Au Pair in New Zealand: Visa & Legal Steps

This guide details the specific entry permit and formal steps required to become an Au Pair in New Zealand. The main channel for entry is the Working Holiday Visa (WHV). Click here if you want to check the general qualifications and program regulations for Au Pairs and Host Families in New Zealand.

General Required Documentation

Before applying for your visa, make sure you have the following documents ready:

Valid Travel Document

Current valid passport

Working Holiday Visa Eligibility

You must meet all criteria for the WHV

Host Family Agreement

A signed Au Pair contract

Proof of Funds

Confirmation of at least NZ $4,200 available in your bank account

Medical Coverage

Comprehensive health insurance

Background Check

A certified, clean criminal record check

Free Registration as Candidate Free Registration as Family

Visa Categories

The process for securing an Au Pair position in New Zealand relies almost exclusively on the Working Holiday Visa (WHV).

Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Student Visa

Working Holiday Visa (WHV)

Requirements

Must be 18 to 30 years old at the time of application.
Must possess a minimum of NZ $4,200 for savings, which may be checked upon arrival.
Must be in good health and provide any required documentation (like medical or police certificates, if requested).
Must have proficient English communication skills.
Cannot have previously held a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa.

Legal Steps

Sign the Individual Employment Agreement (IEA)
You and your Host Family must sign a formal, written employment contract before you leave your home country. This contract must state your hourly pay rate (at least $23.95 NZD/hour), maximum weekly hours, and explicit consent for the room and board monetary deduction.
Create a RealMe Account: Pre-requisite
Go to the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website and set up a RealMe account, which is the secure government login portal used to manage your digital application.
Submit Form and Pay Fees
Complete the remaining health and character declarations. Submit the application and pay the required $770 NZD visa fee (which includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) using a valid credit card.
Complete Medical/Character Checks: Within 15 days of request
Once submitted, INZ may email you to request a clean police background check or a chest X-ray/medical exam. You must visit an INZ-approved panel physician to have these completed and submitted electronically within their requested timeframe.
Receive eVisa and Buy Insurance
Once approved, you will receive an electronic visa (eVisa) via email. Print a physical copy. Before booking your flight, you must purchase comprehensive medical travel insurance covering your entire planned stay.
Open a New Zealand Bank Account
You must visit a local bank branch (or use an approved online migrant setup) to open a fully functional New Zealand bank account. Your Host Family cannot legally deposit your weekly pay into an international bank account.
Apply for an IRD (Tax) Number
You must log into the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) website and apply for a tax identification number as a "New Arrival to New Zealand." You will need to supply your passport number, visa details, and your new Kiwi bank account number.
Submit Tax and Bank Details to Your Employer
Once your IRD number arrives, give it and your bank details to your Host Family. They will register you on their formal payroll system so they can automatically deduct your PAYE income tax and pay your pocket money legally.

Student Visa

If your home country does not have a Working Holiday Visa agreement with New Zealand, or if you fall outside the standard 18–30 age limit, you can legally become an Au Pair by using a Student Visa.

This specific pathway is globally referred to as the Demi Pair Program. It blends full-time language study with a part-time live-in Au Pair placement.

Requirements

Valid Passport
A written essay detailing your motivations.
If you are staying in New Zealand for longer than 6 months, you may be required to submit a Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) to screen for tuberculosis, depending on your nationality.
Police Clearance Certificate
Comprehensive Student Insurance
You must enroll at an approved institution. It must be either a New Zealand university or an English language academy officially verified as a Category 1 Provider by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
You must pay for the 14+ week language school course out of your own pocket before applying for the visa. Host Families do not cover tuition.
For short-term student visas under a year, you must show proof of $1,700 NZD for each month of your intended stay to cover living expenses, plus funds for a return ticket home.

Legal Steps

Enroll and Pay Tuition
Apply directly to an NZQA-approved Category 1 Language Academy. Once accepted, you must pay your tuition fees in full to secure your Offer of Place letter and official fee receipt.
Submit the Digital Application
Create a RealMe account on the INZ website. Fill out the Fee-Paying Student Visa form, upload all required scans (identity, financial records, statement of purpose), and pay the digital application fee ($375 NZD).
Complete Medical Vetting
If your course lasts longer than 6 months, INZ will prompt you to complete a chest X-ray or general medical exam. You must visit an INZ-authorized panel physician who will log your results directly into the immigration system.
Receive eVisa and Travel
Once final processing completes, you receive your digital eVisa. Review it immediately to verify that "In-Study Work Rights" are explicitly listed on the document conditions.
Finalize School Intake
On day one, you must present your passport and insurance certificate to your language academy to finalize your full-time enrollment. The academy is legally required to monitor your attendance; falling below their internal threshold can result in visa cancellation.
Open a Local Bank Account
Visit a local New Zealand bank branch with your passport, visa, and local address details to open an active bank account. Cash-in-hand arrangements or international account transfers violate domestic labor standards.
Apply for an IRD (Tax) Number
Complete the digital application on the Inland Revenue Department website as a "New Arrival." You will need to submit your bank account details and student visa number.

Additional Information

The Working Holiday Visa permits the holder to engage in study or training for a maximum duration of six months during the stay.

New Zealand regulations allow eligible full-time student visa holders to work a maximum of 25 hours per week during term time. You cannot exceed this cap, meaning you cannot act as a full-time (35–45 hour) Au Pair.