Indonesian Work Visa (Limited)

At a glance

This visa allows limited numbers of Indonesian citizens who hold a full-time New Zealand job offer in a specified occupation to be granted a work visa for up to three years. The visa is subject to occupation caps, a mandatory stand‑down period after the three‑year term, and work conditions tied to a specific employer and occupation [WI17.1][WI17.5].

How to apply

To apply, the applicant must submit a completed work visa application form together with the prescribed fee and immigration levy [WI17.5]. Applicants must be ordinarily and actually resident in Indonesia at the time of application [WI17.5]. A labour market check is not required for this visa category [WI17.5].

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:

• hold a full‑time New Zealand job offer in one of the occupations listed under these instructions (see the separate occupation schedules), and the offer must meet the requirements for a valid job offer under generic work visa instructions [WI17.5]
• meet any specific registration, qualification or experience requirements prescribed for their occupation [WI17.5]
• satisfy the health requirements set out in the relevant generic instructions [WI17.5]
• satisfy the character requirements set out in the relevant generic instructions [WI17.5]
• be a bona fide applicant who genuinely intends a temporary stay in New Zealand [WI17.5]
• be ordinarily and actually resident in Indonesia at the time of application, unless an exception applies [WI17.5]

Visa conditions for successful applicants:

• first entry to New Zealand must occur within six months [WI17.5]
• the work visa permits multiple entries and is valid for up to three years, depending on the length of the job offer [WI17.5]
• if the initial visa is valid for less than three years, a further visa may be granted for the balance of the three‑year period provided the applicant continues to meet all requirements [WI17.5]
• work is restricted to a specified employer in a specified occupation [WI17.5]

Interpretation & edge cases

• The further visa provision allows an applicant who received a shorter initial visa to obtain the remainder of the three‑year total, provided ongoing compliance with the relevant instructions [WI17.5].
• On completion of the three‑year period, the applicant must remain outside New Zealand for three years before applying for a further visa under these instructions [WI17.5].
• These instructions reflect New Zealand’s international trade commitments; decision‑makers should be aware of any applicable obligations [WI17.5].
• The occupation lists and specific qualification requirements are set out elsewhere in the WI17 instructions. Advisers should refer to those sections for the detailed criteria applicable to each occupation.
• Indonesian chefs: up to 100 chefs may hold a visa under this category at any one time; the job offer must be for a position of Indonesian chef assessed as equivalent to at least ANZSCO Skill Level 3, and the applicant must hold the relevant qualification and/or experience required by ANZSCO [WI17.10].
• Indonesian halal slaughterers: up to 20 halal slaughterers may hold a visa under this category at any one time; the job offer must be for a position of halal slaughterer assessed as equivalent to at least ANZSCO Skill Level 4, and the applicant must hold the relevant qualification and/or experience as set out for this occupation in ANZSCO [WI17.15].
• Indonesian Bahasa Teachers’ Aides: up to 20 aides may hold a visa under this category at any one time; the job offer must be for a position of Indonesian Bahasa Teachers’ Aide assessed as equivalent to at least ANZSCO Skill Level 4, and the applicant must hold the relevant qualification and/or experience required by ANZSCO [WI17.20].

Citations

• WI17.1 — Objective
• WI17.5 — Generic Requirements
• WI17.10 — Indonesian Chefs
• WI17.15 — Indonesian Halal Slaughterers
• WI17.20 — Indonesian Bahasa Teachers’ Aides