Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ’s) Essential Skills in Demand lists help determine the skills that New Zealand needs at any given time. Work visas may be granted to foreign nationals who have a job offer in one of the identified skills shortage areas allowing them to  work in a specific position, for a specific employer at a specific location.
 
INZ maintains two ‘Essential Skills in Demand’ lists.  They are reviewed with employers and industry bodies twice a year. 

1. Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL)

• identifies those occupations where there is a sustained and ongoing shortage of skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand.

People who gain employment in one of these areas may be granted a work visa under the LTSSL Work to Residence category and may apply for residence after two years.

Candidates for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category who have an offer of employment, work experience or qualifications in an area of absolute skill shortage identified on the LTSSL will gain bonus points towards their application for residence.

See the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL).

2. Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL)

• for occupations that have an immediate shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand. It is designed to facilitate the approval of temporary work visa applications.

If an applicant produces an offer of employment in an occupation that is included on the current ISSL, immigration officers will accept that no suitably qualified New Zealand citizens or residents are available.

See the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL).

Other options

You can also apply for an Essential Skills work visa if you have a job offer and your potential employer can show the following:

• That there are no New Zealanders who can do, or be readily trained to do, the job; and
• That they have advertised the job locally and have been unable to find a NZ citizen or resident available to fill the position.
 

Learn more about this visa and if it’s right for you.