Teach in New Zealand

Early Childhood, Primary, and High School teachers can apply for a work visa if they obtain a job offer from a school in New Zealand that is accredited to offer an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Primary and high school teachers can apply for a Straight to Residence visa without applying for a temporary visa first. Early childhood teachers can qualify for residence after working for two years.

Teachers must meet all the other requirements for the visa, including having the necessary qualifications, registration, as well as a job offer from an accredited school. We can provide a complete wrap-around service at very competitive rates to you.

We recommend that overseas teachers interested in teaching in New Zealand follow the course of action below:

1. Teaching Qualifications Assessment:  You will need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the NZQA to verify your overseas teaching credentials. We can assist with this stage of your journey, ensuring your documents are submitted professionally and accurately as part of our comprehensive immigration service."
   
   The estimated cost for an IQA is NZD 746 and estimated timeframe is from 3 to 10 weeks.

2. Register as a Teacher: Following a successful NZQA assessment, you must apply to the Teaching Council for registration. Although this process is applicant-led, our team offers specialized support to manage the detailed requirements. We advise on collecting and checking critical documents such as national police certificates, language proficiency evidence, and letters of professional standing to ensure your application is comprehensive and compliant.
   
   The estimated cost for a Teacher Registration and Practicing Certificate is NZD 851 and estimated timeframe is from 6 to 12 weeks.

3. Search for Jobs: Finally, begin your search for teaching positions on the Education Gazette website. We can assist you by providing informal advice on New Zealand schools and their locations.

   Upon receiving your job offer, we will initiate your work visa application, ensuring a professional and timely submission to maximize the likelihood of first-time approval.

   The fee for an Accredited Employer Work Visa is NZD 1,540 and the processing timeframe is 6 weeks for 80% of applications.
   

4. With an AEWV, your partner can apply for a Partner of a Worker Visa or a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa if they do not intend to work. Your dependent children can apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa or a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa. School-aged children (primary or secondary) typically apply for a student visa to attend school as domestic students. Children under school age or those not studying typically apply for a visitor visa.

   Primary and high school teachers can also apply for a Straight to Residence Visa at the same time as for an AEWV and include their family in their residence application while Early Childhood teachers can apply for a Work to Residence Visa after working for two years and also include their family in their application.
   
   Please note that to apply for a residence visa you should be below the age of 56 when you lodge your application.

When you are ready to start the process for teaching in New Zealand and would like us to assist you in the immigration process please book a 15 minute initial consultation so we can discuss your plans. Please go to our Appointments  page and make a booking. Please also send us your CV through the Contact page before we have our meeting.

If you need any other information on teaching in New Zealand including the salary structure please send us an email and we will get back to you with the required information.