Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Visa

At a glance

• Who it's for: People aged under 55 who have exceptional talent in arts, culture, or sports and have achieved prominence in their field [WR2].

• Key requirement: A support arrangement with a New Zealand organisation of national repute [WR2]. No specific job offer or labour market test is required [WR2].

• Duration: Initially up to 30 months; followed by further stays of up to 24 months if the applicant remains associated with the supporting organisation [WR2].

• Residence pathway: May be eligible for residence under the Talent (Work to Residence) instructions after holding the visa for a specified period [WR2].

• Family: Partner and dependent children may be included in the application [WR2].

How to apply

• Gather evidence of exceptional talent and prominence in arts, culture, or sports, including awards, media coverage, expert endorsements, or other recognised indicators [WR2].

• Secure a written support arrangement from a New Zealand organisation of national repute active in the applicant's field [WR2]. This includes completing the Talent (Art, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form (INZ 1091), which must provide:

  • a statement of support for the application;
  • reasons why the applicant's presence will enhance New Zealand's accomplishments in the field;
  • a written undertaking of sponsorship from an acceptable sponsor confirming they will meet the obligations at E6.15 [WR2.15]. The sponsor does not need to be the supporting organisation [WR2.15].

• Provide supporting evidence of the national repute of the supporting organisation [WR2.15]. Also provide evidence that the sponsor meets the requirements at E6.10 [WR2.15].

• Complete the application forms:

  • Work Visa Application (INZ 1015) — the prescribed form for a work visa under these instructions [WR2.25].
  • Talent (Art, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form (INZ 1091) — must be submitted with the application [WR2.25].

• Meet health requirements: Submit a completed General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096), together with any associated medical or laboratory reports [WR2.25]. All medical and chest X-ray certificates must be less than 3 months old at the time the application is made, unless A4.25(c) applies [WR2.25]. Medical and chest X-ray certificates may be submitted directly to INZ by the physician who completes the examination [WR2.25].

• Meet character requirements: Provide police certificates from the applicant's country of citizenship and from any country in which the applicant has lived for 5 or more years since attaining the age of 17 [WR2.25]. Police certificates must be no more than 6 months old when the application is lodged, unless A5.10(d) applies [WR2.25].

• Lodge the application through the standard New Zealand visa process (paper or online as prescribed by INZ).

Eligibility criteria

• The applicant must have exceptional talent in one or more of arts, culture, or sports and have reached a point of prominence in that field [WR2].

• A written arrangement confirming support from a New Zealand organisation of national repute must be in place [WR2]. The organisation must be actively involved in the applicant's field and have standing at a national level [WR2].

• The applicant must be under 55 years of age at the time the application is lodged, unless the age limit is waived under special policy provisions [WR2].

• The applicant must comply with health and character requirements [WR2].

• There is no requirement for a job offer or for a labour market test [WR2].

• Additionally, to be granted a visa under these instructions the applicant must: [WR2.1]

  • have exceptional talent in a declared field of art, culture or sport (already reflected above) [WR2.1]
  • be supported by an organisation of national repute in that field (see WR2.10) [WR2.1]
  • have an acceptable sponsor (see E6.5) [WR2.1]
  • complete the Talent (Art, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form (INZ 1091) with a statement of support from the supporting organisation and a written sponsorship undertaking from an acceptable sponsor confirming they will meet the obligations at E6.15 [WR2.15]
  • be aged 55 or under, unless the age limit is waived under WR2.25.1 [WR2.1]
  • meet the health and character requirements for residence (A4 and A5) [WR2.1]
  • satisfy the Generic Temporary Entry instructions for lodging a temporary entry class visa (E4) and the bona fide applicant requirement (E5) [WR2.1]
  • meet the specific application lodging requirements in WR2.25 [WR2.1]

Under WR2.10, a 'New Zealand organisation of national repute' is defined as:

• a New Zealand organisation that has a nationally recognised record of excellence in a field of art, culture or sport; or

• a New Zealand organisation that has a nationally recognised record of excellence in fostering exceptional talent in a field of art, culture or sport [WR2.10].

• Work visas granted under these instructions will be endorsed with conditions allowing any work [WR2.1]. Self-employment is permitted, but visa holders cannot employ others, whether directly or indirectly through a business they own [WR2.1].

• The application must be accompanied by evidence of the supporting organisation's national repute and evidence that the sponsor meets the requirements at E6.10 [WR2.15].

Visa conditions, currency and travel

• An applicant who is in New Zealand may be granted a Talent work visa allowing stay and multiple entry travel for 30 months [WR2.1].
• An applicant outside New Zealand will be granted a visa with travel conditions requiring first entry within three months of grant; the visa then allows stay and multiple entry travel for 30 months from first arrival [WR2.1].

Interpretation & edge cases

• Exceptional talent and prominence are assessed by INZ on a case‑by‑case basis. To be satisfied of exceptional talent in a declared field of art, culture or sport, INZ requires the applicant to have an international reputation and record of excellence, still be prominent in that field, and that their presence will enhance the quality of New Zealand's accomplishments and participation in that field [WR2.5]. Evidence may include international awards, critical acclaim, peer recognition, or a track record of high‑level performance [WR2].

  In making this assessment, INZ may make enquiries with persons and organisations (including Creative New Zealand and the New Zealand Academy of Sport) associated with the applicant's field to verify the applicant's exceptional talent and the supporting organisation's national repute [WR2.20].

• National repute of the supporting organisation is evaluated by its stature within New Zealand, not internationally. A branch of a well‑known organisation that lacks a national profile in New Zealand may not meet the threshold [WR2].

• Sponsorship form (INZ 1091): The Talent (Art, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form is the prescribed document to evidence the support and sponsorship arrangement. The sponsor may be a natural person, organisation, or government agency that is an acceptable sponsor; it does not have to be the supporting organisation [WR2.15].

• Renewal: After the initial 30‑month period, further visa durations of up to 24 months at a time can be granted if the applicant continues to meet the exceptional talent requirement and the supporting organisation remains engaged [WR2].

• Age restrictions: While the general threshold is under 55, INZ may exercise discretion for applicants who demonstrate outstanding benefit to New Zealand [WR2].

• Transition from a temporary visa: If the applicant is already in New Zealand on a valid temporary visa, they may be able to apply onshore, subject to meeting all other criteria [WR2].

Subsequent work visa applications

An applicant who holds a Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) work visa can apply for a subsequent work visa under WR2.25.1 while a residence application under the Talent (Work to Residence) instructions is pending [WR2.25].

To be approved for a subsequent work visa, the applicant must:

• hold a current Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) work visa;
• have made a residence application under the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) residence instructions and a decision is yet to be made; and
• meet all requirements at WR2.1, except that the sponsorship form (INZ 1091) is not required (WR2.1(a)(iv)) [WR2.25].

The visa may be granted for the time needed to decide the residence application, up to a maximum of 24 months [WR2.25].

If the residence application is declined, the applicant is not eligible for further work visas under this instruction unless they are granted a new work visa under the WR2 instructions and have submitted a new residence from work application based on holding that new work visa for at least 24 months [WR2.25].

Despite E7.10(a)(ii), immigration officers may apply these instructions to any undecided work visa application under the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Instructions that was submitted before 28 September 2020 [WR2.25].

Citations

• WR2 — Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) work instructions
• WR2.1 — Who is eligible for a work visa under the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Instructions
• WR2.5 — Definition of 'exceptional talent in a declared field of art, culture or sport'
• WR2.10 — Definition of 'New Zealand organisation of national repute'
• WR2.15 — Support by New Zealand organisation of national repute and sponsorship by an acceptable sponsor
• WR2.20 — Determining applications for work visas under the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Instructions
• WR2.25 — Making an application for a work visa under the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Instructions