NewZealand - Employer Accreditation

As a New Zealand employer, you can apply to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for accreditation to offer employment to skilled workers from overseas. Once accredited, you can offer work to non-New Zealand citizens or residents without each time having to prove that there are no suitably qualified New Zealanders available or readily able to be trained to fill the position(s). These skilled workers are employed under the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Policy, and can become eligible for New Zealand residence after two years. 

Purpose of employer accreditation

The purpose of the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy is to facilitate your access as an employer to global skills and knowledge by making it easier for you to recruit talented workers from overseas where such skills are not available in New Zealand. The people recruited under this policy should have high skills levels, particularly in knowledge-based industries and other areas that will contribute to New Zealand’s economy. 

Making an application for employer accreditation (employer’s requirements)

The steps below outline how you should apply for initial employer accreditation: 
  1. Complete the Application for Employer Accreditation
  2. Along with this completed (and signed) application you will need to provide:
    • - evidence of your business record and financial position
    • - an organization chart showing the structure of the business
    • - evidence of the existing human resource policy and/or procedures
    • - evidence of training provided to your employees
    • - evidence of good workplace practice

    mmigration Department must be satisfied that the information and documents you provide are genuine and accurate, and may take any steps they consider necessary to verify information, including requesting additional evidence, scheduling an interview, or visiting company premises.

    3. In order for them to verify the employers’ compliance with immigration and employment laws, employers must consent to INZ seeking information about their business from the following agencies.
    • - Other service groups within the Department of Labour
    • - Accident Compensation Corporation
    • - Any relevant unions.
4. The initial application fee is NZ$1400 and must be paid with the application. You can pay by cheque or credit card. The fee for renewal of employer accreditation is NZ$400.

Requirements for offers of employment

Workers may be eligible for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa or Permit under the Work to Residence category if they have an acceptable offer of employment from an accredited New Zealand employer.

Offers of employment must be: 

  • - for employment in New Zealand in the accredited employer's core area of business activity and where the accredited employer will have direct responsibility for their work output;
  • - for a period of at least 24 months;
  • for full-time employment, (amounts to, on average, at least 30 hours per week);
  • - current at the time of assessing the application and at the time of issue of the visa and/or grant of the permit;
  • genuine;
  • - for a position with a minimum base salary of NZ$50,000 per annum (will be calculated based on 40 hours per week);
  • - accompanied by evidence of full or provisional occupational registration, or eligibility for such registration, if full or provisional registration is required by law to take up the offer;
  • - compliant with all relevant employment law in force in New Zealand 

To be acceptable, a job offer must also include: 

  • - the employer’s name, address and contact details
  • - the prospective employee’s name and address
  • - a full job description and person specification, covering:
  1. the job title or designation
  2. the address of the place of employment
  3. the type of work, duties and responsibilities of the job
  4. details of the pay and conditions of employment, such as sick or holiday leave
  5. qualifications and experience requirements
  6. confirmation of whether or not registration in New Zealand is required
  7. the duration of the job
  8. how long the job offer is open for

Requirements for employees

Workers from overseas may be eligible for a Talent (Accredited Employer) work visa or permit as a step towards residence if they have an offer of employment from an accredited New Zealand employer.  

To be eligible…

In addition to meeting their requirements for health and character the prospective employee needs to:
  • - be aged 55 or under
  • - hold a genuine offer of employment from an accredited employer, for employment that is:
  • - full-time; and
  • - for at least 24 months; and
  • - with an annual base salary of at least NZ$55,000 (based on 40 hours per week); and   
  • - in the employer’s main business activity, where they are directly responsible for the employee’s output.
They will also need to show them  that they are either fully or provisionally registered – if their occupation requires occupational registration in New Zealand.

Potential employees can lodge a Talent visa/permit application at their local offshore or onshore INZ branch.

When applying for a Talent permit, applicants (and dependants) will need to submit:
  • - a completed Application to Work in New Zealand. You need to clearly mark the front of the form with the words “TALENT VISA” to ensure that the application is given priority processing. If your partner and children are to be included, they also require the appropriate fees and forms to be completed.
  • - valid passport(s)
  • - the appropriate application fee(s). 
  • - a letter and employment agreement from your employer offering a position in New Zealand which should list the duties of the position, the length of the contract (must be 24 months or more), the base salary offered (must be at least $55,000 per annum), and any other form of remuneration, e.g. if accommodation is provided;
  • - evidence of full or provisional registration, if this is required by law to take up the offer of employment;
  • - a Certificate of Accreditation from your employer which will indicate to the overseas post that they are an Accredited Employer under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy;
  • - a medical and X-ray certificate less than three months old at the date of application;
  • - a police certificate not more than six months old, from your country of citizenship(s) and any country that you have lived for five years or more since the age of 17;
  • - if your partner and/or dependants are included, please provide evidence of relationship, i.e. full birth certificates, marriage certificate, and further evidence to confirm you are in a genuine and stable partnership.
  • - People whose applications are approved will be issued a Talent (Accredited Employer) work visa/permit valid for 30 months.