China Skilled Workers Visa

At a glance

Chinese citizens with a full‑time New Zealand job offer in one of 20 specified skilled occupations can apply for this work visa. [WI13] There is no labour market test. [WI13] The visa allows up to three years of work for a named employer in the designated occupation. [WI13] Annual caps apply: no more than 100 visas for any single occupation and no more than 1,000 in total at any one time. [WI13] After the three‑year period, a further application cannot be made until the person has spent three years outside New Zealand. [WI13]

How to apply

Applications may be lodged from outside New Zealand, or in New Zealand if the applicant is lawfully present on a work visa, student visa, or a temporary visa granted for the purpose of obtaining NZ registration and registration has been obtained. [WI13] A completed work visa application form, fee, and immigration levy must be submitted. [WI13]

Applicants must hold a full‑time job offer from a New Zealand employer that meets the generic work visa job‑offer requirements incorporated by these instructions. [WI13] They must also provide evidence that they possess the qualifications and/or experience specified for their occupation (see Eligibility criteria below). [WI13] Health, character, and bona fide applicant requirements must be met. [WI13]

Eligibility criteria

• Nationality: citizen of the People's Republic of China [WI13]
• Job offer: full‑time New Zealand job offer in one of the occupations listed below [WI13]
• Occupation‑specific qualifications and experience: must meet the exact requirements set out in the table [WI13]
• Quotas: at any one time, not more than 100 Chinese nationals may hold a visa under these instructions in any single occupation, and not more than 1,000 in total [WI13]
• No labour market test [WI13]
• Health, character, and bona fide requirements apply [WI13]

Occupation	Requirement
Auditor	Degree (Level 7) majoring in accountancy and membership with NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants
Automotive electrician	National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Engineering, Automotive Electrical Engineering, or Automotive Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) (Level 4), strand in Electrical and Electronics
Boatbuilder	National Certificate in Boatbuilding (Level 4)
Computer Applications Engineer	Degree (Level 7) majoring in computer science, information science, or information technology, plus three years' relevant work experience
Design Engineer – Electronics / Product Engineer	Degree (Level 7) majoring in electronics, computer science, or telecommunications, plus three years' relevant work experience with at least 12 months in the past 18 months
Diesel Mechanic	National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Heavy Engineering) (Level 4)
Early Childhood Teacher	Level 7 qualification in Early Childhood Education (ages 0‑5) approved by the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and New Zealand registration
Electronics Technician	National Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) (Electronics) or a relevant degree (Level 7), plus three years' work experience with at least 12 months in the past 18 months
Electrician	NZ registration as an electrician with a Full or Limited Certificate from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
Film Animator	Degree (Level 7) in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Film, specialising in multimedia, computer graphics, digital design, computer programming, or software development
Fitter and Turner	National Certificate in Maintenance and Diagnostics in Mechanical Engineering (Level 5) or National Certificate in Engineering, Machining and Toolmaking (Level 5)
Fitter / Welder	National Certificate in Maintenance and Diagnostics in Mechanical Engineering (Level 5) or National Certificate in Engineering – Fabrication with strands in Welding or Heavy Fabrication (Level 5)
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer / Medical Radiation Therapist	Bachelor in Health Science specialising in Medical Radiation Therapy or Medical Imaging, and New Zealand registration
Motor Mechanic	National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Engineering) (Level 4)
Plumber	New Zealand Plumbing Registration
Registered Nurse	Bachelor of Nursing or Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing (diploma or hospital‑based certificate), and NZ registration
Senior Test Analyst	Degree (Level 7) in a relevant field (e.g. BTech in Electronics, BSc, BE), plus three years' work experience with at least 12 months in the past 18 months
Structural Engineer	Degree (Level 7) and registered on the International Professional Engineers Register, APEC Engineers Register, or hold a Washington Accord accredited engineering degree
University and Higher Education Lecturer / Tutor	Masters Degree or PhD
Veterinarian	NZ registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand

[WI13]

Interpretation & edge cases

Visa conditions and duration
Successful applicants are granted a work visa with multiple‑entry travel conditions for a maximum of three years from first arrival, depending on the length of the job offer. [WI13] First entry must be made within six months. [WI13] If the initial visa is granted for less than three years, a further visa may be granted for the balance of the three‑year period, provided the applicant still meets all requirements. [WI13] The visa is endorsed to allow work only for the specified employer in the specified occupation. [WI13]

Stand‑down
On completion of the three‑year period (from first arrival), the applicant must remain outside New Zealand for three years before applying for a further visa under these instructions. [WI13]

Alignment with Long Term Skill Shortage List
If an occupation appears on the Long Term Skill Shortage List and the qualification requirement for that occupation is lowered on that list, the WI13 qualification requirement is correspondingly lowered. [WI13]

Trade commitments
These instructions reflect New Zealand's international trade commitments (see E9). [WI13]

Quota administration
The numerical limits are hard caps; no discretion is expressed in WI13 to exceed them. [WI13]

Citations

• WI13 — China Skilled Workers Instructions