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Employer-assisted work visa: process worksheet

A general outline of how an employer-assisted work visa usually works, including the published employer and job checks that generally happen before a person applies. It is background information you organise for yourself, not advice about your own situation.

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1. Step 1. Employer accreditation (an employer step)

   The published process generally requires the employer to hold Immigration New Zealand accreditation. This step is done by the employer, not by the visa applicant.

   Indicative phase: Done by the employer, before the visa application

2. Step 2. Job check (an employer step)

   The role generally needs to pass a published job check (which can include advertising the role where required) before a person applies. This is also done by the employer.

   Indicative phase: Done by the employer, before the visa application

3. Step 3. Count the published checks with the self-check tool

   Use the readiness self-check to count how many of the published checks the situation you enter appears to meet. It is a self-count, not an assessment of your eligibility.

   Indicative phase: Preparation: at your own pace · Open the tool

4. Step 4. Gather the applicant's documents

   Collect the categories of documents the published guidance describes for the applicant (identity, the job offer, and evidence that meets the published requirements). Confirm the exact list with Immigration New Zealand.

   Indicative phase: Preparation: at your own pace · Open the tool

5. Step 5. Submit the visa application

   The applicant submits the work visa application through the published process with the required evidence and fees.

   Indicative phase: A clear task once your evidence is ready

6. Step 6. Receive the decision

   Immigration New Zealand assesses and decides the application. Processing times vary; check current times on the official page.

   Indicative phase: See the INZ published processing times