Hiring migrants already in New Zealand: a guide for employers

Author: Maggie Chen – Immigration Adviser

Hiring migrants already in New Zealand can be a strategic and efficient way to address staffing shortages, particularly in industries with high demand for skilled or seasonal workers. Many overseas nationals living locally hold visas that permit them to work, either full-time or with specific restrictions, without requiring employer sponsorship or offshore processing.

From skilled workers, working holiday makers to international students and recent graduates and, many of these individuals are ready to step into roles quickly, provided their visa conditions allow it. Understanding the different visa types, work entitlements, and employer responsibilities is key to making informed, compliant hiring decisions.

The most common visas employers encounter includes student visas, post study work visas, working holiday visas, and other work visas such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa. Each comes with unique conditions and opportunities, knowing the difference helps ensure the right hire and legal peace of mind.

Work visas in New Zealand: Know the conditions before hiring or changing roles

Migrants already in New Zealand on valid work visas can offer much-needed skills with fewer barriers than offshore hires, but employers must understand and respect visa conditions to remain compliant.

Some individuals may hold work visa, allowing them to work for any employer, in any role and location. These workers can usually begin immediately, provided their visa is current.

Others may hold job-specific visas, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which restrict them to a particular employer, job title, and location.

If the migrant is:

• Starting work with a new employer
• Changing roles, locations, or job titles, they must either:
• Apply for a variation of conditions, or
• Obtain a new visa that reflects the updated details.

For AEWV holders, this process is known as a Job Change application, and it must be approved before the new role begins unless it’s for business restructure or liquidation. Employers must not allow the person to start work in a new position or business until written confirmation is received.

Importantly, changing visa conditions does not extend the visa expiry date. If the visa is nearing expiry, applying for a new one may be the better option.

Proactive visa checks and planning can help you avoid costly disruptions and ensure full compliance.

Working holiday visas: a flexible workforce at your fingertips

Working holiday visa holders offer employers a flexible and readily available workforce: perfect for filling short-term gaps in hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and other seasonal industries. These young travellers come prepared to work and explore, often bringing diverse skills and enthusiasm to the workplace.

Most working holiday makers can stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months, although citizens of the United Kingdom may stay for up to 36 months, and Canadians up to 23 months. They don’t need a job offer to enter the country and can work for a wide range of employers once they arrive. Because this visa is designed for travel and short-term work, holders cannot accept permanent roles. However, they can be hired into temporary or casual positions without needing to amend their visa.

Employers looking to retain a strong performer long-term must support a transition to a more appropriate visa. typically, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), before the working holiday visa expires.

This group is ideal for roles that require agility, adaptability, and immediate availability, but longer-term planning is essential if you want to keep them beyond the short term.

Post Study Work visas: retain local talent, ready to contribute

Graduates on a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) offer employers a strong opportunity to fill full-time roles without sponsorship obligations. These individuals are job-ready, familiar with New Zealand workplace expectations, and often keen to stay long-term.

Depending on the qualification level and where it was obtained, a post study work visa can be valid for up to three years. Holders of this visa can work full-time for any employer and in almost any occupation, unless specific sector limitations apply (such as Green List links).

Employers can:

• Offer permanent or fixed-term contracts
• Use this time to evaluate the employee before supporting a transition to residence or AEWV

As with all migrant hires, it is essential to verify the graduate’s visa conditions and expiry date using VisaView and to maintain accurate records for compliance purposes. If the individual intends to remain employed beyond the validity of their post study work visa, employers should engage early to support the appropriate transition to a new visa pathway.

Student visas: tapping into future talent early

International students represent a valuable and often overlooked talent pool for New Zealand employers. Many of these individuals are already trained, culturally adapted, and eager to gain work experience while studying making them a smart option for part-time support or future hires.

Under current visa rules, students may work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during scheduled study breaks and holidays. PhD and master’s research students have even greater flexibility, with no restrictions on their working hours as long as they remain enrolled full-time.

Eligibility to work depends on visa conditions and the student’s course of study. These details are outlined in the student’s eVisa or approval letter and can be verified via Immigration New Zealand’s VisaView system.

Before making an offer, employers should always:

• Sight the student’s original photo ID and visa approval
• Use VisaView to confirm work rights and visa expiry dates

If you’re considering retaining a student after graduation, plan early so they can transition smoothly to a new visa.

Compliance essentials for hiring migrants

While visa-specific conditions vary, these are the core steps every employer should follow when hiring any migrant already in New Zealand:

• Confirm visa status and work rights
• Sight original identification
• Check visa conditions carefully
• Support visa transitions where necessary
• Avoid permanent offers to ineligible visa holders
• Maintain accurate records

By embedding these steps into your hiring process, you will protect your business and create a smoother pathway for employing migrant talent.

How Absolute Immigration NZ can support you

At Absolute Immigration NZ, we work alongside employers to simplify the process of hiring migrants already in New Zealand. From understanding visa conditions to meeting compliance obligations, we provide strategic guidance that enables you to focus on securing the right talent without administrative burdens.

For expert immigration support, contact us at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com