New Zealand•Oceania

Open

Specific Purpose Work Visa

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

3 weeks

Estimated Cost

NZD $1,355

Stay Duration

Varies (Duration determined by specific purpose or event)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Time-bound work permit for individuals coming to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event such as secondment, sports, or specialist installation.

The Specific Purpose Work Visa is an Immigration New Zealand permit for people coming for a defined, time-bound activity that does not fit standard employment frameworks. Typical uses include business secondments, intra-corporate transfers, professional sports, film production, and specialist installation work.

Costs NZD 1,355 online (NZD 295 application fee + NZD 1,060 immigration levy); 80% of decisions issue within 3 weeks. Stay length is set by the purpose, with most streams capped at 12-36 months and extensions possible. Partners and dependent children cannot be included and must apply separately.

This visa is ideal for senior executives on secondment, intra-corporate transferees, professional athletes, specialist technicians, and researchers whose New Zealand work is bounded by a concrete event or project.

Cost Breakdown

Work visa application fee (Band C — rest of world)NZD $295

Immigration levyNZD $1,060

TotalNZD $1,355

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must have a specific purpose or event to attend or work on in New Zealand.

Must have a job offer, letter of invitation, or schedule of events detailing the duration of stay.

Must meet health and character requirements.

Must provide evidence of sufficient funds to support oneself during the stay.

Must provide evidence of qualifications and work experience if required for the role.

Must have a valid passport or certificate of identity.

Must comply with New Zealand employment law if the role is paid.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Experience

1+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or certificate of identity.

Acceptable passport-sized photos.

Evidence of the specific purpose or event (e.g., contract, invitation letter, schedule).

Completed Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) if applicable.

Evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., bank statements).

Police certificates (if required).

Medical and chest X-ray certificates (if required).

Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (if a sponsor is involved).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

From NZD 1,455 application fee with 80% of decisions within 3 weeks
Often bypasses formal labour-market test or employer accreditation
Covers a wide range of short-term scenarios: secondment, ICT, sports, research, installation
Initial stays of up to 12 months with extensions possible in many streams
Renewable in some streams (e.g. ICT transferees up to 72 months total)
Online application via Immigration Online with eVisa issued on approval

Worth Knowing

Stay length is strictly tied to the specific purpose or event, not open-ended
Evidence requirements vary widely by category — job offer, INZ 1113, schedule of events
Partner and dependent children must each apply for their own visas separately
Medical (over 12 months) and chest X-ray (over 6 months) requirements may apply
Police certificates required if total NZ stay reaches 24 months or longer
No clear specific purpose or event meeting INZ's accepted categories
Unable to demonstrate genuine intent to leave at the end of the stay
Failure to meet INZ health and character requirements

Application Process

Confirm qualification

ensure you are coming to NZ for a specific purpose or event that meets INZ requirements

Gather documents

passport, photo, evidence of the specific purpose/event (job offer, invitation letter, or schedule of events), proof of qualifications and experience if required, proof of funds, and Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) if required