If you are offered a job that cannot be filled by a New Zealander and the New Zealand employer is willing to "sponsor" you, then it may be able to apply for a work visa. If you wish to take up employment in New Zealand you need to apply for a work permit. Employment means any activity undertaken for gain or reward.

There are three work permit categories:

• Skilled stream

• Family stream

• Humanitarian stream

Employees need to initially apply for a work visa in order to obtain an endorsement in their passport, which allows them to enter or re-enter New Zealand. This endorsement would also show that they have permission to travel to New Zealand and may be granted a work permit when they arrive in the country.

Once an applicant is granted a work permit, this is valid for work in New Zealand for a period of up to three years. Further work permits may be granted for the period for which further employment is offered, up to a maximum three years each time. For each period of employment the applicant must meet the relevant work policy requirements, which includes a further labor market test on the part of the employer.

General Skills

Work permit applicants under the Skilled/General work policy must provide an offer of employment and meet registration requirements if applicable. This is the most common category in which indented migrants apply to New Zealand. The objective of the General Skills category is to select migrants who will

• Increase New Zealand's levels of human capital, enterprise and innovation; and

• Foster international linkages.

To be granted residence under the General Skills category you must score enough points at the time your application is accepted, and meet all other requirements. Applicants must also prove that no New Zealand resident or citizen is available to do the work offered to him or her.

Family

The objectives of the Family category are to : permit New Zealand citizens or residents to be joined by their eligible spouses, partners, parents, siblings and children; and allow New Zealand citizens or residents to sponsor family members and help them settle.

Humanitarian

You may apply for residence under this category if: you or a New Zealand party are suffering serious physical harm and/or serious emotional harm; and you have a close family member who is a New Zealand citizen or resident who is prepared to sponsor you; and the only reasonable solution to the situation is the grant of residence; and it would not be contrary to the public interest to allow you to reside in New Zealand.

You are required to submit medical or psychiatric reports supporting your claim of serious physical or serious emotional harm.

Among other categories (i.e. domestic staff of diplomatic and consular personnel, Japanese interpreters, medical and dental personnel for New Zealand hospitals, etc.), Senior executive staff of multinational companies are exempt from obtaining an Approval in Principle and no check needs to be made to see if suitable New Zealanders are available