Sending staff across the Tasman?

We work with many Kiwi businesses that send team members across the ditch for short-term specialised project work or business meetings.

Australian visas have their own unique set of rules and complexities.

Although most Kiwis will get a visa on arrival in Australia (unless there are serious character issues), New Zealand residents and permanent residents (non-New Zealand passport holders) don’t and will need to apply for the right visa or eTA (electronic travel authority) depending on nationality and travel purpose.

Short stay work visas are available for employees conducting highly specialised, non-ongoing work in Australia, and can be granted for three months, or six months with a strong business case. As with New Zealand, for non-eTA nationals, visitor visas can be granted allowing people to conduct business activities such as attending conferences or negotiating contracts, but a careful assessment is often needed to be sure you're applying for the right visa type. Longer-term work visas are also available with even more complex rules and multiple steps in the process.

On top of that, New Zealand-based applicants may need to attend in-person biometrics appointments and sometimes medical appointments before even short-stay visas can be granted, all of which add hurdles and delays, especially if you're unfamiliar with the process and in a hurry to get staff to conferences or on the ground for urgent project work.

Get in touch with our Australian visa team and plan ahead for trans-Tasman meetings and projects. We can help ensure the right visa option is selected and the process managed as smoothly and quickly as possible to avoid delays or missed opportunities. Contact Cameron Pritchard today.