As trusted immigration professionals, we offer a clear, updated, and practical guide to checking, understanding, and changing your New Zealand work visa conditions. In this blog, we simplify every essential detail, visa conditions, restrictions, employer or job changes, Variation of Conditions (VoC) rules, and stay limits, so you can stay fully compliant and avoid visa risks. Our goal is to help every migrant make confident, accurate decisions when reviewing or updating their work visa conditions in New Zealand.
Understanding Your New Zealand Work Visa Conditions
Every New Zealand work visa comes with specific mandatory conditions defining what you can and cannot do. These conditions appear on your visa label (if issued), approval letter, or through the Visa Verification Service.
Where to Find Your NZ Work Visa Conditions
You may view your conditions:
- On the physical visa label in your passport,
- In the visa grant letter you received,
- Online via the Visa Verification Service, providing instant access to all active conditions.
If your circumstances change, or your employer alters your role, location, or business structure, you must ensure your visa conditions remain valid by applying for a Variation of Conditions (VOC) or Job Change as required.
Key Types of Work Visa Conditions You Must Follow
Visa Expiry and Travel Requirements
- Visa Expiry Date: The final day you may lawfully remain in New Zealand.
- First Entry Before: For offshore applicants, you must enter New Zealand before this deadline for your visa to activate.
- Number of Entries: Some visas allow multiple entries; others restrict you to a single re-entry during validity.
- Expiry Date Travel: The last date you may enter New Zealand using that visa.
Return or Onward Travel Obligations
Unless your visa clearly states “Return/onward travel not required,” you must hold:
- A confirmed outbound ticket, or
- Sufficient funds to purchase one, or
- A sponsor approved to fund your departure.
Work Conditions Attached to Your Visa
Your visa will outline precise employment terms, including:
- Approved Employer
- Occupation / Job Title
- Job Location
- Minimum Pay Rate
- Required Weekly Hours
- Type of Employment Arrangement (including remote or contract restrictions where applicable)
You must work strictly within the approved conditions unless you apply for a change and receive formal approval.
Study Conditions on a Work Visa
Some work visas allow limited study, usually up to 3 months, unless otherwise specified. Longer study durations require a Variation of Conditions or a Student Visa.
Extending Your Stay in New Zealand
You cannot extend a work visa. Instead, you must apply for a new temporary visa before your current one expires.
Applying for a New Visa
To apply from within New Zealand, you must hold a valid:
- New Zealand Visitor Visa,
- New Zealand Student Visa, or
- New Zealand Work Visa (excluding Interim, Limited, or Transit Visas).
Apply at least 30 days before expiry to avoid complications.
Interim Visa Issuance
If your temporary visa expires during processing, Immigration New Zealand may issue an Interim Visa, allowing you to remain lawfully.
Changing Your Work Visa Conditions
You may apply to change conditions related to:
- Employer
- Job title or occupation
- Work location
- Study duration permitted on your work visa
Employer Changes, Redundancy, Restructure and Business Closure
If your employer:
- Restructures,
- Shifts your role or location,
- Enters liquidation or bankruptcy, or
- Makes you redundant,
You may need a Variation of Conditions, Job Change, or a new work visa.
Workers should also refer to Employment New Zealand resources on redundancy, liquidation, and claims.
Changing Your Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or Seasonal AEWV (GWSV/PSV)
If Your Employer Sells or Restructures the Business
Your employment may transfer to a new entity, but you must apply for a Job Change to update employer details.
If Your Employer Loses Accreditation
You may continue working until your visa expires.
To change employers, you must lodge a Job Change and your new employer must:
- Be AEWV-accredited, and
- Hold an approved Job Check.
Eligibility Requirements for a Job Change
A valid Job Change requires:
- A job token number matching your visa type,
- A job aligned with AEWV conditions,
- Meeting qualifications or experience listed in the job advertisement.
Seasonal Visa Rules
- GWSV: Can only change to jobs listed on the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa job list.
- PSV: Can only change to roles on the Peak Seasonal Visa job list.
Maximum Continuous Stay Rules and Job Changes
The maximum continuous stay determines how long you may remain in New Zealand on your work visa category before spending time outside the country.
AEWV Maximum Stay
- Depends on job type: 3 years or 5 years
- Time spent under PSV or GWSV does NOT count towards AEWV limits.
Eligibility for Maintaining a 5-Year AEWV
You may retain a 5-year maximum if:
- You applied between 21 June 2023 – 6 April 2024, and
- Your role is ANZSCO level 4–5 and eligible for a 5-year stay, and
- You move to a job at the same or higher skill level.
Changing an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV)
You may change your employer, job, or location if:
- The job was advertised appropriately, unless:
- It is on the Essential Skills in Demand List,
- The pay rate is at least NZD $67.12/hour (twice the median wage), or
- The role is on the Green List.
Provide:
- A letter from your employer confirming local labour market testing,
- Evidence of qualifications and experience if the new job differs.
Changing an Accredited Employer Work Visa
You may change employers if they:
- Hold AE accreditation, or
- Previously held accreditation (expired after 31 March 2021), or
- Are not accredited, but your role ended for reasons outside your control.
Your new position must continue to meet the minimum salary requirement stated in your original visa.
Changing a Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa (LTSSL)
For LTSSL visa holders:
- You may change roles if the new job remains on the LTSSL and you meet all listed requirements.
- You may change employers unless they appear on the stand-down or non-compliant employers list.
Even if your occupation is removed from the LTSSL, your current visa remains valid and you may still qualify for residence after two years if all criteria are met.
Changing Conditions on a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
Work conditions may be removed if:
- Your partner earns at least $26.85/hour, and
- Holds an AEWV or ESWV.
Once removed, you may work in any legal employment except:
- Commercial sexual services, or
- Operating/investing in related businesses.
District Health Board (DHB) Visa Conditions
If your visa lists a District Health Board (DHB) as your employer, this automatically aligns with the current entity Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, requiring no changes.
Changing Study Conditions on a Work Visa
If you want to study more than 3 months part-time, you must apply for a Variation of Conditions.
You will require:
- An offer of place from an approved education provider, and
- Confirmation that your primary purpose remains work.
Wrapping up
Maintaining up-to-date visa conditions is essential to staying lawful and protecting long-term residency pathways. Any change in your employment, study plan, or employer status should be reviewed immediately to ensure compliance.
How Immigration Chambers Can Assist?
At Immigration Chambers, we provide personalised guidance to help you understand, verify, and update your New Zealand work visa conditions with complete accuracy. We assess your situation, identify whether you need a Variation of Conditions or a Job Change, and prepare a strong application on your behalf. Our team ensures compliance with New Zealand immigration rules while protecting your work rights. We also liaise with employers where necessary to streamline the process and minimise delays.
Connect with our Immigration Lawyer in Auckland for expert support in checking, changing, or updating your New Zealand work visa conditions with confidence.
FAQs
1. How do I know what conditions are on my work visa?
You can check your conditions on your visa label, approval letter, or online through the Visa Verification Service.
2. When do I need a Variation of Conditions?
You need a Variation of Conditions if your job, employer, location, hours, or study rights change but your visa type remains suitable.
3. What is a Job Change for an AEWV?
A Job Change allows AEWV holders to switch employers, jobs, or locations provided the new employer is accredited and has a valid Job Check.
4. Will changing my visa conditions extend my visa duration?
No. Updating or varying visa conditions does not change your visa’s expiry date.
5. What happens if my employer restructures, relocates, or makes me redundant?
You may need to update your visa conditions, apply for a Job Change, or apply for a new visa, depending on the situation.
6. Can I start the new job before my Variation or Job Change is approved?
No. You must wait for Immigration New Zealand to approve the change before starting the new job or location.
7. Can I study while on a work visa?
Only if your visa specifically allows study, or if you apply to change the duration of study permitted.