Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa	Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa
Stay	Employer’s visa duration
Cost	From NZD $1,355
Processing	80% within 10 weeks
Age	18 or older
Eligibility timing	Three-year wait for new employer
Work rights	Domestic work for named employer only
Study	Not permitted
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple travel before expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Partner and children excluded
Visa record	Prior visa checked
MFAT support	Must not object
Working holiday holders	Cannot apply in New Zealand

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Purpose

This visa is for domestic workers employed by diplomatic, consular or official staff posted in New Zealand.

Your employer and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) must support the application.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 or older.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Genuinely intend to meet visa conditions.
• Be employed only for domestic work.
• Have an employer approved to bring domestic staff to New Zealand.
• Have MFAT Protocol Division confirmation that it does not object.
• Provide a signed employer Statement of Undertaking.
• Provide a signed Declaration of Acceptance.

You cannot apply if you are already in New Zealand on a working holiday visa.

Previous visa holders

If you previously held this visa for a different employer, you must wait 3 years before applying to work for another employer.

This waiting period does not apply if you will work for the same employer.

Stay and travel

Your visa can last for the same period as your employer’s diplomatic, consular or official visa.

You must leave New Zealand:

• Before your visa expires; or
• If your employment ends before your employer’s posting ends.

You may travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as permitted before visa expiry. Check your visa label or visa letter for travel conditions.

If you leave without multiple-entry travel conditions, your visa expires.

Work rights and conditions

You may work only:

• For the specific employer named in your visa; and
• At the location recorded in your visa.

You may perform domestic work such as work as a cook, nanny, driver or gardener.

You cannot:

• Work in an administrative or technical role.
• Do any other work in New Zealand.
• Study in New Zealand.
• Include your partner or dependent children in your application.

Employer obligations

Your employer must sign a Statement of Undertaking agreeing to:

• Employ you only for domestic work.
• Pay for your accommodation.
• Pay your living costs.
• Pay for your return home.

Your employer must explain your employment conditions in writing and in your own language.

Required evidence

Identity

Provide:

• Two acceptable head-and-shoulders photos.
• Your passport or certificate of identity.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand.

You may submit an original passport or certified copy. Immigration New Zealand may request the original passport.

China, Hong Kong and Macao requirements

Chinese citizens applying from China must also provide:

• Hukou household registration book.
• Chinese identity card.
• INZ 1027 supplementary form, if submitting a paper application.

Applicants applying within Hong Kong or Macao must also provide:

• Copy of identity card.
• INZ 1220 supplementary form, if submitting a paper application.

Health

You must be in good health. Immigration New Zealand may require a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.

Normally:

• Stays under 6 months: no chest X-ray required.
• Stays under 12 months: no medical certificate required.

Applicants applying within China, Hong Kong or Macao must provide a chest X-ray completed within the last 3 months if they:

• Spent 6 consecutive months in China since their last X-ray; and
• Will stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months.

Character

You may be refused if you have criminal convictions or are a security risk.

Provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, including time on previous visas. Provide them sooner if requested.

Police certificates must:

• Be less than 6 months old when submitted.
• Cover countries where you are a citizen.
• Cover countries where you lived more than 5 years since turning 17.

Police certificates are not required for applicants aged 16 or younger.

Previously submitted police certificates do not need to be resubmitted if they are less than 24 months old.

Employment and MFAT documents

Provide:

• Employer’s signed Statement of Undertaking.
• Your signed Declaration of Acceptance.

Immigration New Zealand may interview you.

Application and cost

The visa costs from NZD $1,355.

Processing time is 80% within 10 weeks.

Payment and submission instructions depend on your passport nationality and country details.

Arrival requirements

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).

• Air travellers can submit it from 24 hours before their journey begins.
• Sea travellers can submit it from 24 hours before their ship leaves its last overseas port for New Zealand.
• A paper form is available if you cannot complete it online.

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• Do not meet character requirements.
• Have had changed circumstances since visa issue.
• Refuse a photo, fingerprint or iris scan.