Work Temporarily in NZ: Specific Purpose Work Visa Guide
Coming to New Zealand for specialised short-term work? The Specific Purpose Work Visa is for temporary work that doesn’t fit standard work visa categories, like religious workers, entertainers, sports professionals, or project-based assignments. We at Provisas will help you understand the requirements and prepare your application for your specific work situation.
01. Introduction
The Specific Purpose Work Visa allows you to work in New Zealand temporarily for a specific purpose or event. This visa covers situations that fall outside the Accredited Employer Work Visa, such as religious workers, entertainers, film crew, sports players and coaches, business people on secondments, and workers on specific projects like IT installations or machinery setup.
Each category has different requirements and conditions. The visa you need depends on your specific work purpose and how long you’ll be in New Zealand.
02. How long can you stay?
The length of stay depends on your work category and purpose:
- Religious workers: Up to three years
- Business people on secondments: Up to three years
- Sports players and coaches: Up to two years
- Project-based work: Duration of the project (varies)
- Film and entertainment crew: Duration of the production
Your visa will specify the exact conditions and duration based on your approved purpose.
03. Eligibility requirements
To qualify, you must:
Basic requirements:
- Have an invitation or job offer from a New Zealand organisation
- Meet health and character requirements
- Demonstrate your work purpose is genuine and temporary
- Show you have the skills or qualifications for the specific work
Important exclusions:
- If you’re an entertainment industry worker, you must apply for an Entertainers Work Visa instead (not a Specific Purpose Work Visa)
- Tour guides from China should apply for a China Special Work Visa
- If you’re on a guardian visitor visa, you’re not eligible for this visa
Family members: You cannot include your partner or dependent children in your Specific Purpose Work Visa application, but they can apply for their own visas based on their relationship to you.
04. Required documents
You’ll typically need:
- Valid passport
- Letter of invitation or job offer from your New Zealand sponsor
- Evidence of your qualifications, skills, or experience relevant to your work
- Proof of your specific purpose (event details, project documentation, etc.)
- Police certificates (if required based on length of stay)
- Medical certificates (if required based on length of stay and country of origin)
The exact documents vary significantly by work category. Our advisers can identify what Immigration New Zealand needs to see for your specific situation – talk to us.
How to apply: Applications are submitted online through Immigration New Zealand. Because this visa covers many different work categories with varying requirements, getting expert guidance helps ensure you apply for the correct category and provide appropriate documentation.
Processing time: Varies widely depending on your work category and individual circumstances. Applications can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Licensed advisers can assess which specific purpose category fits your situation, prepare your application properly, and identify any potential issues before submission.
Book a free consultation to discuss your specific work purpose and visa requirements.
