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New Zealand · Work

New Zealand Essential Skills Work Visa

12 facts quoted from the official source

This visa was for people who had a job offer for a role that could not be filled by New Zealanders. It closed to new applicants on 4 July 2022.

Savings required
NZD 43,322.76
the lowest published threshold
Can bring
dependants, children
from the official record
Requirements
6
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

6 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Employment, placement or host agreementYou must provide a copy of your employment agreement as evidence of your job offer. The employment agreement must include:
  • Job offer or appointmentThis visa was for people who had a job offer for a role that could not be filled by New Zealanders. It closed to new applicants on 4 July 2022.
  • Labour-market testThis visa was for people who had a job offer for a role that could not be filled by New Zealanders. It closed to new applicants on 4 July 2022.
  • Minimum salaryYour dependent children can apply for visas to study in New Zealand if you will be earning at least NZD $43,322.76.checked 2026-07-27
  • Qualifications or professional authorisationApplicants had to meet the qualifications and work experience requirements of the offered occupation. This visa closed to new applicants on 4 July 2022.checked 2026-08-06
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Passport or travel-document requirementIf you apply online, you must upload a copy of your passport when you apply. We will let you know if you need to send your passport after you have applied.
What rules you out

1 exclusion quoted from the official source.

  • Material restrictions or case-specific conditionsClosed CLOSED This visa closed permanently on 4 July 2022.
Also stated by the source
  • Dependent-family rightsYour dependent children can apply for visas to study in New Zealand if you will be earning at least NZD $43,322.76.checked 2026-07-27
  • Work rightswork in New Zealand in a job that an employer offers you; study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period or do any study required as part of your employment.
Family

Who you can bring

dependantschildren
  • Dependent-family rightsYour dependent children can apply for visas to study in New Zealand if you will be earning at least NZD $43,322.76.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Government feeFrom NZD $1355checked 2026-07-27
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Initial duration or stay ceilingUp to 3 years
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every New Zealand route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to New Zealand?
The official source states: This visa was for people who had a job offer for a role that could not be filled by New Zealanders. It closed to new applicants on 4 July 2022.
02How much money do I need?
The lowest published threshold is NZD 43,322.76 (savings), from the official record.
03Can I bring my family?
The official record lists: dependants, children.

Every answer is quoted from the official immigration.govt.nz page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 12 points against the official source; 12 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source immigration.govt.nzLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this New Zealand government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
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Same category, elsewhere

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Does this route fit your numbers?

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