Trade qualifications and New Zealand work
Trades Migration to New Zealand
Different trades have different qualification, licensing and immigration requirements. Start with the work you are trained to do and the actual position offered, rather than treating all trade workers as one migration category.
Enquire About Trade Visa Pathways
Check the work visa requirements
The Accredited Employer Work Visa may be relevant to an eligible role with an accredited employer. The worker must meet the requirements for the role and visa; the employer's accreditation is not a guarantee of approval.
Record the offered duties, location, hours and pay. Make sure the job description matches the real work and identify any occupational registration needed before beginning it.
Qualification recognition and licensing
An NZQA International Qualification Assessment may be required to establish the New Zealand level and type of an overseas qualification. The need for an assessment depends on the purpose and applicable rules.
Regulated trades can involve additional steps. For example, electrical work has EWRB registration and practising-licence requirements. Do not assume that holding an immigration visa authorises every task within a regulated trade.
Residence requires its own assessment
The Skilled Migrant Category includes a Trades and Technician framework for specified occupations under the changes commencing 24 August 2026. It is not an automatic pathway for everyone described as a tradesperson.
Check the listed occupation, relevant qualification, post-qualification experience and qualifying New Zealand work requirements. Where relevant, compare the specific Green List entry and residence category instead of assuming the frameworks are interchangeable.
Prepare a verifiable work history
Keep apprenticeship or training records, certificates, employment dates and references explaining your duties. Identify changes in role and periods of self-employment. Use original records and explain gaps honestly rather than editing evidence to match a desired category.
Before relocating, clarify supervision, tools, worksite travel and any training costs with the employer. Keep immigration costs, professional recognition costs and ordinary moving expenses separate in your budget.
Does every trade qualify for residence?
No. The actual occupation and the relevant category's requirements must be checked. A temporary work visa is not a promise of residence.
What should I send in an initial enquiry?
A short description of your trade, qualification, experience, current location and any New Zealand offer is enough to start. Arrange an appropriate channel before providing identity or financial documents.
General information checked 18 September 2026. Sources: INZ: Skilled Migrant Category, NZQA qualification assessment and EWRB overseas-trained pathway.