Applications for Essential Skills work visas where an applicant is awaiting a Skilled Migrant Category decision
As per instructions WK2.5.1, you may be granted an Essential Skills work visa, valid for 12 months, without the usual requirement for evidence showing that New Zealand citizens or residents are not available to do the work offered, if:
you currently hold a temporary work visa; and
you have applied for an Essential Skills work visa to continue working in that role; and
you meet all other requirements of Essential Skills work visa instructions; and
you have been issued an Invitation to Apply under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and retain the ability to apply (see SM4.1), or have made an application for residence under the SMC and that application has not yet been completed; and
your Expression of Interest was selected in part on the basis of points claimed for skilled employment in the role you currently hold.
