Immigration
Work Visas
Cast and crew who do not hold New Zealand or Australian passports require a work visa.
Location Scouting/preliminary meetings
Visits to New Zealand for location scouting and preliminary meetings require only a visitor visa. Many countries have visa waiver agreements for visits of up to three months (see list at bottom of page).
Production
Criteria for Application:
To obtain a work visa, applicants must meet one of the evidentiary requirements listed below:
- The applicant is of international distinction or merit, or particular ethnic significance, or is manifestly essential to the presentation or production, or
- The applicant's employment does not put at risk the employment of New Zealand entertainers or professionals in equivalent work unless the wider benefits to be obtained from the applicant's employment outweigh the loss of job opportunities for New Zealanders, or
- Appropriate consideration has been given to employing available New Zealand entertainers or professionals.
New forms and guidelines (as of 30th April 2012) have been introduced reflecting a new process. The new application form has two sections, you (the applicant) must complete the first part of the form and the New Zealand employer/production company/promoter seeking to engage you must complete the supplementary form.
If the applicant is going to be employed for less than 14 days, then a copy of the employer supplementary form is not required to be sent to the relevant union or guild.
If the applicant is likely to be employed for more than 14 days then a copy of the employer supplementary form must be sent to the relevant union or guild and the following process will apply.
Once submitted, the relevant guild or union then has three working days to object to your application.
You can elect to apply for a Letter of Support (previously called a Letter of non-objection) from the relevant guild or union and include with your application. If a Letter of Support is lodged with your application, the NZIS will issue a visa without waiting for three working days to elapse.
If you choose not to include a Letter of Support with your applications and there is no objection to your application, then the NZIS will grant the work visa (subject to any health and character requirements that may be applicable).
Generally, processing of a work visa application will take 10 days from time of receipt.
Your New Zealand employer/production company/promoter seeking to engage you must provide the following information with your applications:
- Evidence to the NZIS and the relevant guild or union that you meet one of the above criteria,
- A written guarantee that accommodation needs will be met and the cost of return travel back to your home country if necessary.
- Optional inclusion of a Letter of Support
If there is an objection and the issue cannot be resolved through consultation, your application will be forwarded to the Minister of Immigration for a decision.
14 Day Labour Market Test Waiver
Your employer (or production company, or agent) must provide evidence to Immigration New Zealand at least 10 days before the event that you meet one of the criteria.
Provision of the Letter of Support is not required if the applicant’s contract in New Zealand:
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is for 14 days or less, or
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will be undertaken on an official co-production, or
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is with a company that holds entertainment industry accreditation
Your employer will also need to provide us with a written guarantee that your accommodation needs will be met, and that they will meet the cost of travel back to your home country if necessary.
Accredited Companies/Employers
Production companies that employ foreign nationals on a variety of productions may apply to be an Accredited Employer.
Accreditation will be granted where Immigration New Zealand is satisfied that an employer or contractor:
- is in a sound financial position
- has a sound industry track record including a demonstrable knowledge of the New Zealand industry sector in which they operate
- has a demonstrable commitment to training and engaging New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders
- has good workplace practices, including a history of compliance with all immigration and employment laws
Accreditation for the Screen Sector is for a one year term and Accredited Companies can/may be audited. Applications are handled centrally through Immigration New Zealand and may take up to six weeks to process. A Labour Market Test is required from the relevant guild or association for the proposed positions to be filled.
How to Apply
For all visa requirements contact your local branch of the New Zealand Immigration Service. Its website lists all of its overseas offices and contains information on visa requirements.
Application Forms:
For further information see:
Letter of Support
If a letter of support from the relevant guild or union is submitted with your application, it will be assumed that there is no objection and the application will be processed immediately (with no three-day period for guild consideration).
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Overseas actors, presenters, performing artists and contestants can apply for a Letter of Support from
Actors' Equity.
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Visa-waiver countries
People from some countries don't need a visitor visa to enter New Zealand. However, they are still required to provide:
- travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements, and
- evidence of funds for maintenance (for more details see the Operational Manual on the Immigration New Zealand Website)
Short visits
If you are visiting for three months or less (for location scouting and/or preliminary meetings) and are from a country in the list below, you will not need a visitor visa.
| Andorra |
Argentina |
Austria |
| Bahrain |
Belgium |
Brazil |
| Brunei |
Bulgaria |
Canada |
| Chile |
Cyprus |
Czech Republic |
| Denmark |
Estonia* |
Finland |
| France |
Germany |
Greece***** |
| Hong Kong** |
Hungary |
Iceland |
| Ireland |
Israel |
Italy |
| Japan |
Korea (South) |
Kuwait |
| Latvia* |
Liechtenstein |
Lituania* |
| Luxembourg |
Malaysia |
Malta |
| Mexico |
Monaco |
Netherlands |
| Norway |
Oman |
Poland |
| Portugal*** |
Qatar |
Romania |
| San Marino |
Saudi Arabia |
Singapore |
| Slovak Republic |
Slovenia |
South Africa |
| Spain |
Sweden |
Switzerland |
| Taiwan****** |
United Arab Emirates |
United States of America**** |
| Uruguay |
Vatican City |
|
* Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien's (non-citizen's) passports issued by these countries.
** Residents of Hong Kong travelling on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National (Overseas) passports.
*** Portuguese passport holders must also have the right to live permanently in Portugal.
**** Including nationals of the USA.
***** Greek passport holders whose passports were issued on and after 1 January 2006. (Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 are not acceptable for travel after 1 January 2007.)
****** Permanent residents of Taiwan travelling on a Taiwanese passport. A personal identity number printed within the visible section of the biographical page of the Taiwan passport demonstrates that the holder is a permanent resident of Taiwan.
United Kingdom and Australia
British citizens and other British passport holders who produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK can visit for up to six months without a visitor visa.
Australian citizens and people who hold a current Australian permanent residence visa or a current Australian resident return visa do not need a New Zealand visitor visa to enter New Zealand.
