Can I migrate as a teacher to New Zealand?

Yes, a foreign national can immigrate to New Zealand as a teacher. Teaching is an excellent career choice in New Zealand because of its high demand. New Zealand also offers a Work to Residence visa pathway via the Green List. The Green List job offers must meet specific educational qualifications, income, and registration criteria.

 

To practice teaching in New Zealand, one must be registered and hold a current practicing certificate to apply for any teaching jobs in New Zealand. Overseas-trained teachers who want to migrate to New Zealand to fill a teaching vacancy are eligible for an Overseas Relocation Grant from the Ministry of Education, allowing them a long-term assignment cost of living allowance.

 

*Searching for jobs in New Zealand as a teacher? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services to find the right one for you!

 

Pathway to immigrate to New Zealand as a Teacher

There are two pathways to immigrating as a teacher in New Zealand:

 

Pathway 1 (Job offer)

This pathway is for teachers who received an employment offer from a New Zealand employer. The applicant can register with the Teaching Council of New Zealand and apply for a New Zealand work visa to teach in the country.  

 

Pathway 2 (Study Pathway)

This pathway is for teachers who couldn’t register as overseas teachers directly. They may then consider studying a course in New Zealand that leads to teacher registration.

 

Visas to apply as a teacher in New Zealand  

There are different types of visas that a teacher can choose from to live and work in New Zealand. The teaching Job role falls under the category of the Green List, which allows them to gain residency in the country.

 

Here is a list of visas to apply for as a teacher in New Zealand:

 

Accredited Employer Work Visa        

 This Accredited Employer Work Visa is for Primary and ECE teachers’ teacher and has a job offer from a New Zealand school that holds INZ Employer Accreditation.

 

Skilled Migrants Category

The Skilled Migrants Category is for secondary teachers, which allows them to gain residency in the country through work.  

 

Working holiday visas

These working holiday visas are available to young people, usually aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a select few countries.

 

Different Kinds of Teaching Jobs in New Zealand

Most teaching occupations are classified as Tier 1 or 2 on the New Zealand Government’s Green List for immigration. This Green List job provides a more accessible pathway to gain permanent residency if they meet the criteria.

 

New Zealand has two kinds of teaching jobs in the country such as:

 

1. Registered Early Childhood (pre-primary school) Teachers
2. Secondary School Teachers in subjects like:

• Science (including physics, biology, agricultural science, chemistry)
• Mathematics
• Technology

3. Pacific languages teachers

 

Requirements to apply as a teacher in New Zealand

To migrate to New Zealand as a teacher, it is necessary to fulfill specific eligible criteria such as:

 

• Proof of training
• Proof of identity
• Valid passport
• Complete the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
• Testimonial letters
• Teaching practice assessment
• Minimum IELTS band score of 7.0
• Police Clearance certificate
• Health and Character requirements
• A Graduate Diploma in Teaching
• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
• Master of Teaching
• Master of Teaching and Learning

 

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