New Zealand•Oceania1 month
NZD $1,355
Varies by filing options
Same duration as employer's visa
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Work visa for private domestic staff of diplomatic, consular or official personnel posted to New Zealand, requiring MFAT support.
The Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa lets private household workers — cooks, nannies, drivers, gardeners — accompany a diplomatic, consular, or official staff member posted to New Zealand. It is administered by Immigration New Zealand under Work Instructions WI4 and requires Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) support.
Applicants must be 18 or older and employed solely for domestic work. The employer signs a Statement of Undertaking covering accommodation, living costs, and return travel. The fee is NZD $1,355; processing takes around 9.5 weeks for 80% of applications. The visa is granted for the same duration as the employer's posting, and partners or dependent children cannot be included.
This visa is ideal for a long-serving private household employee — nanny, cook, driver — recruited directly by a diplomat posted to New Zealand.
Aged 18 or older
Employed only for domestic work (e.g. cook, nanny, driver, gardener)
Employer signs a Statement of Undertaking covering accommodation, living costs and return travel
Applicant signs a Declaration of Acceptance acknowledging employment conditions
MFAT Protocol Division must not object to the visa
Passport valid at least 3 months beyond planned departure from New Zealand
Police certificates required if total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits
Cannot be in New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa when applying
If previously held this visa with a different diplomatic employer, must wait 3 years before re-applying
Passport (valid at least 3 months after planned departure)
Two acceptable photos (head and shoulders)
Statement of Undertaking signed by the employer
Declaration of Acceptance signed by the applicant
MFAT Protocol Division non-objection / support
Police certificates (if total NZ stay will be 24+ months across all visits, or if requested)
Chest X-ray or medical certificate (if stay exceeds 6 or 12 months respectively, or if required)
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