Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa

At a glance

The Specific Purpose or Event work visa enables applicants to enter New Zealand for a defined, time-bound purpose or event that falls within one of the categories set out in immigration instructions [WS2.1]. The visa is designed for situations where the work is not open-ended or permanent, and where the applicant is suitably qualified for the specific engagement [WS2.1].

Categories of eligible purposes and events include senior business secondments, intra-corporate transfers, sports players and coaches, entertainment industry workers, installers of specialised equipment, referees and judges, dance and music examiners, Philippines nurses seeking registration, and certain residence-class applicants transitioning from temporary visas [WS2.1]. A catch-all category also exists for other specific purposes or events where the circumstances justify a grant [WS2.1].

Visa duration is tied to the time required to complete the purpose or event, subject to maximum periods that vary by category — ranging from 3 months to 36 months for an initial visa, with some categories permitting further visas up to a total stay of 72 months [WS2.1].

How to apply

Applicants must demonstrate they meet the requirements set out for their specific category in the table at WS2.1.1 [WS2.1]. The evidence required depends on the category but commonly includes:

• A job offer meeting generic work visa requirements (for employed categories) together with a completed Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) [WS2.1]
• Evidence of the specific purpose or event, such as an invitation, schedule of events, or secondment terms [WS2.1]
• Evidence the applicant is suitably qualified — for example, as senior or specialist personnel, or as a professional sports player or coach [WS2.1]
• Evidence of sufficient funds for maintenance in New Zealand, where required by the category [WS2.1]

Applications for a further Specific Purpose or Event work visa from a person already holding one must be declined unless the relevant category explicitly permits a further visa and the immigration officer is satisfied that a further grant is necessary to complete the original specific purpose or event [WS2.1].

Applicants who currently hold a visitor visa granted under the Guardians accompanying students to New Zealand instructions (V3.100) must not be approved for a work visa under this category [WS2.1].

Eligibility criteria

Core requirements

An immigration officer must be satisfied of all five of the following before granting a Specific Purpose or Event work visa [WS2.1]:

1. Specific purpose or event: the applicant will be in New Zealand to complete a specific purpose or event described in Column A of the table at WS2.1.1 [WS2.1]
2. Evidence: the applicant has demonstrated they meet the work visa requirements set out in Column B of that table by providing the specified evidence [WS2.1]
3. Time-bound: the work is not open-ended or permanent [WS2.1]
4. Suitably qualified: the applicant is suitably qualified to undertake the work [WS2.1]
5. Health and character: the applicant meets health requirements (A4) and character requirements (A5) [WS2.1]

Categories of specific purposes and events

Business-related categories

Senior or specialist business people on short-term secondments (category a): applies to those with a job offer in a substantial New Zealand company or a New Zealand subsidiary of an overseas company. Applicants must provide evidence of a job offer, a completed Employer Supplementary Form, evidence of senior or specialist status, secondment terms, and funds. Initial visa: up to 12 months. Further visas: total stay up to 24 months [WS2.1].

Intra-corporate transferees (category b): applies to executives, senior managers, or specialist personnel seconded to a multinational company in New Zealand. Evidence of the applicant's status as senior manager, executive, or specialist personnel is required, along with secondment terms and funds. Initial visa: up to 36 months. Further visas: total stay up to 72 months [WS2.1].

Business people exceeding 3 months in a year (category c): for business people who need to be in New Zealand for periods exceeding 3 months in any one year and can demonstrate genuine reasons. Evidence of time needed and business activities is required. Initial visa: up to 12 months. No further Specific Purpose or Event visa is available [WS2.1].

Migrant Investment and Parent Retirement applicants (category d): for principal applicants under Migrant Investment instructions or the Parent Retirement Category who have been approved in principle and are investigating or making direct investments. No additional evidence is required. Initial visa: 12 months. Further visas: total stay up to 24 months for Investor 1, or up to 18 months for Investor 2 [WS2.1].

Active Investor Plus applicants (category e): for principal applicants under the Active Investor Plus visa category who have been approved in principle and are arranging transfer or investment of funds. No additional evidence required. Initial visa: 12 months. No further Specific Purpose or Event visa is available [WS2.1].

Sports and events categories

Referees or judges of sports events, shows, displays, or exhibitions (category f): requires an invitation or schedule of events and evidence of funds. Initial visa: for the period of engagement, not normally more than 6 months. No further Specific Purpose or Event visa [WS2.1].

Dance and music examiners (category g): for examiners of recognised international teaching institutions. Requires an invitation or schedule of events and evidence of funds. Initial visa: for the period of engagement, not normally more than 6 months. No further Specific Purpose or Event visa [WS2.1].

Sports players and professional sports coaches (category i): for those taking up a paid position in a New Zealand sports club. Professional players and coaches at national or regional level: initial visa up to 36 months, with further visas allowing a total stay of up to 36 months. Other players and coaches: initial visa up to 12 months, with no further Specific Purpose or Event visa available. Evidence requirements depend on professional status [WS2.1].

Entertainment category

Entertainment industry workers (category j): covers entertainers, performing artists, film and video production crew, and associated support personnel. Evidence is required by the entertainment industry instructions [WS3].

Employers, promoters, agents or producers must complete the Performing Artists, Entertainers and Entertainment Industry Work Visa Application Supplementary Form (INZ 1187) and provide evidence that [WS3.1]:

• the applicant is of international distinction, or particular ethnic significance, or is manifestly essential to the presentation or production; or
• the applicant's engagement does not put at risk the engagement 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
• they have given appropriate consideration to engaging available New Zealand entertainers or professionals.

They must also provide the full names, nationalities, dates and places of birth of each applicant, production information, and a guarantee of accommodation and repatriation for each applicant [WS3.1].

If applicable, evidence must be provided of an applicant's engagement on an official co-production, with an accredited company, or with a company that has been granted approval in principle to recruit entertainment industry workers [WS3.1].

Additionally, the employer must obtain the agreement of the relevant New Zealand performers’ union or professional association as set out at WS3.10, unless the engagement is 14 days or less, is an official co-production, or with a company that holds entertainment industry accreditation (see WS3.15) [WS3.5].

Union consultation and agreement process (WS3.10): Immigration officers must sight evidence that the information required by WS3.1(a) has been supplied to the relevant performers' union(s) or professional association(s) [WS3.10]. Details of the relevant unions or professional associations are published on the Immigration New Zealand website [WS3.10]. If the union or professional association does not object, an immigration officer may grant a work visa [WS3.10]. If the union or professional association objects, it must notify INZ within three working days of receiving the information [WS3.10]. INZ will then consult with the parties to resolve the disagreement as quickly as possible [WS3.10]. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, INZ will refer the application to the Minister of Immigration for a decision [WS3.10]. In the case of film production, INZ may also seek advice from the New Zealand Film Commission or any other appropriate industry or government organisation [WS3.10].

Entertainment industry accreditation (WS3.15)

Accredited entertainment industry companies may offer employment to non-New Zealand workers without obtaining the agreement of the relevant union, guild, or professional association [WS3.15]. Employment includes engagement of an independent contractor under a contract for services [WS3.15]. Companies holding employer accreditation under the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Instructions are considered to hold accreditation under these entertainment industry instructions as well [WS3.15].

Requirements for accreditation: An employer must satisfy INZ that they are in a sound financial position, have a sound industry track record, have demonstrable knowledge of the New Zealand industry sector, have a demonstrable commitment to training and engaging New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders, and have good workplace practices including a history of compliance with all relevant immigration and employment laws [WS3.15]. INZ will also consider the period the employing organisation has been established, and whether the employer has engaged with the relevant union, guild, or professional organisation [WS3.15]. For Single Purpose Vehicle production companies, INZ will consider the length of the parent company's involvement in New Zealand [WS3.15].

Applicants must consent to INZ seeking compliance information from other parts of MBIE, WorkSafe, and the Accident Compensation Corporation; an application for accreditation will be declined if consent is not given [WS3.15]. INZ will decline an application where accreditation would create unacceptable risks to the integrity of New Zealand's immigration or employment laws [WS3.15]. INZ will rescind an employer's accreditation if the employer's conduct has created an unacceptable risk to the integrity of immigration or employment laws; rescission decisions require the consent of the Minister of Immigration [WS3.15].

Applying for accreditation: Applications for accreditation and renewals must be made on the INZ form Entertainment Industry Accreditation Application (INZ 1197), accompanied by documents demonstrating that the employer meets the requirements for accreditation [WS3.15]. A fee is payable; a lower fee applies for a renewal of accreditation [WS3.15].

Determining an application: INZ must be satisfied that the information and documents included in an application are genuine and accurate, and may take any steps it considers necessary to verify them, including interviews [WS3.15]. INZ will consult with relevant unions or professional associations and other industry organisations when determining whether an employer has a sound industry track record, knowledge of the relevant New Zealand industry sector, a commitment to training and engaging New Zealand citizens and residence class visa holders, and good workplace practices [WS3.15].

Length and renewal: Accreditation is granted for an initial period of 12 months, and may be renewed for additional two-yearly periods upon application, provided INZ is satisfied the employer still meets the requirements for accreditation [WS3.15].

Reconsideration: There is no statutory right of appeal against the decision to decline an application for accreditation. However, INZ will reconsider a declined application where new information is promptly provided [WS3.15].

Initial visa: for the period of engagement. Further visas can be granted if the engagement is extended [WS2.1].

Specialised workers

Installers or servicers of specialised machinery or equipment (category h): applies where installing or servicing equipment is a condition of purchase from an overseas supplier. Requires evidence of the purchase condition and funds. Initial visa: up to 3 months in any 12-month period. No subsequent Specific Purpose or Event visa within a 12-month period [WS2.1].

Philippines nurses seeking registration (category k): for Philippines nurses with a job offer from a District Health Board who have been accepted for the Nursing Council's Competence Assessment Programme. Requires evidence of the job offer, Employer Supplementary Form, acceptance for the programme, and funds. Initial visa: 3 months. No further Specific Purpose or Event visa [WS2.1].

Residence-transition categories

Entrepreneur Residence applicants (category l): for principal applicants under the Entrepreneur Residence Visa Category who hold a valid visa under the Entrepreneur Work Visa Category or Long Term Business Visa Category. No additional evidence required. Initial visa: 9 months. No further Specific Purpose or Event visa [WS2.1].

Business Investor Residence applicants (category m): for principal applicants under Business Investor Visa resident visa instructions who hold a valid Business Investor work visa. No additional evidence required. Initial visa: 9 months. No further Specific Purpose or Event visa [WS2.1].

Catch-all category

Other specific purposes or events (category n): a residual category for people who need to come to New Zealand for any other specific purpose or event where the objectives of the Specific Purpose or Event instructions are met and the circumstances justify a grant. Applicants must provide evidence of the specific purpose or event, evidence satisfying the immigration officer that it is not possible or appropriate for a New Zealand citizen or resident to take up the work, and evidence of funds. Where the applicant will be employed, a job offer and Employer Supplementary Form are also required. Initial visa: for the period of engagement. Further visas can be granted if the engagement is extended [WS2.1].

Definitions

For the purpose of these instructions, key terms have the following meanings [WS2.5]:

• Senior manager or executive means a person who:

  • is a senior employee of an organisation; and
  • has been employed by that organisation for at least 12 months before their proposed transfer to New Zealand; and
  • is responsible for the entire organisation's operations in New Zealand, or a substantial part of it, while receiving general supervision or direction principally from higher level executives, the board of directors or stockholders of the business. [WS2.5]

• Specialist personnel means a person:

  • who is being transferred to undertake a specific or specialist task at a senior level within the company; and
  • possesses knowledge of the organisation's service, research equipment, techniques or management. [WS2.5]

• Professional sports coach means a person who has a paid position in a New Zealand sports club to engage in a primary role of coaching. [WS2.5]

• Professional sports player means a person who has a paid position in a New Zealand sports club to engage in a primary role of competing and training in that sport. [WS2.5]

• National or regional level means representing a sports club in a top tier national, trans-Tasman, or international competition. [WS2.5]

Interpretation & edge cases

The "not possible or appropriate" test for category (n)

For the catch-all category (n), an immigration officer must consider whether it would be possible or appropriate for a New Zealand citizen or resident to undertake the work. Factors that may be taken into account include whether the work requires a person to be primarily based in New Zealand on a long-term or permanent basis, whether the work is for a New Zealand employer under a New Zealand employment agreement, and whether the work requires attributes that automatically exclude New Zealand citizens or residents — such as foreign security clearance or a special programme only offered to nationals of certain countries [WS2.1].

It is explicitly not relevant whether the employer has been unable to recruit New Zealanders. If it would be appropriate for a New Zealand citizen or resident to take up the work but the employer has not found a suitable candidate, an application should be made under Accredited Employer Work Visa instructions (WA4) instead [WS2.1].

Further visa restrictions

A person already holding a Specific Purpose or Event work visa who applies for a further visa under the same category must be declined unless both conditions are met: the category in Column D of WS2.1.1 explicitly allows a further visa, and the immigration officer is satisfied that the further grant is necessary to complete the original specific purpose or event [WS2.1]. This means that even for categories that permit further visas, an extension is not automatic — it must be tied to completion of the original purpose [WS2.1].

Restriction on guardians

Applicants who currently hold a visitor visa granted under V3.100 (Guardians accompanying students to New Zealand) must not be approved for any work visa under the Specific Purpose or Event category [WS2.1].

Visa currency and conditions

The currency of a Specific Purpose or Event work visa must be consistent with the time required to complete the purpose or event, up to the maximum duration specified for that category [WS2.1]. Where a category specifies a total stay limit, this includes the duration of the initial visa [WS2.1]. An immigration officer must ensure the visa period granted does not exceed what is necessary [WS2.1].

In addition, the visa must be granted with the following specific currency and conditions [WS2.10]:

1. A first entry date sufficient to allow the applicant time to travel to New Zealand, if the applicant is outside New Zealand (generally up to six months) [WS2.10].
2. A stay in New Zealand for sufficient time to complete their purpose, up to the maximum stated in Column C or D of WS2.1.1, starting from either [WS2.10]:
   • the applicant's first arrival in New Zealand if the applicant is outside New Zealand; or
   • from the date the visa is granted if the applicant is in New Zealand.
3. Multiple entries for the duration of the visa [WS2.10].
4. The conditions appropriate to the holder's work in New Zealand (i.e. "The holder may only work as [occupation] for [employer or New Zealand entity] in [New Zealand location of the work]") [WS2.10].

Definition of employment for entertainment workers

For the purposes of the entertainment industry instructions, employment includes engagement of an independent contractor under a contract for services [WS3.1].

Citations

• WS2.1 — Who is eligible for a Specific Purpose or Event work visa
• WS2.5 — Definitions
• WS2.10 — Currency and conditions of specific purpose or event visa
• WS3 — Performing Artists, Entertainers and Entertainment Industry workers
• WS3.1 — Requirements
• WS3.5 — Referral to the relevant New Zealand performers' union or professional association
• WS3.10 — Obtaining the agreement of the relevant New Zealand performers' union or professional association
• WS3.15 — Entertainment industry accreditation