Note : The following is not a complete list of all factors which may be taken into account both for and against your application and there can be no substitute for professional and experienced assistance. We have acted successfully for many applicants and are subject to the Rules of the New Zealand Law Society. You can read some of our testimonials here. You can contact us here. The objective of the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy is to allow accredited employers to supplement their own New Zealand workforce in their core area of business activity through:

• the recruitment of workers who are not New Zealand citizens or residents whose talents are required by the employer;
• the accredited employer having direct responsibility for those employees and their work output.

Non-New Zealand citizens or residents may apply for work permits and visa under this policy with an accredited employer if they:

• hold an offer of employment (see over page) from an accredited employer
• are aged 55 years or under
• meet immigration health and character requirements, and
• are bona fide applicants intending to comply with their visa and permit conditions.

Persons issued Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visas and Permits are granted multiple entry work visas and permits enabling a stay of 30 months in New Zealand. Their visas and permits are subject to the condition that they may work for an accredited employer only. Holders of these visas and permits may apply for New Zealand residence after 2 years. They will qualify for residence if they:

• have been employed in New Zealand by an accredited employer (or any other employer they have been granted a Variation of Conditions to work for) throughout a period of at least 24 months during the currency of their work visa and work permit;
• have full time ongoing employment with a minimum base salary of NZ$45,000; and
• meet standard residence application requirements,
• health and character requirements as well as any applicable occupational registration requirements.

For an Employer to qualify for accreditation the NZIS must be satisfied that the Employer:

• is in a sound financial position
• has human resource policies and processes of a high standard
• has a demonstrable commitment to training and employing New Zealanders, and
• has good workplace practices - including a history of compliance with all immigration and employment laws and policies such as the Immigration Act, the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, the Minimum Wage Act, the Health & Safety in Employment Act, the Employment Relations Act, and the Holidays Act.

Accreditation Assessment When deciding whether to grant accreditation the NZIS will consider all the information and evidence supplied in the Employer’s application for accreditation, and will take into account such factors as:

• the period for which the Employer has been a going concern
• whether the Employer has engaged with any relevant Industry Training Organisation (ITO)
• whether the Employer is a member of the EEO Employers Group
• whether the Employer is International Organisation for Standardisation “ISO-certified”
• whether the Employer has an intention to maintain accreditation throughout the period of currency of any
• visas and permits issued or granted to their employees under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy.

New Zealand The NZIS will consult with relevant unions and other employee representatives when determining whether the Employer has human resource policies and processes of a high standard, a commitment to training and employing New Zealanders, and good workplace practices. Employers must consent to the NZIS seeking information from the Employment Relations Service and the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour, and the Accident Compensation Corporation concerning the Employer’s compliance with New Zealand’s employment laws. Where such consent is not given the application for accreditation will be declined. Approved employers are granted accreditation for 12 months. Accreditation may be renewed annually, on application by the Employer, provided the NZIS is satisfied the Employer still meets accreditation requirements. ? Offers of employment made by accredited employers to non-New Zealand workers under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Policy must be:

• for genuine employment in New Zealand in the capacity or position stated
• for employment in the accredited employer’s core area of business activity and where the employer will have
• direct responsibility for the employee’s work output
• for a position with a salary of NZ$45,000 or more (The minimum base salary requirement of NZ$45,000 may be waived for applicants who produce evidence which satisfies the NZIS that they have exceptional talent in a field of art, sport or culture)
• for a period of at least 24 months
• for full time employment (that is, amounting to, on average, at least 30 hours per week)
• current at the time the holder’s work visa and permit application is assessed, and at the time he or she is
• issued a multiple entry work visa and permit
• compliant with all relevant employment law* in force in New Zealand, and
• when submitted by the holder to the NZIS, accompanied by evidence of full or provisional registration (or of
• eligibility for such registration) if registration is required by law for that person to take up the offer.

It is important for employers to keep their accredited employer status current by obtaining annual renewals. Employers who fail to renew their accreditation, or whose conduct results in their accreditation being rescinded or not being renewed, may jeopardise the ability of any employees holding work visas and permits to subsequently apply for residence under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Residence policy.