Work to Residence Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Visa

Work for an accredited employer and pave your path to New Zealand residency.

 What is this visa for?

This visa allows skilled professionals to work full-time in New Zealand for an Immigration NZ–accredited employer, where their specialised talent or skills are required. It also provides a pathway to residence, usually after working for 24 months in New Zealand under this visa.

 Who can apply?

You may qualify for a Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Visa if you:

Have a full-time job offer (30+ hours/week) from an accredited NZ employer


Are 55 years or younger
Meet health and character requirements
Apply on or before 31 October 2021 (or hold a current Talent visa applying for an extension – see below)
Meet the required minimum base salary ($79,560 per year)

 Job offer requirements

To be eligible, your job offer must:

  • Be from an INZ-accredited employer
  • Be in the employer’s core business (not a side or unrelated activity)
  • Be genuine, full-time, and for at least 24 months
  • Pay at least $79,560 per year (base salary, not including allowances or bonuses)
  • Comply with NZ employment laws (e.g., written agreement, holidays, health & safety)
  • Include registration evidence (if the role legally requires registration in NZ)

Employers must not appear on the MBIE’s list of non-compliant employers and must have a clean history with employment and immigration law.

 Exceptional Talent Waiver

If you have exceptional talent in art, culture, or sport and an offer in that field from an accredited employer, the salary requirement may be waived — but only if:

  • You have an international reputation and a proven record of excellence, and
  • Your presence in NZ will contribute to national achievements in that field.

 Deadline for applications

This visa is only available to applications submitted on or before 31 October 2021.
Applications after this date are not accepted, except for extensions (see below).

 Already on a Talent visa? Need more time?

You may apply for a further Talent Work Visa if:

  • You already hold a valid Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa; and
  • You have applied for residency under this pathway, and the decision is still pending; and
  • You still work for the same employer, and the role:
    • Pays at least $79,560 (as per the salary rules at the time of your original Talent visa)
    • Is for at least another 12 months

 The extension can be up to 24 months — just enough time to process your residence application.

 What documents do I need to apply?

  • A job offer letter from an accredited NZ employer
  • A completed INZ employment form
  • Proof of your qualifications, skills, and registrations
  • Medical and X-ray certificates (less than 3 months old)
  • Police certificates from your home country and any country you’ve lived in for 5+ years since turning 17
  • If applying under exceptional talent: proof of international recognition and impact in your field

 Important notes

  • Only applications made before 31 October 2021 are accepted for new Talent visas.
  • You can only work for the employer named in your visa — unless you apply for a variation of conditions.
  • The minimum base salary excludes allowances like overtime, housing, or insurance.
  • Your job must not only be long-term but also in the employer’s main line of business.

 What is an Accredited Employer?

An Accredited Employer is a company approved by Immigration NZ to hire skilled migrants under the Talent policy. They must prove they:

  • Are a genuine, compliant New Zealand business
  • Follow NZ employment and immigration laws
  • Are not on the non-compliance list

How we can help

At JD Immigration, we assist you with:

Checking employer accreditation
 Confirming your eligibility
 Preparing a complete and compliant application
 Guiding you toward permanent residency

Contact us now to get expert help with your Talent visa application or extension.