🇳🇿 New Zealand work visas for Filipinos 2026
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Filipinos moving to New Zealand from Philippines have 2 main visa routes: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Skilled Migrant Category Residence. The fastest is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) at 8–20 weeks. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
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Compare New Zealand visas for Filipinos: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)work | 8–20 weeks | $870 | Required | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled Migrant Category Residencework | 16–40 weeks | $3,000 | Required | Yes | Yes |
New Zealand visa guides for Filipinos
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
workNew Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa, valid up to five years, widely used for care, construction and trades roles. There are two parallel processes to satisfy: the New Zealand side, where your employer must hold accreditation and pass a job check, and the Philippine side, where the Department of Migrant Workers requires your employer's job offer to be verified through POLO at the Philippine Embassy in Wellington before you can obtain your Overseas Employment Certificate. The OEC is a mandatory exit clearance — required even for direct hires with no agency involved — and without it you will not be allowed to leave. Note the median wage was removed from the AEWV itself in March 2025, so pay must be market rate, but the NZD $35.00 median wage still governs supporting a partner and qualifying for residence. You also need at least two years of relevant work experience, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework — so the AEWV is not open to applicants with neither.
Skilled Migrant Category Residence
workPermanent residence through the points system, restructured on 24 August 2026 into three pathways: the existing 6-point route, plus new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways — the last of which matters for Filipino tradespeople and carers, whose experience previously counted for less than academic qualifications. You need six points from qualifications, occupational registration or income. Wage assessment at the residence application stage has been removed, so the median wage need only have been met when your skilled work experience began. Green List Tier 1 roles, including many nursing and health occupations heavily recruited from the Philippines, go Straight to Residence with a qualifying job offer, skipping the work visa stage entirely.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can Filipinos get a New Zealand work visa with no experience?
- Not on the main route. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) needs at least two years of relevant work experience, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework, so applicants with neither are not eligible. Many nursing and health roles on Green List Tier 1 go Straight to Residence with a qualifying job offer.Sources: Immigration New Zealand: Accredited Employer Work Visa; Immigration New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- Do Filipinos need an OEC for a New Zealand work visa?
- Yes. The Overseas Employment Certificate is a mandatory exit clearance, even for direct hires with no agency. The Department of Migrant Workers first has your employer's job offer verified through POLO at the Philippine Embassy in Wellington. Your employer meanwhile needs New Zealand accreditation and a job check, so both governments' steps run in parallel.Source: Immigration New Zealand: Hiring overseas workers from the Philippines
- Can Philippines citizens move to New Zealand?
- Yes. Philippines citizens have 2 main routes into New Zealand: the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Skilled Migrant Category Residence. Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest New Zealand visa for Filipinos?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) typically processes in 8–20 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Filipinos move to New Zealand without a job offer?
- Every New Zealand route we track for Filipinos currently requires a job offer from an employer in New Zealand.
- What is the cheapest New Zealand visa for Filipinos?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has the lowest government fee at about $870. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which New Zealand visas let Filipinos bring family?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Skilled Migrant Category Residence allow accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which New Zealand visas lead to permanent residency for Filipinos?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Skilled Migrant Category Residence offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a New Zealand work visa cost for Filipinos?
- Government fees for Filipinos are about $870 for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and $3,000 for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a New Zealand work visa take for Filipinos?
- Typical processing is 8–20 weeks for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and 16–40 weeks for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.