Thai Chefs Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Thai Chefs Work Visa
Stay	Up to 4 years
Cost	From NZD $1,355
Processing	80% within 10 weeks
Eligibility	Thai citizen; qualifying chef offer
Eligibility timing	Reapply after three years abroad
Work rights	Thai chef, named employer/location
Study	Up to three months yearly
Training	Employer-required training permitted
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entries before expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Cannot include family application
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Extension	Another year may be requested

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Purpose

This visa allows eligible Thai citizens to work in New Zealand as a Thai chef.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be a citizen of Thailand and hold a valid Thai passport.
• Have a full-time offer to work as a Thai chef.
• Meet health, character and genuine-intentions requirements.
• Have the required Thai cooking qualification and practical experience.

Job offer

Provide an employment agreement stating:

• Employer name and contact details.
• Job description.
• Working hours and pay rate.
• Length of the job offer.

The job offer may be for up to 3 years. Your permitted stay depends on the offer length.

Qualifications and experience

Provide evidence of one of the following:

Qualification	Required practical experience
Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 1	5 years
Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 2	4 years
Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 3	3 years

Stay and reapplication

You may stay for up to 4 years.

If you have already spent 4 years in New Zealand on this visa, you may apply again only after spending 3 years outside New Zealand.

You may apply for an extension to stay for another year.

Cost and processing

• Cost: From NZD $1,355.
• Processing time: 80% of applications within 10 weeks.
• Payment and submission information depends on your passport nationality details.

Rights and conditions

Work

You may work only as a Thai chef for the employer and at the location specified on your visa.

You must pay tax on New Zealand earnings. You can apply online for an IRD number through Inland Revenue.

Study and training

You may:

• Study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.
• Complete employer-required training as part of your employment.

Travel

You may leave and re-enter New Zealand as often as you wish before the visa expires.

Visa expiry

You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires. To stay longer, you must apply for and be granted a different visa.

Family provisions

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

Required evidence

Identity

Provide:

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

Your passport must remain valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand. You may provide an original passport or certified copy; Immigration New Zealand may request the original.

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 do not require a chest X-ray.
• Stays under 12 months do not require a medical certificate.

Character

You must be of good character. A criminal conviction or security risk may prevent visa approval.

Provide police certificates when:

• Your total New Zealand stay will be 24 months or more across all visits; or
• Immigration New Zealand asks for them.

Police certificates must:

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

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates. Previously submitted police certificates need not be resubmitted if less than 24 months old.

Genuine intentions

You must genuinely intend to comply with visa conditions. Immigration New Zealand considers your supporting information, personal circumstances, and previous applications.

Arrival obligations

Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration before arrival:

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

Customs and biosecurity entry requirements also apply.

Important warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• No longer meet character requirements.
• Have had a change in circumstances since visa grant.
• Refuse a photo, fingerprint or iris scan.