The Specific Purpose Work Visa – a good option for employers

New Zealand’s SMEs are no strangers to workforce challenges. Whether it’s an urgent project, a specialist role, or a tight delivery timeline, finding the right person with the right skills locally isn’t always possible. However, not every role justifies the time and cost involved in obtaining employer accreditation, a job check, and an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

The Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV), as the name suggests, is designed for bringing someone to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event. It is a practical, flexible option that many employers can find more cost-effective, and appropriate, than an AEWV, to address their work needs in certain situations.

The SPWV is ideal when the work requirement is defined by a project, and/or is time-bound. Common examples include any project-based work (particularly IT projects), overseas technicians for machinery installation, film crew for location-based productions, sports people and coaches, performance and event participants and judges, and executives and specialist staff on short-term secondments or work contracts. Pathways® has assisted with SPWV applications under all the above categories, and which are just a few examples of the 21,000+ SPWVs that have been approved by Immigration NZ over the past 3 years.

Normally the SPWV is granted for the time required to complete the work project and policy allows for visas up to 3 years in certain instances. It may also be possible to extend the visa if more time is needed. The worker must have the specialist skills required for the work, and the role can be either employment or contract based. Many workers may also continue to be employed, and paid, by their overseas employer while undertaking their work in New Zealand.

Partners and children can apply for visas based on their relationship to the SPWV holder. This can make the visa more attractive to workers who may be hesitant to relocate without their family—even for a short time.

The main requirements for a SPWV include evidence of the project/work requirement, and that it is time-limited, and requires a person with specialist skills. Documents which confirm the nature of the relationship with the employer, and remuneration terms and the worker’s ability to perform the work are also required.

If an employer has a particular work project for which they require specialist skills for a certain period of time, then the SPWV offers a number of benefits:

• The employer is not required to be accredited
• There is no job advertising, and no job check requirement
• The above represent significant cost savings
• Processing time for a SPWV is normally just 2-4 weeks (& sometimes quicker)
• Businesses can remain agile, and to scale up or down based on project needs