Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
Stay	Up to 30 months
Cost	From NZD $1,630
Processing	80% within 10 weeks
Eligibility timing	Age 55 or younger
Work rights	Any occupation, any employer
Study	Up to 3 months yearly
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple travel for 30 months
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Cannot include family initially
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Residence pathway	Apply after 2 years’ engagement
Arrival deadline	Within 3 months of grant

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Purpose

This visa is for people with exceptional talent in art, culture or sport. It provides a pathway to residence if you are actively engaged in your field in New Zealand for 2 years.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be 55 years old or younger.
• Have exceptional talent in art, sport or culture.
• Have an international reputation and remain prominent in your field.
• Show that your presence will enhance New Zealand’s achievements and/or participation in your field.
• Be supported by a New Zealand organisation of national repute in your field.
• Have an acceptable sponsor.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Genuinely intend to meet your visa conditions.

Your sponsor may be an individual, organisation or government agency. The sponsor and supporting organisation may be different.

Stay, Work and Study Rights

The visa allows you to:

• Stay in New Zealand for up to 30 months.
• Work in any occupation for any employer.
• Travel in and out of New Zealand for 30 months.
• Study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

For study longer than 3 months, apply for a variation of conditions.

Residence and Family

After being actively engaged in your talent field in New Zealand for 2 years, you may apply for residence.

You cannot include your partner or dependent children in this work visa application. They may apply for visas based on their relationship to you.

You may include your partner and dependent children in your residence application after 2 years of active engagement in your field.

Required Evidence

Identity

Provide:

• One acceptable photo for an online application, or two for paper.
• Passport or certificate of identity.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand.

Online applicants must upload a passport copy. Paper applicants must provide an original passport or certified copy.

Health

Provide a chest X-ray and medical examination.

Applicants from China, Hong Kong or Macao applying there 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 more than 6 months.

Character

If aged 17 or over, provide police certificates from:

• Your country of citizenship; and
• Any country where you lived for 5 years or more since turning 17.

Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when applying. Non-English certificates require an English translation.

Talent Evidence

Provide evidence of exceptional talent, such as:

• Qualifications or awards.
• Professional association membership.
• Support or recommendation letters.
• Other evidence showing your talent.

Organisation Support and Sponsorship

A representative of the supporting New Zealand organisation must complete Section B of the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form (INZ 1091).

Your sponsor must complete and sign the same form, declaring they will meet sponsorship requirements, including accommodation and financial support.

Application Steps

1. Apply online through Immigration New Zealand online services.
2. Provide identity, health, character, talent, organisation-support and sponsorship evidence.
3. Pay the applicable fee, starting from NZD $1,630.
4. Await a decision; 80% are processed within 10 weeks.
5. If granted, travel to New Zealand within 3 months.

Arrival and Travel

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

• Air travellers may submit it from 24 hours before travel begins.
• Sea travellers may submit it from 24 hours before departure from the last overseas port.

After arrival, you may travel in and out of New Zealand for 30 months.

Ongoing Conditions

While in New Zealand, you must:

• Continue to have support from a New Zealand organisation of national repute.
• Continue to have an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet all visa conditions recorded in your eVisa.
• Keep your visa in a valid passport when travelling.

If your passport expires, transfer your visa to a new passport before travelling. This requires old and new passports, INZ 1023, and a transfer fee.

Important Warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

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