New Zealand Work Visa Types: The Full Map

NZ temporary work visas fall into two families: employer-tied (the visa names your employer, role and location: changes need approval) and open (work for almost anyone). Choosing the right entry visa determines how hard your later residence pathway will be.

1. AEWV: the mainstream employer-tied visa

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is the entry point for most skilled workers today. The mechanics:

Element	Rule (current 2026 settings)
Prerequisite	Full-time offer from an accredited employer; the employer completes a job check, then sends you the application link
Skill requirement	At least 2 years of relevant experience or a relevant qualification (reduced from 3 years in March 2025)
Pay	The general median-wage requirement was removed in March 2025: pay must meet the market rate and at least the minimum wage
English	Required for ANZSCO/NOL skill level 3–5 jobs (test result under 2 years old); not required for levels 1–2
Maximum continuous stay	5 years for level 1–3 jobs; 3 years for level 4–5
Family	Cannot be included in your application, but you may support separate partner/child visas (income thresholds below)
Changing employer	A Job Change must be approved before you start the new role

Income thresholds for supporting family (from 9 March 2026):

• Skill level 1–3 jobs supporting a partner: NZD $28.00/hour;
• Skill level 4–5 jobs: NZD $52.50/hour (1.5× the median wage);
• Green List jobs: NZD $35.00/hour.

Two structural shifts to know:

1. The NOL is replacing ANZSCO: the new National Occupation List already drives AEWV skill grading, but other visas (e.g. SMC) still use ANZSCO: check both lists for your occupation;
2. The maximum stay is a hard stop: after 5 (or 3) years you must spend time offshore before another AEWV. Treat the AEWV as a bridge to SMC, Green List or Work to Residence: not a destination.

2. Open work visas: the April 2026 rules

Open work visas are not tied to an employer, but from 20 April 2026 INZ split them into two explicit employment conditions:

Category 1 (any work allowed (employment, self-employment, sole trading, owning a business) but never employing others):

• Partner of a Worker / Student / New Zealander / Military work visas
• Post Study Work Visa

Category 2: must work for an employer (employment agreement or contract for services):

• All working holiday visas
• Migrant Exploitation Protection, victims of family violence / trafficking, and asylum seeker work visas

A common floor for both categories: no open work visa holder may employ other people (including indirectly through a business they own), and commercial sexual services are prohibited. Transitional protection lets existing holders continue until their current visa expires; renewals fall under the new rules.

Post Study Work Visa essentials:

• Apply after completing an eligible NZ qualification; valid for up to 3 years depending on the qualification level;
• Granted only once in a lifetime: a second degree does not get you another one;
• Choose your programme with the post-study residence pathway already in mind.

3. China-specific schemes

① China Working Holiday Visa

• 1,000 places a year; the 2026 scheme opened on 2 July 2026 and closes once full;
• Requirements: aged 18–30, PRC passport and living in China when applying, senior high school qualification verified by CSSD, an English test result (under 2 years old), NZD $4,200 in funds, full medical insurance, fee from NZD $770;
• Stay up to 12 months; no permanent jobs; 3 months of horticulture/viticulture work earns a 3-month extension;
• Once in a lifetime: even an unused grant counts.

② China Skilled Workers Visa

• A full-time offer for a role on the China skilled job list (which includes trades such as electricians);
• Up to 3 years, tied to the named occupation, employer and location;
• A useful alternative track to the AEWV for trades applicants.

③ China Special Work Visa

• Five occupations: Chinese chefs (200 places: currently full at the time of writing), traditional Chinese medicine practitioners (75), Mandarin teacher’s aides (300), Wushu martial arts coaches (25), and Chinese tourism specialists (200);
• Up to 3 years, with up to 3 months of study allowed; fee from NZD $1,355; 80% of applications decided within 9 weeks;
• After 3 years back in China, you can apply again.

4. Other types worth knowing

• Seasonal visas (folded into the AEWV framework from December 2025): the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (work up to 9 months a year, returnable for multiple seasons) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (up to 7 months), targeting horticulture and viticulture shortages;
• Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa: if you report exploitation while on an employer-tied visa, this open visa lets you leave the job quickly: reporting does not affect your immigration status;
• Partner work visas: available when your partner is a NZ citizen/resident or holds an eligible work or student visa: see our partner and children guide.

Which one fits you?

Your situation	First choice
Skilled, with a job offer	AEWV: plan SMC / Green List in parallel
18–30, want to explore first	China WHV (watch the July opening)
Trades occupation (e.g. electrician)	Assess AEWV and China Skilled Workers Visa together
Chef / TCM / Mandarin aide etc.	China Special Work Visa (check quota availability)
Fresh NZ graduate	PSWV (once per lifetime: time it carefully)

Visa settings change frequently: always confirm current requirements on the INZ website before applying.