{"id":54745,"date":"2025-06-03T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/?p=54745"},"modified":"2025-05-30T16:42:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T06:42:28","slug":"specific-purpose-work-visa-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/news\/specific-purpose-work-visa-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Specific Purpose Work Visa updates"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Photo credit: Tourism NZ Visual Library<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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New visa durations offer flexibility for athletes and coaches<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>

On 26 May 2025, Immigration New Zealand introduced updates<\/a><\/span> to the Specific Purpose Work Visa<\/span><\/a> (SPWV), extending the allowable visa durations for sports professionals. These changes are intended to better reflect the unique needs of the professional sports sector in New Zealand.<\/p>

Under the new rules, athletes and coaches who are not competing at a national or regional level may now be granted a visa of up to 12 months. For those engaged at a national, trans-Tasman, or international competition level, the visa duration has increased to 36 months.<\/p>

This is a significant improvement for sports professionals, as those meeting the national or regional threshold can now also reapply for a second SPWV if their contract is extended, allowing a combined stay of up to three years.<\/p>

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Who qualifies as a sports professional?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>

Immigration New Zealand defines a professional sports player as someone who holds a paid position at a New Zealand sports club and whose main role is to train for and compete in their sport. A professional sports coach is similarly someone in a paid coaching role at a New Zealand club. To be considered competing at a national or regional level, an individual must be representing a club in a top-tier domestic, trans-Tasman, or international league.<\/p>

The SPWV has long been a useful pathway for short-term or event-specific roles in New Zealand, but until now, sports professionals were typically only allowed one such visa. The new settings recognise the ongoing nature of many sports contracts and create a more sustainable option for teams and clubs.<\/p>

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Application criteria and eligibility<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>

To qualify for a SPWV, applicants must demonstrate a genuine reason for entering New Zealand to complete a specific purpose or event. They must be qualified for the work, meet the relevant visa conditions, and provide the necessary supporting documents. This includes proof of a job offer, relevant qualifications or experience, and a clear timeline of how long they need to stay in the country.<\/p>

To be eligible, you must also:<\/strong><\/p>