Moving to New Zealand from Nepal: Visa Guide

Every year a large number of Nepali nationals build a life in New Zealand through work, study, and family pathways. The pathway that fits you depends on your situation: whether you have a job offer, whether you plan to study first, and whether you are joining a partner already here. This guide maps the main routes from Nepal, and the documents Nepali applicants should start gathering early, because the timing of some of them decides how quickly you can lodge.

Work visas: the most common pathway from Nepal

For most working-age Nepali applicants, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the primary route. It is a job-led visa: you need a full-time job offer from an employer that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has accredited, in a role that pays at the market rate and meets the skill requirements for that occupation.

The AEWV had its biggest overhaul since launch across 2025. The median-wage test was replaced with a market-rate test, the work-experience requirement dropped, and police-certificate rules tightened. If you are weighing an AEWV, read our AEWV 2025-26 changes explained for the current detail.

If your occupation is on the Green List, you may have a faster route. See Green List occupations in New Zealand to check whether your role qualifies for a more direct residence pathway.

Studying in New Zealand, then working

Many Nepali students use study as the first step. You enrol with an approved education provider on a student visa, and on completion of an eligible qualification you may be able to apply for a post-study work visa that lets you work for an accredited employer and build the experience that later supports a residence application.

This route suits applicants who do not yet have a New Zealand job offer but have the funds and academic background to study here first.

Joining a partner or family in New Zealand

If your partner is a New Zealand citizen, resident, or an eligible work-visa holder, a partnership-based visa may let you live and work in New Zealand. The load-bearing element is evidence of a genuine and stable relationship, not paperwork volume. Our partnership visa guide sets out the evidence INZ looks for.

The pathway to residence

Temporary visas are usually a stepping stone. The main skilled-residence route is the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), a points-based system where points come from your skilled employment, qualifications, and occupational registration. Green List roles can offer a more direct residence pathway. Which route is realistic depends on your occupation, your qualifications, and how INZ recognises them, so it is worth assessing before you commit to a temporary visa.

What Nepali applicants should prepare early

Several requirements take weeks or months to satisfy. Starting them late is the most common cause of delay we see in Nepali cases.

• Police certificate from Nepal. Most work and residence applications require a police certificate for applicants aged 17 and over (for the AEWV, this applies when your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer). For the AEWV and visitor visas, INZ no longer accepts a receipt for a pending certificate at lodgement, so request your Nepal Police certificate well ahead of time, as it can take a while to obtain.
• English language evidence. Depending on the visa and your occupation’s skill level, you may need to evidence English, often through IELTS or another accepted test. Booking a test early avoids a bottleneck.
• Qualification recognition. New Zealand assesses overseas qualifications, commonly through an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment. Confirm how your Nepali qualification maps before you rely on it for points or skill level.
• Health requirements. A medical examination is generally needed for stays longer than 12 months. Separately, because Nepal is not classified by INZ as a low-incidence country for tuberculosis, Nepali applicants staying longer than 6 months are required to provide a chest x-ray. Use an INZ-approved panel physician.
• Document authentication and translation. Documents not in English need certified translations, and some need authentication. Build this into your timeline.

For the current, authoritative requirements and fees, always check immigration.govt.nz directly, since policy and pricing change.

Costs and processing times

Costs include the INZ application fee, the Immigration Levy, and the practical costs above (police certificate, English test, medical, translations). For how professional advisory fees work and what they cover, see our fee structure. Processing times vary by visa type, by how complete the application is at lodgement, and by INZ’s current queues. A well-prepared application that meets the requirements on the first pass is the most reliable way to avoid avoidable delay.

How ProVisas helps clients applying from Nepal

ProVisas is an IAA-licensed New Zealand immigration advisory firm. We assess your situation against current INZ policy, identify the realistic pathway, and prepare your application to meet INZ’s requirements. We will not promise an outcome. We will tell you what is possible, what is not, and where the risks sit, before you spend money on an application.

Book a consultation · Check your eligibility · Read our engagement letter framework

Frequently asked questions

What visa do I need to work in New Zealand from Nepal?

For most applicants the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main route. It requires a full-time job offer from an INZ-accredited employer in a role that meets the pay and skill requirements. If your occupation is on the Green List, a more direct residence pathway may be available.

Can I move to New Zealand from Nepal without a job offer?

Yes, through other routes. Common options without a job offer are studying on a student visa first (then applying for a post-study work visa), or a partnership-based visa if you have an eligible partner in New Zealand. The skilled work route (AEWV), however, does require a job offer.

Do I need IELTS to move to New Zealand from Nepal?

Often, but not always. English-language evidence requirements depend on the visa and, for work visas, on the skill level of the occupation. Some pathways require a test such as IELTS; others accept alternative evidence. Confirm the requirement for your specific visa before booking.

Do I need a police certificate from Nepal?

Yes. Most work and residence applications require a police certificate for applicants aged 17 and over (for the AEWV, when your total stay will be 24 months or longer). For the AEWV and visitor visas, INZ no longer accepts a receipt for a pending certificate at lodgement, so request your Nepal Police certificate early, as it can take time to obtain.

How long does it take to move to New Zealand from Nepal?

It depends on the visa type, how complete your application is when lodged, and INZ’s current processing queues. The biggest controllable factor is preparation: police certificates, English tests, qualification assessments, and medicals all take lead time, so starting them early is what shortens the overall timeline.