Overseas passport holders who do not hold New Zealand residence MUST hold a valid and applicable work permit before they can work in New Zealand. There are a range of work permit policies which can be considered depending on the circumstances and only the main policies are discussed in this section:

Normal work policy requires all the following criteria to be satisfied.

• The applicant to have an offer of employment for a full time (30 hours per week) position which is in accordance with New Zealand employment law
• The applicant to have work experience and/or qualifications relevant to the position requirements
• The employer satisfies INZ, and provides evidence, that they have made a genuine attempt to locate and employ New Zealand citizens or residents for the position. This normally means the position has to have been advertised with no responses from suitable candidates. The position should also be one that New Zealanders are unable to be easily trained for
• The employer should be credible and the position financially sustainable

It can be difficult to obtain work permits for positions such as those associated with customer service, cleaning, clerical, labouring and production work.

Skills shortage work policy applies to employment in a range of occupations and industries in New Zealand where there is an acknowledged skill shortage. These occupations are reviewed and updated by INZ on a regular basis and published on their website. There are two listings:

• The Immediate Skills Shortage List (ISSL)
• The Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) - also known as the absolute skills shortage list

The ISSL generally applies to regional skill shortages and positions where short term national skill shortages exist. The LTSSL applies to nationally recognised skill shortages which are expected to remain for the foreseeable future. Work permit applications supported by offers of employment for positions on the ISSL or the LTSSL are not required to be advertised. However applicants must have evidence they hold the prerequisite qualifications and/or work experience, noted as being required within the shortage lists, to undertake the position being offered.

Positions listed on the LTSSL can have additional advantages in applying for permanent residence.

Work permits cannot normally be issued for any positions payable by commissions only, or in self employment (there are exceptions) or in any position within the prostitution industry.

Work permits are endorsed to allow the applicant to work only in the position offered and only for the employer specified on the permit label. A new work permit application or a Variation of Conditions application is required to be approved to facilitate any change in the employment terms from those specified on the original permit label.

Work Permits are issued for the period of the employment offered to an initial maximum of 3 years. 

If an applicant is living in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident they can be eligible for an open work permit. An open work permit allows the partner, should they wish, to work for any employer in any position and to work in positions of self employed.

Under INZ temporary policies a child is considered a dependent of their parents up until their 20^th birthday unless they are working or in a partnership relationship. Dependents of work permit holders can be issued open student permits which allow them to study at any Government recognised educational institution in New Zealand up until completion of secondary school. Such students are not required to pay international student tuition fees. However dependents who have completed secondary school and wish to progress to University or Polytechnic must enrol as international students and pay the appropriate tuition fees in order to obtain their student permit. These work/student/visitor permits are issued to the same date as the parent's work permit