Thai Chefs Work Visa

At a glance

This visa allows citizens of Thailand who have an offer of full-time employment as a specialist Thai chef to work in New Zealand without the need for a labour market check, provided they hold one of the recognised Thai cooking qualifications and the required practical experience. [WI11]

How to apply

Applicants must provide an offer of full-time employment as a specialist Thai chef and evidence that they hold the appropriate Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate and the corresponding minimum number of years of practical experience as set out below. [WI11]

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this work visa, the applicant must: [WI11]

• Be a citizen of Thailand. [WI11]
• Hold an offer of full-time employment as a specialist Thai chef in New Zealand. [WI11]
• Meet one of the following qualification and experience combinations: [WI11]
  • Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 1 and five years of practical experience; or
  • Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 2 and four years of practical experience; or
  • Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 3 and three years of practical experience.

Interpretation & edge cases

Duration and renewals
A visa granted under these instructions allows a stay of up to three years, which may be extended by a further year to a maximum total period of four years. [WI11] After a total of four years in New Zealand on this visa, the person is not eligible for a further work visa under WI11 until they have spent at least three years outside New Zealand. [WI11]

Trade commitments
This visa reflects New Zealand’s international trade commitments. [WI11] It falls within the International/Humanitarian stream of work visas (see Work visa streams). [WI11]

Citations

• WI11 — Thai chefs