Blog Post

Are you aware that you can get a skilled work visa processed in as little as a week? This is now possible with the New Zealand Recovery Visa!

The Recovery Visa was introduced to help with the recovery efforts following extreme weather events that have affected communities and businesses in the North Island of New Zealand. This visa allows employers to sponsor experts such as engineers, technicians, and insurance assessors to come to New Zealand and provide direct support for the recovery efforts.

If you are looking for a short-term job opportunity in New Zealand and have the necessary skills and experience to assist with the recovery efforts, the Recovery Visa might be a great option for you. Let’s dive into the details of this visa and how you can apply for it.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Recovery Visa, you must be a migrant worker who is coming to New Zealand for a short time (up to 6 months) to do a job that supports the North Island recovery from extreme weather events that occurred in January and February 2023. You must have the necessary skills and experience required for the role you are applying for, and your employer must confirm that the role supports the recovery efforts by completing a Recovery Visa Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1377).

Roles Covered

The Recovery Visa covers a range of roles that support the recovery efforts, including:

• Providing emergency response
• Immediate clean-up
• Assessing risk or loss
• Infrastructure, building, and housing stabilisation and/or repair (including planning functions)
• Work that directly supports the recovery (e.g. producing relevant materials for road rebuild, transport drivers, etc.)

It’s important to note that this visa is not available to industries providing indirect support, such as businesses in the affected areas facing an increased demand for services, or to backfill vacancies of people leaving roles to work on the recovery. These employers will be able to access labour through other visas such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

How to Apply

Applying for the Recovery Visa is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply:

Step 1: Find a Job The first step to apply for the Recovery Visa is to find a job that supports the recovery efforts in the North Island. Once you’ve found a job, your employer will need to complete the Recovery Visa Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1377) to confirm that the role supports the recovery efforts.

Step 2: Complete the Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1377) Your employer will download and complete the Recovery Visa Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1377) and provide it to you. You must include the completed form with your visa application.

Step 3: Apply for the Visa You can apply for the Recovery Visa online by completing the Specific Purpose Work visa application. When applying online, you must select ‘Specific Purpose or Event’ as the type of work visa you are applying for. Then, select ‘Other’ as the type of specific purpose or event you are coming to New Zealand for, and write ‘Recovery Visa’ in the box that appears. Finally, select ‘6 months or less’ as the length of stay in New Zealand, and upload the Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1377) as the ‘Evidence required for your Special Purpose or Event work visa’ in the ‘Upload Documents’ section.

Step 4: Wait for a Decision: Immigration New Zealand processes Recovery Visa applications within a week or less. Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a decision from Immigration New Zealand.

Refund Policy

The Recovery Visa costs NZD $700, but the fee will be refunded automatically for successful applicants. Refunds are expected to take 15 to 25 days to process, depending on the demand for the new visa. Once the refund has been processed, confirmation will be provided via the email address listed as the contact in the application.

That’s it! Applying for the Recovery Visa is a quick and easy process, and if you’re eligible, you can get a skilled work visa processed in as little as a week.

The Recovery Visa is an excellent opportunity for eligible migrant workers to come to New Zealand and support the North Island’s recovery from extreme weather events. If you are eligible, we encourage you to apply for the Recovery Visa. With a simple application process, a quick processing time, and a refund policy for successful applicants, there’s no reason not to take advantage of this opportunity.

More on working in New Zealand

• Guide to New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa
• How To Get A Skilled Migrant Visa For New Zealand

Rules are only half the problem. The other half is finding an employer willing to sponsor, so when you are ready, browse shortage jobs in New Zealand with visa sponsorship on our board.