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New Zealand Work Visa for Indians

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Home / International Travel Insurance / Visa / New Zealand Work Visa for Indians

Are you planning to settle in New Zealand? Awesome! New Zealand has emerged as among the preferred destinations for employment that offers business regulations. In this blog, we have put together everything you need to know regarding your work visa application to this country.

So read further to know about New Zealand work visa for Indians along with its types, validity, application process and other essential details.

What is a New Zealand Work Visa for Indians?
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A New Zealand work visa for Indians is a mandatory requirement for individuals who wish to work in New Zealand for companies or engage in business activities. With a New Zealand work visa, you can enter the geographical area of the country and work with one of the companies located there.

So, you must have a New Zealand work visa for Indians if you have a confirmed job offer from the country. However, you must be aware of the immigration procedures and work visa applications before settling in New Zealand for employment.

Types of New Zealand Work Visa for Indians
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New Zealand offers several types of work visas that are categorised based on specific purposes of work. However, a New Zealand work visa for Indians can only be issued if you have confirmed employment with one of the companies located in New Zealand. 

Hence, given below are the types of New Zealand work visas:

Work to Residence Visa
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A Work to Residence visa is issued for individuals who want to visit New Zealand for employment. They can apply for residence in the country with the help of this type of work visa. However, you need at least 24 months of experience in a job to apply for it. 

Entrepreneur Visa
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An entrepreneur visa is granted to applicants who wish to establish their business in New Zealand. This type of visa allows you to include your dependent children if they are under the age of 19.

Essential Skills Work Visa
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An essential skills work visa is granted to those individuals who have the skills that belong to the most sought-after domains in New Zealand. However, in this case, the occupation you are opting for must be included in the skills shortage list issued by the New Zealand government.

Working Holiday Visa
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Newland offers a working holiday visa to some countries that allows individuals to visit the country to seek employment and study without meeting any salary requirements.

Skilled Migrant Resident Visa
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A skilled migrant resident visa is issued for those individuals who want to work and settle in New Zealand permanently. You can apply for this visa with a confirmed job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand.

Post-Study Work Visa
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You can apply for a post-study work visa after completing an existing course in your native country. This type of visa allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years, depending on the length and level of your course.

Validity of New Zealand Work Visa for Indians
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Given below is a table providing detailed information regarding the same.

New Zealand Work Visa Types

Validity of Visa

Duration

Work to Residence Visa

2 years

2 years

Entrepreneur Visa

3 years

1-3 years 

Essential Skills Work Visa

Maximum 3 years, depending on the job role.

2-3 years

Working Holiday Visa

1 year

1 year

Skilled Migrant Resident Visa

2 years, can be extended to a permanent one.

Can be extended to permanent.

Post-Study Work Visa

3 years

3 years, depending on the course studied.

Fees of New Zealand Work Visa for Indians
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New Zealand work visa cost for Indians is calculated based on various points, which include the type of work visa you are applying for, the duration of your stay in the country etc. 

So, given below is a comprehensive table mentioning the New Zealand work visa fees for Indians according to the types of visas available.

Type of Visa

Validity

Duration 

Fees for Indians

Work to Residence Visa

2 years

2 years

NZ$580 or Rs. 29,960.36  (as per the exchange rate)

Entrepreneur Visa

3 years

1-3 years 

NZ$3310 or Rs. 1,70,980.66 (as per the exchange rate)

Essential Skills Work Visa

Maximum 3 years, depending on the job role.

2-3 years

NZ$440 or Rs. 22,719.82 (as per the exchange rate)

Working Holiday Visa

1 year

1 year

NZ$190 or Rs. 9,813.08 (as per the exchange rate)

Skilled Migrant Resident Visa

2 years, can be extended to a permanent one.

Can be extended to permanent.

NZ$2505 or Rs. 1,29,377.71 (as per the exchange rate)

Post-Study Work Visa

3 years

3 years, depending on the course studied.

NZ$495 or Rs. 25,561.15 (as per the exchange rate)

It is important to note that the fees mentioned above depend on the current exchange rate and, hence, are subject to change. So you must ensure you check the fees before you apply for a New Zealand work visa.

Eligibility of New Zealand Work Visa for Indians
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There are a few parameters that you need to fulfil to be able to apply for a work visa for Indians in New Zealand. So make sure to consider reading these before you begin with your work visa application process. Given below is a list of eligibility criteria:

Documents Required for Work Visa for Indians
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The following are some of the New Zealand work visa requirements for Indian citizens, based on the different types of New Zealand work visas for Indians:

Standard Documents Required for All Types of New Zealand Work Visa

Documents Required for Work to Residence Visa

Given below are the documents required for this type of New Zealand work visa for Indians:

Documents Required for Entrepreneur Visa

Given below are the documents required for this type of New Zealand work visa for Indians:

Documents Required for Essential Skills Work Visa

Given below are the documents required for this type of New Zealand work visa for Indians:

Documents Required for Working Holiday Visa

Given below are the documents required for this type of New Zealand work visa for Indians:

Documents Required for Skilled Migrant Resident Visa

Given below are the documents required for this type of New Zealand work visa for Indians:

Documents Required for Post-Study Work Visa

Given below are the documents required for this type of New Zealand work visa for Indians:

Photograph Requirements 

Given below are the photograph requirements to apply for a New Zealand work visa:

How to Apply for a New Zealand Work Visa for Indians?
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There are two ways in which you can apply for your work visa in New Zealand - Online and offline. After you are aware of the eligibility criteria and documents required for the New Zealand work visa process for Indians to work there, you can proceed in either of the ways to apply for the same, following the given steps:

Online Process
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Online Process

Step 1: After you have a confirmed job offer in New Zealand, visit the official website of New Zealand Immigration.

Step 2: At this stage, you need to select the visa type you would like to go for.

Step 3: Confirm that you have a job offer in New Zealand.

Step 4: Put in other details as required, including your passport details.

Step 5: Upload the necessary documents and submit them.

The said authority will be processing your work visa application, after which you will be notified about the status of your application. You can also track the status through your reference number by visiting the website.

Offline Process
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Step 1: After you have a confirmed job offer in New Zealand, visit the official website of New Zealand Immigration.

Step 2: Select the visa type as a work visa, fill in as required and download it.

Step 3: Visit the nearest New Zealand Immigration Centre and submit the work visa application form, paying the application fee.

You may need to book an appointment for an interview. You can contact the Immigration Centre to confirm such essential details as you proceed with your application.

Processing Time for New Zealand Work Visa for Indians
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The minimum processing time for a New Zealand work visa for Indians is around 21 to 67 days. However, it can also take up to 7 months of processing time in certain cases of visa application, based on various factors. So you must contact your visa agent or the New Zealand immigration centre to ensure the same.

Difference Between New Zealand Work Visa and New Zealand Work Permit
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You must be aware of the difference between a work visa and a New Zealand work permit visa for Indians that is offered to prospective employees of New Zealand. Often used interchangeably, these two differ a bit in certain points, as given in the following table:

Point of Difference

Work Visa

Work Permit

Salary

Has a minimum salary requirement.

Does not have any salary requirements to meet.

Job Change Opportunities

Has more flexibility. In case you lose your job, you can apply for a short-term visit pass to stay in the country for a little longer.

New Zealand work permits for Indians do not offer such flexibility.

Processing time

Slower than permitted

Faster

Duration

Depends on various factors including employment duration etc.

Maximum 2 years

Why Does a New Zealand Work Visa for Indians Get Rejected?
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There are certain circumstances which can lead to the rejection of your visa application during the process. So read the following points to ensure a successful approval of the same. 

What to Do If My Work Visa for Indians Get Rejected?
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If your New Zealand work visa for Indians gets rejected, you can refer to the following tips given below to rectify your mistakes. These tips shall help you deal with such circumstances.

  1. You can reapply for a New Zealand work visa for Indians within 15 days of its rejection. You can follow the same procedure to reapply, however, you need to ensure not repeating the mistakes you made in your previous application.

  2. You can also contact the New Zealand Embassy or Consulate in India within 15 days of your visa rejection to confirm the reasons for your visa rejection.

  3. You must ensure uploading all the required documents along with your recent photograph,  following the latest guidelines for filing a New Zealand.

  4. You must provide a completely filled visa application form not leaving any blank spaces, and double-check all the information you fill in the form.

Final Words
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Overall, If you know about the visa requirements and essentials beforehand, you can have a successful application process for a New Zealand work visa for Indians. It will also help you create a stress-free settlement plan in the county. Make sure to follow the necessary guidelines while making your work visa application and consider the points mentioned in the article. Also, remember to apply for your visa well in advance to avoid any unnecessary delays.

If you are wondering for advice, buy travel insurance when you are planning your employment in a foreign country. Travel insurance is a great way to have a convenient travel experience since it covers any kind of losses that you may face travelling, such as loss of baggage, passport or cancellations of ticket.

So, go for travel insurance today and get ready to have an effective working experience in New Zealand.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Given below are some of the commonly asked questions regarding New Zealand work visa for Indians:

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Is it possible to get a New Zealand work visa for Indians without a job in the country?

It is possible to get a New Zealand work visa for Indians without a job offer from the country depending on the type of work visa you are applying for. For example, a job offer from New Zealand is not mandatory if you are applying for a post-study work visa. However, you will need a job offer, if you wish to get a working holiday visa.

Is there any requirement to pass IELTS for India to New Zealand work visa?

Yes, you need to get the minimum score in IELTS as set by the New Zealand Government. The test is considered evidence of your level of proficiency in English, which would help you communicate in the country.

Can I get a refund if my New Zealand work visa gets rejected?

No, it is non-refundable and, hence, will not be refunded if your visa application is rejected on any grounds whatsoever.

Is it compulsory to buy travel insurance for a work visa in New Zealand for Indians?

No, it is not mandatory, but is highly recommended to buy travel insurance to let you have a hassle-free travelling experience.

How can I extend the validity of my New Zealand work visa for Indians?

It is not possible to extend the validity of your New Zealand work visa for Indians. However, if you wish to stay longer in the country, you need to apply for a fresh visa that would allow you a temporary stay.

How early should I apply for a New Zealand work visa for Indians?

Even if you get a shorter period for visa processing, you must apply at least one to two months before your due travel date. The earliest you can apply is 30 days before your due travel date. It will ensure avoiding any circumstances causing delays in approving your visa application.

What can I do if I lose my job within the validity period of my New Zealand work visa for Indians?

You can apply for a Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa through which you will be able to stay in the country as a visitor.

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