This handy app makes it a breeze to take and perfect your visa photo right from your iPhone or Android device.

With 7ID, just upload a photo, select your document type and country, and let the app handle the rest. It automatically adjusts your photo to meet official standards, taking care of size, format, background color, and ensuring your face and eye line are perfectly centered. You’ll get a digital file and a print-ready template.

For any questions, our technical support team is available 24/7 to assist you.

New Zealand Temporary Work Visa Fees

The fees for New Zealand temporary work visas differ based on the specific type of visa you are applying for:

Visa Type	Online Application Fee	Paper Application Fee
Accredited Employer Work Visa	NZD 750	N/A
Entertainers Work Visa	NZD 735	NZD 740–815
Post Study Work Visa	NZD 700	NZD 625–860
RSE Limited Visa	NZD 280–435	N/A
Specific Purpose Work Visa	NZD 735	NZD 620–745
Holiday temporary work visa New Zealand	NZD 455	N/A

Note: Visa fees and levies are increasing from 1 October 2024. For the most current temporary work visa New Zealand costs, please check the Fees page on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Speed up your New Zealand temporary work visa application with the help of Visafoto.com and 7ID App!