“June 50” Veterinarians allowed into New Zealand – update 01 July 2021
In June 2021 Immigration New Zealand announced that up to 50 veterinarians of any discipline will be granted border exceptions to work in New Zealand.
Two New Zealand government departments are joining forces to allow this to happen – Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
Criteria of Veterinarians
- up to 50 general practice veterinarians across all disciplines (companion animal, large animal, mixed animal, production animal)
- each applicant must have a minimum of 3 years clinical experience
- minimum salary NZ$85,000 per annum (exclusive of bonuses, overtime or other ancillary payments)
- must be qualified to register with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand as a Registered Veterinarian
- visa valid for 12 months from date of issue: Critical Purpose Worker Visa
Stages of Applications
MPI has announced that all applications must be processed via the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA).
VetStaff can help with collating and verifying that all your information is correct prior to submission to the NZVA. If any part of your application is missing or incorrect, this could delay your application and you could miss out.
Here at VetStaff we’re skilled and experienced in helping overseas veterinarians find work in New Zealand and all the other bits’n’pieces that go with relocating to New Zealand. We cannot stress the importance of getting your application correct right from the get-go and that’s why involving us at the beginning of your job search process is important.
NZVA will then submit information to MPI which will assess and then in turn submit to INZ.
VCNZ Registration eligibility
Veterinarians must be registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ).
It’s critical to note that not all veterinary qualifications are recognised by VCNZ. If your university is not on the Council’s list of Recognised Institutions, then you’ll need to qualify through sitting specific exams (eg, RCVS).
If you are already MRCVS but you didn’t sit the exam, you may not be eligible for VCNZ registration as country reciprocity doesn’t always apply.
How to check whether you’re eligible for VCNZ registration
The Veterinary Council of New Zealand has published a list of Recognised Institutions.
This link should take you to a page on the VCNZ website detailing different types of registration, together with different country’s recognised institutions + information on which exams also qualify.
Minimum Salary and experience
You must have a bone fide job offer confirming a salary >NZ$85,000 per annum (exclusive of other payments like after hours, on call allowances, etc).
You must have a minimum of 3-5 years post-grad experience. All veterinarians of all disciplines are eligible to apply (eg, companion, large, mixed animal and equine veterinarians).
For example, we already work with multiple immigration consultants and will (if required) ensure your visa application is ‘as it should be’ prior to formal submission to Immigration NZ as part of this “June 50” process.
Here at VetStaff we believe it’s important you work with a reputable New Zealand specialist veterinary recruitment agency. An agency that’s on the ground in New Zealand. One that has contacts nationwide. An agency that knows NZ employment law and that works with respectable and highly regarded immigration consultants.
Prior to Covid-19 closing the world down, it wasn’t always necessary for veterinarians to work with a licensed immigration consultant. However, border closures and INZ’s constant changing of the rules has made it more complicated than it ever was before.
Our professional opinion is for veterinarians to be open to the possibility of investing in the professional advice of an immigration consultant to make sure they have everything correct to start with.
Stage One – documentation – summary
- all applications must have a written Offer of Employment for full time work (in line with New Zealand Employment Law) and/or
- a fully executed Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) [an IEA must include salary / wages and any reasonable deductions]
- full NZVC registration
- confirmation and evidence of applicant’s relevant industry experience (either within NZ or overseas).
Stage Two – INZ documentation – summary
- A signed IEA which includes the written confirmation of salary or wages detailing any reasonable deductions (reasonable deductions need to be written into the employment agreement and provide the relative cost attributed to the item).
- Evidence of the applicant’s relevant experience, either within New Zealand or internationally, examples may include:
- Bank statements and pay slips covering the period of work experience claimed.
- Employment certificates / reference letters. This should include contact information for previous employers.
- Tax records from the relevant government authorities covering the period of work experience claimed.
- Any other associated support letters/documents to meet the requirements of Column B, under H5.30.20 Approved classes of workers – optional
How VetStaff can help
VetStaff is already working with overseas-qualified veterinarians who meet these criteria.
If you would like us to help you find you the job of your dreams in your dream location, then you’ll need to appoint us as your New Zealand agent. This is easy to do and doesn’t cost you a cent.
We act as the ‘bridge’ between the clinic and the vet. We line up all the interviews, check all the paperwork, help with immigration consultant liaison (if required), assist with accommodation and schooling (if required). If you’re a VetStaff vet, we’ll meet you (without wearing masks) after you’ve completed your two weeks mandatory isolation quarantine requirements and celebrate your arrival in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand.
Offer of Employment Needs to Meet all Immigration New Zealand / Employment Law Thresholds
You’ll need to make sure that your Offer of Employment via your Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) meets all NZ employment laws.
Because checking and double-checking IEAs is just another day in the office for VetStaff, we know what the latest employment law is and what to look for.
The applications for the “June 50” we submit to the NZVA for consideration will meet all INZs thresholds.
