Your go-to Guide to Working in New Zealand

What do you look for when you plan on moving to another country for work? Job opportunities? Standard of living? Safety? Or maybe the weather and stunning landscapes. New Zealand has all of this but also the number one priority for migrants – a simplified immigration process. The country has several visa options available for potential migrants. If you’re confused or simply overwhelmed with all the information available on the process, you’re in the right place. This article helps answer most of your visa woes.

We’ll also briefly introduce Wise, an international money transfer services provider specialising in international money transfers that can help you save money if you’re sending some of your salary back home.⁴

Learn more about Wise

Do South Africans need a work visa/permit for a job in New Zealand?

Yes, South Africans need a visa to work in or visit New Zealand. Applying for a visa to New Zealand while thoroughly documented on government websites can be a daunting process. If you aren’t careful and thorough your application may be rejected resulting in wasted time, money, and effort. The best way to avoid this is to be well prepared. For this it is important you understand the type of visa you would be eligible for and the requirements it entails. We discuss these in the following section.

Are there different types of permits/visas?

For workers from South Africa looking at New Zealand as a potential employment destination the following visa route are available⁵:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa

• Entertainers Work Visa

• Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa

• New Zealand Diplomatic Visa

• New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

• Post Study Work Visa

• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

• Specific Purpose Work Visa

• Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa

• Working Holidaymaker Extension

• Accredited Employer Work Visa:

This is a temporary visa that allows you to start employment in New Zealand. Application to this visa is only possible if you have a job offer from an Accredited Employer.

• Entertainers Work Visa:

This route lets you work in the video, film, or production industry in the country. You are eligible for this visa if you possess specific skills and experience that the entertainment industry of New Zealand requires. Apart from the basic documentation you also need an offer for work in the entertainment industry of New Zealand.

• Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa:

This visa is for you if you have worked for over two years in New Zealand with a Long-Term Work visa. You must be in the country when you apply, and when you are given permission, you can work and study whatever you like.

• New Zealand Diplomatic Visa:

You can apply for this visa if you are a domestic worker for diplomatic, consular, or official staff posted in New Zealand. The application needs to be backed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

• New Zealand Working Holiday Visa:

The Working Holiday NZ visa enables young people all over the world to travel to New Zealand and work there. The country has agreements with 45 countries to work with the Working Holiday Program including South Africa.

• Post Study Work Visa:

This visa allows you to work in New Zealand for three years if you have recently completed your education in New Zealand.

• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa:

This type of visa permits skilled workers to obtain NZ permanent residency. It is specially designed for individuals who possess the skills, qualifications, and work experience that are in high demand in the New Zealand labour market.

• Specific Purpose Work Visa:

This route lets you visit New Zealand for a particular reason or objective. You are allowed to remain in the country for the duration needed to complete your specific purpose.

• Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa:

If you have been employed by an accredited employer in New Zealand for a period above two years, you meet the eligibility criteria for this visa.

• Working Holidaymaker Extension:

If your Working Holiday visa is about to expire and you want to continue working in New Zealand, you can apply for the Working Holidaymaker Extension visa which allows you to stay in the country for 3 months more.

Work opportunities in New Zealand?

Being a thriving economy, the country has several job opportunities available. Popular job portals in the country include TradeMe, Seek, Indeed, and Jora. We have listed popular jobs in the country along with the average salaries in the table below:

Designation6	Salary in USD	Salary in ZAR
Attorney	84047.00	1588488.3
Surgeon	204465.00	3864388.5
UX Designer	102882.00	1944469.8
Accountant	76803.00	1451576.7
Data Analyst	84885.00	1604326.5
Content Marketer	65000.00	1228500
Nurse	74384.00	1405857.6
Teacher	75000.00	1417500

Another factor often considered is the ease of sending money back home to South Africa. Fortunately, Wise has you covered on that front. Wise can help South African expats living in New Zealand save money when making international payments to South Africa.

Send money to South Africa from New Zealand using the mid-market rate

If you’re a South African expat living in New Zealand, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.

Although the majority of New Zealand banks allow expats to make international transactions, they normally add a markup onto the mid-market exchange rate, meaning you end up paying more for your transfer.

The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:

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Wise customers don’t pay any additional markup fee but only a transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!

With Wise, South African expats may save money¹ when making international payments from New Zealand to South Africa.

Join Wise!

What is the process when applying for a work visa in New Zealand for South Africans?

The overall visa application process is similar for all visa routes. However, each route has its unique requirements that you will need to be aware of and prepared for. The process broadly comprises the following steps⁷:

• Collate necessary documentation as per visa requirements (discussed further in a later section)
• Complete visa application form on Immigration New Zealand website (you may receive an email that contains the link to the application)
• Upload all the required documents as well as any additional information needed
• Pay visa fees
• Hit submit and wait to hear back from INZ
• Attend an interview (this may be needed for some visa types)
• Wait for approval (if approved your passport will be returned with a sticker on it)

What is the processing time?

Visa Type5	Average Processing Time
Accredited Employer Work Visa	51 days
Entertainers Work Visa	16 days
Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa	5 months
New Zealand Diplomatic Visa	49 days
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa	36 days
Post Study Work Visa	34 days
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa	Not defined
Specific Purpose Work Visa	Within a week
Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa	26 months
Working Holidaymaker Extension	36 days

Do I need a residence permit/ visa for New Zealand before applying for a work visa/permit?

No, you do not need a pre-existing residence permit or visa to apply for a work visa. However, you can work in New Zealand without specifically obtaining a work visa if you are currently on another type of visa. More information on this can be found on the New Zealand government website.

What is the total cost for applying for a work visa for New Zealand for South Africans?

Visa Type5	Fees in NZ $	Fees in ZAR
Accredited Employer Work Visa	750	8588
Entertainers Work Visa	735	8416
Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa	4240	48553
New Zealand Diplomatic Visa	635 - 775	7271 - 8874
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa	455	5210
Post Study Work Visa	700	8015
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa	4890	55996
Specific Purpose Work Visa	735	8416
Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa	4240	48553
Working Holidaymaker Extension	210 - 495	2404 - 5668

What are the application requirements for South Africans?

New Zealand has a thriving economy which indicates that there is a wealth of opportunities when it comes to jobs across different sectors. There is also high demand for skilled workers making it simpler for trained professionals to find work there. But what all do you need to have in place to make the move? We dive a bit into that in this section.

Do employers provide sponsorship for working in New Zealand?

Yes, employers can sponsor applications for work permits. To do so, however, they must be a New Zealand registered organisation.

What are the required documents?

For any visa the most important document is a valid passport.

Other documents like an employment letter, bank statements, medical certificates are also. Broadly the list contains but is not limited to the following⁷:

• Original valid passport
• A recent photograph as per visa requirements
• Police certificate (character proof)
• Job offer from an employer in New Zealand
• Evidence that you meet the job requirements
• Occupational registration (if registration is necessary; for example, doctors, nurses, etc)

Additionally South Africans may also need medical certificates such as a negative TB test report and may also be asked to present financial documents in certain cases.

Working as a student in Zealand⁸

Can students work part-time in New Zealand?

Students can work up to 20 hours a week if they’re on a full-time course that:

• 2 academic years in duration
• New Zealand qualification at Level 4 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), or
• is at least 1 academic year long and is part of an approved tertiary student exchange scheme.

Are students allowed full-time work in New Zealand?

Students in New Zealand can work full-time during breaks if the following apply:

• Full-time course for at least 1 year
• 120 credits; minimum on course
• Course has 2 semesters during at least 8 months.

Can you work in New Zealand after completing your higher education there (already have a study visa)?

You must only take up work as per your visa's work conditions — even if your course ends and your visa is still valid.

If your course has ended and your visa says you can:

• work 20 hours per week, then you must only work for this long until your visa expires
• work full-time over the summer vacation — then you must only work during this time and only while your visa is still valid.

Is there a need for a new visa/work visa?

Yes, you will need to apply for a new work visa once your current visa expires.

Work Visa for spouse/family members in New Zealand⁹

Can I invite my spouse if I already have a residence permit + work visa in New Zealand?

Most types of work visas allow you to support visas for your partner and dependent children, but there are some restrictions. With your work visa, you can normally support the following visas for your partner and dependent children:

• a work visa for your partner
• a visitor visa for your partner or your children
• a student visa for your children.
• Visas for your partner and children expire at the same time as your work visa.

What visa does my spouse need to apply for to join me in New Zealand? Is the process different?

The process is very similar; the only additional document needed would be your marriage certificate.

Working self-employed (as a freelancer) / Starting your own business in New Zealand¹⁰

You can also establish your business in New Zealand with the Entrepreneur Work Visa. You can stay 12 months in the start-up stage of your visa, then another 24 months once you have shown the government that you have set-up your business.

What documents are required to get a business visa in New Zealand?

The documents needed for the Entrepreneur Work Visa are similar to other work visas with a few additions. We have listed them here:

• Original and photocopy of passport
• Medical Certificate
• Original Police Clearance Certificate
• Evidence of language skills
• Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
• Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Bank Statement
• Proof of assets
• Business Plan
• Two passport-size photos

Important processes to complete once you arrive in New Zealand

Once you have your visa, apply for an IRD number from Inland Revenue. You give this number to your employer when you start work and use it for all your New Zealand tax matters.

Is it worth moving to New Zealand from South Africa for work?

But is working in New Zealand truly worth all this trouble? Let’s weigh both the pros and cons of working in country:

Pros	Cons
Better job opportunities	High cost of living
High salaries	Extreme weather
Work/life balance	Isolated from the rest of the world
Free healthcare
Safety

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New Zealand emerges as an exciting destination for South Africans considering work abroad, boasting abundant job prospects and a straightforward immigration process. Navigating the visa options is manageable with proper understanding and preparation. The job market, showcased on popular portals, offers competitive salaries, fostering a promising standard of living. While the country's safety, work-life balance, and healthcare system are notable perks, it's essential to balance them with considerations like the cost of living and the unique weather. Overall, with optimism and a clear vision, embarking on a career adventure in New Zealand can be a fulfilling and enriching experience for South Africans seeking new horizons.

When it comes to managing your money while living in New Zealand, Wise is a great international money transfer services provider for making overseas payments from New Zealand to South Africa.⁴

Join Wise!

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Sources:

1. Please seeTerms of Use for your region or visit WiseFees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
2. Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
3. Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
4. Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
5. Types of work Visas in New Zealand
6. Popular Jobs in NZ
7. Application requirements
8. Working as a student in NZ
9. Work visa for spouse in NZ
10. Working as a self-employed individual