WL Silver Fern Work Policies
New Silver Fern Work policies which consist of the Silver Fern Job Search visa/permit and the Silver Fern Practical Experience visa/permit have been established.
Silver Fern Job Search Policy
This policy will allow young people with recognised qualifications to enter New Zealand in search of skilled employment for up to nine months. A limit of 300 places per year will be available. This quota will be managed by an online application system and the annual quota will open on 27 April.
To be issued with a Silver Fern Job Search Visa, applicants must:
- be aged between 20 and 35 years
- be outside of New Zealand
- hold a qualification that meets the Silver Fern Job Search Policy qualification
requirements and the requirements for recognition under the Skilled Migrant
Policy - meet the English language requirements
- have a minimum of NZ$4,200 maintenance funds during the period of stay in
New Zealand - be genuine in their intention to gain skilled employment
- meet temporary entry health and character requirements, and
- have not previously been issued a Silver Fern Job Search visa.
Silver Fern Practical Experience Policy
To be issued with a Silver Fern Practical Experience visa/permit applicants must:
- hold a Silver Fern Job Search permit or a Silver Fern Practical Experience permit
- hold an offer of skilled employment, and that employment is for a term of at
least 12 months - meet temporary entry health and character policy requirements, and
- not have held Silver Fern Practical Experience visas/permits totalling more than
two years.
The Silver Fern Practical Experience visa/permit will be issued for the duration of the applicant’s offer of employment up to a maximum of two years. If an applicant has a short term contract and obtains further employment they can apply for a further work visa/permit until they reach the maximum of two years.


