What is the Specific Purpose Work Visa?

This is a temporary work visa that allows a person to come to New Zealand for a clearly defined task, project, or event. It’s not for people looking to settle permanently or work in an ongoing role.

Immigration New Zealand created this category to allow flexibility for short-term needs — especially when the role requires someone with specialised skills or experience not readily available locally.

You must have a valid reason, a clear timeframe, and ideally, someone in New Zealand (an employer or host organisation) who can back your purpose.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is used by a wide range of professionals. Some common examples include:

• Technicians or engineers installing or maintaining specialised machinery
• Auditors, consultants, or trainers conducting a workshop or assessment
• Senior executives or board members visiting a New Zealand branch
• Academics or researchers attending conferences or carrying out fieldwork
• Sports coaches or players contracted for a season
• Artists or performers participating in a festival or cultural event
• IT professionals handling urgent software or system installations
• Multinational staff temporarily transferred for project delivery

Basically, if your work is short-term, clearly defined, and valuable, and you’re the right person for the job, this visa could be the right fit.

How long can you stay?

Your visa duration will be based on your task, not your preference. Immigration New Zealand will grant just enough time for you to complete your purpose — no more, no less.

Typical durations include:

• Up to 3 months — for short-term meetings, training sessions, or events
• Up to 6–12 months — for medium-term assignments or seasonal contracts
• Up to 2–3 years — in special cases, like a senior executive overseeing a longer project or being transferred from a global office

The key is that your stay must be tied to your task, not a general desire to remain.

Can you apply from outside New Zealand?

Yes. This visa is open to people applying from overseas or within New Zealand, depending on your circumstances.

Offshore applications are common, especially for corporate assignments or event invitations. Processing times are generally quick, especially when everything is clearly explained and well-documented.

Can you switch employers or take on extra work?

No. This is not an open work visa.

You are only allowed to:

• Work for the specific employer or organisation named in your application
• Perform the specific task described
• Stay only for the approved time period

Trying to switch employers, extend your stay without a valid reason, or take on unrelated jobs can result in visa breaches — and future visa applications may be affected.

What makes a strong application?

Immigration New Zealand wants to see a few key things:

• Clarity: Your role and purpose should be easy to understand.
• Credibility: The organisation hosting or hiring you should be legitimate and clear about your visit.
• Need: Your skills or background should match the task, and there should be a genuine reason they’re bringing in someone from overseas.
• Time-limited purpose: Your visit must have a start and end date. Open-ended or vague intentions usually don’t work here.

Common reasons for refusal

Applications are usually declined for the following reasons:

• The purpose is too broad or unclear (e.g., “business meetings” with no further detail)
• Not enough evidence showing why you’re needed
• Qualifications or background don’t align with the role
• The job could be done by someone already in NZ
• Applicant has previous visa breaches or immigration issues

Good planning and strong documentation can prevent most of these issues.

Can this visa lead to residence?

This visa is not designed as a pathway to residence. It’s a short-term solution, not a step toward staying permanently.

That said, here are some exceptions:

• If your role evolves into a full-time permanent job, you might be able to switch to an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and begin a new residence pathway.
• If your role qualifies for the Green List, and your employer is accredited, you may be able to switch visa types and later apply for residence.
• If you’re a senior executive or key person, some rare roles may open a door through the Skilled Migrant Category.

But these are exceptions, not the norm.

Why work with Visa Matters?

Specific Purpose visa applications are all about getting the details right. Immigration New Zealand won’t just rubber-stamp your request – they’ll look carefully at your documents and ask whether your role is really specific, really temporary, and really needed.

At Visa Matters, we’ve helped clients from over 50 countries— fast, clear, and with confidence.

Here’s what we help with:

• Presenting your purpose clearly and persuasively
• Preparing a complete and compliant application
• Communicating with your employer or event organiser
• Managing timelines and urgency
• Avoiding common mistakes that lead to refusals

Whether you’re a multinational company, a local event organiser, or an individual contractor — we know how to guide you through this process.

Final thoughts

If you’ve been invited to New Zealand for a short-term project or clearly defined event, and your role requires specific skills or experience, the Specific Purpose Work Visa is likely the right fit.

But remember: the success of your application depends entirely on how well your purpose is presented. Immigration New Zealand needs to understand who you are, what you’re coming to do, why you’re the best person for the job, and when you’ll be leaving.

So don’t leave it to chance — especially when deadlines are tight and your role is time-sensitive.