Reasons for Work Visa Declines in New Zealand, Plus Ways to Avoid Them

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has identified many reasons explaining why a large number of work visa applications are declined; however, most of them can be avoided with proper preparation and assistance from someone who is knowledgeable in preparing and submitting an application to INZ. If you plan to apply for a work visa in New Zealand, you are at the right place, and the following sections of this guide will support you to get the job done successfully!

Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation:

It is common for a work visa application to be rejected because of missing or incorrectly submitted documentation. For example, an applicant may submit a request for a police clearance that is outdated, rather than current or valid, or they may provide an employment reference that was issued by INZ but does not meet INZ's standard. In these cases, an applicant who otherwise meets all of INZ's qualification criteria will likely see their work visa application declined even though they would have otherwise been a good candidate.

How to avoid it: Take time to go through the INZ's checklist for documents to be included with your submission. You should also have an immigration consultant read through your documents prior to sending them in for consideration. A second opinion by an expert may catch mistakes you would otherwise overlook.

Accreditation of Your Employer is Not Current

To obtain your visa via the AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) pathway, you need to have an employer who has an INZ-accredited status when you apply for your visa. If they do not have a valid accreditation or it has expired, your visa application will likely be denied.

How to avoid it: When you start your visa application process, make sure you check that your employer is currently accredited with INZ. At Zealand Immigration, we work with employers to ensure they are accredited and remain accredited to prevent situations where employees are left waiting for their visa applications to be processed.

Employers did Not Conduct a Job Check

Generally, the Job Check is an essential part of the recruitment process for most AEWV positions. Without it, employers risk having their applications declined due to missing job checks, not having enough advertisements for labour market opportunities, or providing a job description that does not align with the work being required.

How to avoid it: The employer must complete the Job Check before the worker can apply for his/her Work Visa. Specific criteria exist for this step, and it is strongly advisable to work with an experienced adviser to make sure this process is completed properly on the first try.

Salary Below the Minimum Threshold

Immigration New Zealand sets minimum pay requirements for most work visa categories. Most AEWV roles must pay at least the median wage (currently NZD $29.66 per hour). If your offer of employment doesn't meet this threshold, your application will be declined — regardless of how qualified you are.

How to avoid it: Before submitting, verify that your offered salary meets the current INZ threshold for your role. These figures do change, so always check against the most recent INZ guidance or ask an adviser.

Qualifications Do Not Match The Position

When INZ staff consider whether your qualifications and experience meet the criteria of an offer of employment, they want to know if you truly meet the requirements of that role. If there is a mismatch between your qualifications and/or experience and the position you applied for or your qualifications are being formally assessed overseas, your application could be declined.

How To Avoid It: The CV you submit with your application for a job with INZ should clearly reflect your suitability for that particular position. Don't think that just because your Australian qualifications have already been assessed, they will automatically qualify you in New Zealand; make sure you provide examples of your qualifications on your CV that will help INZ easily understand how you are qualified for this position.

Immigration History Issues

Prior visa overstays, Prior declines, and or a history of non-compliance can result in increased risk of a red flag. There is no automatic decline based solely on these issues; however, it is expected that your application accurately identifies any relevant immigration history; failure to do so, even if unintentional, will be treated as a serious violation.

How to avoid it: Complete transparency in completing your application. If you have an intricate immigration history, hiring an experienced advisor may be beneficial in presenting your immigration history accurately and including supporting documentation to address any issues or concerns INZ may have.

Health or Character Requirements Not Met

Applicants must meet both health & character requirements, including: 

• Providing a police clearance from each country where you have lived for more than 12 months since age 17.
• covering outdated documents or failing to disclose a criminal record.
• having a valid medical examination done by INZ-approved doctors.

How to avoid it: Start obtaining character certificates well ahead of time (some countries need months to process) and utilize an INZ-approved physician to perform your medical examination.

What to Do If You've Already Been Declined

If you have received a decline from your application for Permanent Residence/Residence Permit with INZ, don't lose hope! A Decline is not always the end of the road. Depending on the reason for the decline and your circumstances, there may still be options available to you.

You may be able to fix the issues identified in your Decline and reapply under some circumstances. There may also be an opportunity for you to request Reconsideration or respond to a PPI (Potentially Prejudicial Information) notice before a final decision is made on your application. Zealand Immigration assists people who regularly receive declines from INZ and will help you find the best way to move forward! Our licensed advisers can help you identify the real issues behind your application denial, support you (as required) in addressing those issues with INZ, and create the best possible case based on the information available to you!