Republic of Korea Special Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Republic of Korea Special Work Visa
Stay	Up to 3 years
Cost	From NZD $1,355
Processing	80% within 10 weeks
Annual availability	50 for each job
Eligibility timing	Apply while living in Korea
Work rights	Restricted occupation, employer, location
Study	Up to 3 months yearly
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple travel until expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Partner and children apply separately
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Arrival deadline	Within 6 months of grant

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Purpose

This visa allows eligible Republic of Korea citizens to work in a specified Republic of Korea Special Work occupation in New Zealand.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be a citizen of the Republic of Korea.
• Live permanently in the Republic of Korea.
• Be living in the Republic of Korea when applying.
• Have a full-time job offer in an approved special work occupation.
• Have the required qualifications and/or experience.
• Meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements.

If applying for another visa to complete the three-year maximum period, you may apply while in New Zealand.

Stay and future applications

Your stay depends on the length of your job offer, up to three years.

If granted less than three years, you may apply for another visa for the remaining period if you continue meeting all requirements.

After the visa expires, you may apply for another Republic of Korea Special Work Visa only after being outside New Zealand for three years.

Work, study and travel rights

Work

You may work only:

• In the occupation specified on your visa.
• For the employer specified on your visa.
• In the location specified on your visa.

Study

You may study for up to three months in any 12-month period.

Travel

You must enter New Zealand within six months after the visa is granted.

Once in New Zealand, you may travel in and out as often as you like until the visa expires.

Family provisions

You cannot include your partner or dependent children in your application.

They may apply separately for visas based on their relationship with you.

Required evidence

Identity and citizenship

Provide:

• Two acceptable head-and-shoulders photographs.
• A valid Republic of Korea passport.
• Your passport or certificate of identity.

Your passport must remain valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand.

Residence and location

Provide evidence that you:

• Currently live in the Republic of Korea, such as utility bills or pay slips.
• Permanently reside there, such as mail to your home address or employer references.

Job offer

Provide an employment agreement stating:

• The approved special work occupation.
• Employer name and contact details.
• Pay and employment conditions.
• Full-time working hours.
• Contract length.
• Required qualifications or experience.

Qualifications and registration

Provide evidence of the qualifications and/or experience required for the occupation.

Veterinarians must provide a certified copy of registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand.

Health

You must provide:

• A chest X-ray.
• A medical examination.

Character

Police certificates are required if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more across all visits, or if Immigration New Zealand requests them.

Police certificates must:

• Be less than six months old when submitted.
• Cover countries of citizenship and countries where you spent over five years since age 17.
• Include an English translation if not in English.

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates.

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

Application steps

1. Confirm your occupation is an approved Republic of Korea Special Work occupation.
2. Obtain a full-time employment agreement.
3. Gather identity, residence, health, character and qualification evidence.
4. Apply while living in the Republic of Korea, unless applying for the remaining three-year period from New Zealand.
5. Pay the applicable fee and submit the application.

Arrival and obligations

Before travel, complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

• Air travellers: from 24 hours before the journey begins.
• Sea travellers: from 24 hours before departure from the last overseas port.

You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

Important warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• No longer meet character requirements.
• Have changed circumstances since the visa was granted.
• Refuse a photo, fingerprint or iris scan.

Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.