NZ Specific Purpose Visa: Stay Duration

The duration of your Specific Purpose Work Visa is intrinsically linked to the time deemed necessary to complete the specific work or event for which it is granted. Given the diverse nature of these ‘specific purposes’, the validity period for this visa can fluctuate considerably.

Can Family Members Join?

Please be advised that this particular visa category is designated solely for the applicant fulfilling the specific work purpose for which it is granted. Consequently, it does not provide a pathway for the inclusion of your partner or dependent children in the application. Your partner and dependent children may be eligible to apply for alternative visa categories that acknowledge your relationship with them.

NZ Specific Purpose Visa: Key Features

The purpose and features of the specific purpose visa are as follows:

• Specificity and Temporary Nature: This visa is specifically for individuals with a clearly defined purpose and a limited duration of stay in New Zealand.
• Distinct from General Work Visas: It is different from broader categories like the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), designed for general employment with accredited employers, and Working Holiday Visas, focused on cultural exchange with incidental work.
• Not a Pathway to Residence: Unlike visas linked to the Green List occupations, this visa is not intended as a route to permanent residency.
• Fills a Necessary Gap: It caters to legitimate and beneficial reasons for entering New Zealand that don’t fit the standard employer-sponsored framework or involve niche activities.
• Addresses Unique, Short-Term Requirements: Many qualifying purposes don't align with the AEWV requirements, such as officiating sports events, examining international teaching institutions, or installing specialised equipment.
• Accredited Employer Involvement Not Always Required: While some specific purposes (e.g., certain seasonal work) may involve an accredited employer, it's not a universal requirement, unlike the AEWV.
• Clear Demarcation of Scope: Immigration New Zealand directs individuals in specific sectors (e.g., the entertainment industry, tour guides from China) to alternative, more appropriate visa pathways like the Entertainers Work Visa or the China Special Work Visa. You can check out the NZ immigration website to have detailed information on these visa types.
• Aims to Prevent Misapplication and Streamline Processes: This clear guidance helps applicants choose the correct visa category, potentially reducing confusion and overlap.

Eligibility Requirements of the NZ Specific Purpose Visa

What are the specific purposes or events?

1. Seasonal Activity: You can apply if you are taking up roles related to seasonal peaks (e.g., in horticulture or viticulture). You'll need a job offer from an accredited employer paying at least the minimum wage for 30+ hours per week, along with proof of at least 4 months of relevant experience and the Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113).
2. Short-term Secondments: You can apply if you are a senior or specialist businessperson being seconded to a substantial New Zealand company or its subsidiary for a period of up to 12 months. Your application will require a compliant job offer; details of the secondment (duration, terms); proof of your senior or specialist status, the INZ 1113 form; and evidence of sufficient funds.
3. Business People being transferred: You can apply if you are an executive, senior manager, or specialist transferring within a multinational company to its New Zealand branch for a period of up to 3 years. You will need to provide a job offer, details of the transfer terms, proof of your position, and evidence of sufficient funds.
4. Business People in New Zealand for more than 3 months: You can apply if you are a businessperson undertaking legitimate business activities in New Zealand that require a stay longer than 3 months within a year (up to a total of 12 months). You'll need to provide evidence of the business reasons, the activities you will be undertaking, and the time required to complete your purpose.
5. Contractual services suppliers from the United Kingdom: You can apply if you are a United Kingdom national supplying services under a contract. You will need to hold a tertiary-level degree (at least 3 years in duration) and have a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience.
6. Independent professionals from the United Kingdom: You can apply if you are a United Kingdom national working as an independent professional. You will need to hold a degree or diploma (at least 3 years of post-secondary formal education) and have at least 6 years of relevant experience.
7. Contractual services suppliers and independent professionals from the European Union: You can apply if you are a national of a European Union member state supplying services under a contract or working as an independent professional. You will need to hold a tertiary-level degree (at least 3 years in duration) and have a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience.
8. Principal applicants investigating investment opportunities: You can apply for this visa if you're the main applicant exploring direct investments in New Zealand and have already received initial approval for an Investor 1, Investor 2, Parent Retirement, or Active Investor Plus Visa. Because of this prior approval, you won't need to submit any additional evidence with this application.
9. Principal applicants applying for an Entrepreneur Residence Visa: You can apply if you currently hold a valid Entrepreneur Work Visa or Long-Term Business Visa and are a principal applicant for an Entrepreneur Residence Visa, needing a visa (up to 9 months) while your residence application is being processed. You will need to provide proof of sufficient funds.
10. Referees or judges: You can apply if you are coming to New Zealand to officiate at sports events, shows, displays, or exhibitions as a referee or judge. You will need to provide an invitation or schedule of events detailing the duration of your involvement and evidence of sufficient funds.
11. Dance and music examiners: You can apply if you are employed by or officially representing a recognised international teaching institution and are travelling to New Zealand specifically to work as a dance and music examiner.
12. Installers or servicers: You can apply if you are coming to NZ to install or service specialised equipment bought from an overseas company; it's a purchase condition. Provide the purchase order showing this, plus proof of sufficient funds.
13. Sports players and professional sports coaches: You can apply if you are a sports player or professional sports coach taking up a paid position with a New Zealand sports club. A job offer is required. Professional coaches and players need to provide the INZ 1113 form. Non-professional players need to provide the terms of their engagement. The duration of the visa can be up to 12 months or 3 years.
14. People working in the entertainment industry: INZ generally directs these individuals to apply for an Entertainers Work Visa instead. Those granted entry under this purpose (potentially via the Entertainers Work Visa) can stay for the period of engagement.
15. Philippines nurses seeking occupational registration: You can apply if you are a nurse from the Philippines seeking occupational registration in New Zealand for a stay of up to 3 months to complete this process. You will need a job offer from a District Health Board, the completed INZ 1113 form, and evidence of your acceptance into the Nursing Council's Competence Assessment program.
16. Critical workers with a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa: You can apply if you currently hold a specific 12-month Critical Purpose Visitor Visa (CPVV) and are continuing in the same critical role with the same employer, earning at or above the median wage. You will need a letter from your employer confirming these details. Your total stay in New Zealand, including the time spent on the CPVV, can be up to 3 years.
17. Any other specific purpose or event: A catch-all category for purposes demonstrating skills/expertise beneficial to NZ, where no NZ citizen/resident is available. Requires evidence of the purpose, benefit to NZ, unavailability of NZers, job offer/INZ 1113 if employed, and proof of funds. Stay is typically up to 6 months.

Want to Apply for an NZ Specific Purpose Visa?

Steps involved in the application process are as follows:

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility: Ensure you meet all the criteria for the Specific Purpose Work Visa.

Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents: Collect all the required documentation to support your application.

Step 3: Submit Your Application:

• Generally, you can apply online through the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) application portals (often via a general 'Work visa' login).
• Paper applications may also be an option.

Step 4: Pay the applicable visa Fees: Crucially, the fees and payment methods vary depending on your country of citizenship or current location.

Step 5: Await INZ Decision: Allow processing time for Immigration New Zealand to review your application.

Step 6: Apply for Entry Permission (if approved): Upon arrival in New Zealand, complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).

Processing Time of the NZ Specific Purpose Visa

1. Typically, around 80% of New Zealand Specific Purpose Work Visa applications are finalised in approximately 3 weeks.
2. This time frame is an estimate; actual processing times can vary.
3. Factors influencing processing time include application complexity, your location, INZ's workload, and completeness of your documents.
4. It is wise to apply well in advance of your trip.
5. Check the official INZ website for the latest processing time updates.

NZD $1355: Specific Purpose Visa Cost

The standard application fee for the New Zealand Specific Purposes Work Visa starts at NZD $1355. This fee is the initial cost to lodge your application with Immigration New Zealand. Be aware that additional fees might apply depending on your specific circumstances and location.

Still Curious? More Insights on the NZ Specific Purpose Visa!

If my short-term project gets extended, can I extend my visa? Does having a job offer guarantee visa approval? What happens if my "specific purpose" is completed earlier than expected? Are there any age restrictions for applying for this visa? Can I switch to a different type of visa while in New Zealand with this one?