Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa

Some employers have approval from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to hire international workers as per the instructions laid down by the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa immigration program. If you have a full-time job offer from an “accredited” NZ employer, you may qualify for this work visa. We can help you with the process to get you working in the country quickly.

Request a call back from our immigration experts

Do you have a job offer for full-time employment from an “accredited” New Zealand employer? Can you prove that you have the skills needed to satisfy the job requirements? Are 55 years old or less? If you answered “yes” to all these questions, you may qualify for the NZ Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa also opens a path to residency after you have spent a specific time in the country, satisfying the terms of your visa. We can help you in the process of using this Talent Accredited “resident” visa to make New Zealand your home forever.

Who is an INZ Accredited Employer?

To be an INZ accredited employer, the following conditions need to be met; the employer must have:
  • A continued necessity of hiring international talent, and
  • Been pre-approved by the INZ to employ skilled international workers at their New Zealand location without first having to determine if any locals are available to fill the position
The accreditation is effective for 24 months, and the employer has to re-apply at the end of the validity period.
The Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa is a win-win for both the employee and the employer. In essence, the international worker enjoys the support of an “immigration aware” company, and the employer gets access to a much simpler hiring process.

What are the qualification criteria for Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa?

For this work visa, INZ will require you to provide evidence/documentation to verify the following items:
  • Identity
  • Good Character
  • Good Health
  • Age < 55 years
  • Genuine intent to satisfy the visa terms
  • Employment offer from an accredited New Zealand employer – they must be liable for your work; the offer must match the employer’s primary area of business, be good for more than 2 years, and pays > NZ$ 79,560
  • New Zealand occupation registration, if applicable
All this accreditation business and matching your skills to the job requirement is not to be taken lightly – mistakes in your application can prove to be costly and even lead to rejection of your Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa. Our qualified immigration experts can help you create a foolproof application, so you get your work visa hassle-free. Book an absolutely free consultation now.

What is the validity of Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa?

INZ allows you to live in New Zealand for up to 30 months on this work visa. However, you must stay employed with the employer who sponsored your visa and work in the location specified on your INZ approval.
You can undertake studies for 3 months in a 12 month-period and enter/exit the country any number of times while your visa is valid.
Also, you must come to New Zealand within 3 months of the approval of your Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa.
As for your partner and dependent children – this visa category does not allow you to make them part of your visa application. They will need to get their own visas by using the options available in the Partnership Based Visas and Visas for Dependent Children categories.
You can also apply for New Zealand residency after working with an accredited employer on this visa for 2 years, so this really becomes your Talent Accredited resident visa.

Your employer lost accreditation, now what?

It can be a pretty unnerving experience if your employer is unable to hold on their accreditation after your visa has been approved.
You do have some options – you can work for another accredited employer or get a variation of conditions to allow you to work for someone who may not be accredited by the INZ (however, there are specific conditions to be met before you can qualify).
If you are planning to (and you should) use the Talent Accredited resident visa to gain New Zealand residency, a lot needs to fall in place between the original application and you applying for your resident visa. First off, you need to get approved for the initial Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa. Then you have to ensure you satisfy all visa terms for the next 2 years. If your employer loses accreditation, more gets piled on your plate and so on.
You must work closely with a qualified immigration expert to guide you through the process. Do not let your immigration dream be spoiled for any reason. Some missteps or violations may even lead to deportation. Our licensed immigration advisers are right here, in Auckland – so you can visit us if you are in the area. Book a completely free consultation with our immigration consultants and see how we can help.

What time and money investment are needed to get a Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa?

You can expect INZ to process your Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa within 60 days.
Circumstances such as Medical Issues, Character Issues and mistakes in documentation may result in extended processing times or outright rejection in some cases.
Immigration Advisers NZ has a lot of experience in helping clients come out victorious in their Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa journey. You can trust us to work diligently towards your interest and get your visa quickly at the best possible price.
Book your 100% free consultation and see how we can help you meet your New Zealand immigration goals efficiently and cost-effectively.