In New Zealand, roles such as chefs, waiters, café and restaurant managers, kitchenhands, and sales assistants are in high demand, with chefs being one of the most needed positions. Nearly 37% of workers in the food and beverage industry were migrants in 2021, up from 33.8% in 2012. To address high demand, Immigration New Zealand offers specific visa pathways for chefs from select countries.
Thai Chefs Work Visa
Eligibility: Citizens of Thailand with a full-time job offer as a Thai chef, along with relevant qualifications and experience.
Employer Requirements:
- Candidate Skills: Must have one of the following:
- Thai Cooking Certificate Level 1 with 5 years of experience.
- Thai Cooking Certificate Level 2 with 4 years of experience.
- Thai Cooking Certificate Level 3 with 3 years of experience.
- Job Offer: A written employment agreement that:
- Details a Thai chef role with at least 30 hours per week for up to 3 years.
- Includes a job description, terms, conditions, and compliance with NZ employment law.
Visa Details:
- Length of Stay: Up to 3 years, with the option to extend for 1 additional year (up to 4 years total).
- Cost: Starting at NZD $1,355.
- Processing Time: 80% processed within 5 weeks.
- Key Points:
- Stay duration depends on the job offer length.
- Applicants who’ve worked in New Zealand for 4 years on this visa must stay outside New Zealand for 3 years before reapplying.
- Family members can apply for visas based on their relationship with the candidate.
Indonesia Special Work Visa
Eligibility: Indonesian citizens with a job offer as a chef, Halal slaughterer, or Bahasa teacher’s aide.
Employer Requirements:
- Job Offer: Provide an employment offer specific to the role in New Zealand without checking for local availability.
Visa Details:
- Length of Stay: Up to 3 years, with an option to extend for another year (up to 4 years total).
- Quota: Annual limits—100 Indonesian chefs, 20 Halal slaughterers, and 20 Bahasa teachers’ aides.
- Cost: Starting at NZD 1,355.
- Processing Time: 80% processed within 5 weeks.
- Key Points:
- Length of stay depends on the job offer.
- Family members can apply for visas based on their relationship with the candidate.
China Special Work Visa
Eligibility: Citizens of the People’s Republic of China with a job offer in specific roles: chef, traditional medicine practitioner, Mandarin teacher’s aide, Wushu coach, or tourism specialist.
Visa Details:
- Length of Stay: Up to 3 years.
- Quota: Annual limits—200 chefs, 75 medicine practitioners, 300 Mandarin aides, 25 Wushu coaches, and 200 tourism specialists.
- Cost: Starting at NZD $1,355.
- Processing Time: 80% processed within 5 weeks.
- Key Points:
- Stay length depends on the job offer.
- Family members can apply for visas based on their relationship with the candidate.
Vietnam Special Work Visa
Eligibility: Vietnamese citizens with a job offer as a chef or engineering professional.
Visa Details:
- Length of Stay: Up to 3 years.
- Quota: 100 chefs and 100 engineering professionals each year.
- Cost: Starting at NZD $1,355.
- Processing Time: 80% processed within 5 weeks.
- Key Points:
- Stay length depends on the job offer.
- Family members can apply for visas based on their relationship with the candidate.
General Application Requirements (for all special work visas)
- Identity Proof
- Health and Character Check
- Intentions: Applicants must genuinely intend to meet visa conditions.
- Skill Level (ANZSCO): Job offers must align with the appropriate ANZSCO skill level for the role.
- Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens and residents of the visa-specific country when applying.
Note: For more detailed information during the application process, please connect with ICL Immigration licensed Immigration Advisers
Reference
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
About ICL Immigration
ICL Immigration, based in Auckland, is an established licensed immigration adviser with over 20 years of experience and a remarkable 300+ google reviews. We’ve helped over 1,000 immigrants realise their New Zealand settlement dreams.
We specialise in a broad spectrum of visa services, including work, residency, student visas, and business-related services like employer accreditation, ensuring personalised solutions for individuals and businesses aiming to navigate New Zealand’s immigration landscape successfully.
