The Process Explained
Bringing an international worker into New Zealand is a two-step process.
1. Applying for nomination under the class exception
The first step of the approval process is to supply specific documentation to DairyNZ for assessment. The documentation relates to the international worker, and their partner and/or dependents, you would like to bring in and your confirmation that you believe you and they meet the criteria of the class border exception. This information will allow DairyNZ to determine if you as the employer have a genuine need to employ the international worker, will meet all the required costs and obligations as provided to us by the government, and that the international worker has the experience required to fulfil the role.
Once DairyNZ have assessed and nominated the application for a class border exception, we will pass on both your name as the employer and your international workers name, and those of their partner and/or dependents, to MPI for their confirmation of the nomination. The document DairyNZ will provide to MPI is the ‘checklist’.
Once MPI have reviewed and confirmed DairyNZ’s nomination, MPI will pass on both your name as the employer and your international workers name, and those of their partner and/or dependents, to INZ. You are then required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form on the INZ website, providing the relevant supporting information to INZ. Please note, the cost of submitting an EOI form to INZ is $380, which is payable at the time of submission.
Do not submit your EOI until you have received confirmation from DairyNZ that MPI has shared the names and details of your workers, and their partner and/or dependents, to INZ. It is recommended that you provide all your approved international workers on one EOI to save costs, but do not include any non-approved names otherwise, the entire EOI will be declined and need to be resubmitted at a further cost of $380.
You will be notified by INZ when your EOI is processed and either approved or declined. Note DairyNZ processes applications based on the immigration instructions and our industry requirements. In general, these align with Immigration New Zealand, however, it is important to understand that DairyNZ can only make decisions based on the information provided. Immigration New Zealand has access to all information relating to international workers if they have worked in New Zealand before. Sometimes this means different decisions can be made by them.
2. Obtaining visas for your workers
Step two begins with INZ inviting your worker to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa. This is called an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and will be sent by email. The worker themselves must complete the application form and provide any additional relevant information requested by INZ.