New Zealand Opens Door Wider for Elite Athletes & Coaches with Extended Visa Options

To support professional athletes and coaches and draw more top tier sports people from overseas, New Zealand Immigration has introduced important improvements to the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV).

These changes are designed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to handle the sports industry’s particular needs, since players’ contracts and events last longer than most temporary job visas.

Previously, the regulations placed a harder limit on the SPWV which could have prevented clubs from getting and retaining leading international players and coaches when they were needed most.

Key Changes

A key change is that the time someone stays on a visa depends on their role and skill level in sports:

• For athletes and coaches involved in professional sports teams working below the national or regional level, assistance might be granted for 12 months. It helps talented players grow in their local leagues or include them in club teams, but those players will not participate in the most elite national events.
• For up to 3 years after their playing days: People employed in professional sports or who coach teams at the national or regional level. It is created for sports clubs in New Zealand that compete at the highest level and for the coaches and athletes involved. The term “national or regional level” in INZ stands for competing in the top-tier national contest like the National Basketball League in New Zealand, trans-Tasman leagues (Super Rugby Pacific or A-Leagues) or on an international stage.

Flexibility for Contract Extensions

Because extending contracts can result from doing well in sports, the new regulations provide a lot of flexibility for players at the national/regional level. Those with a visa in this category can now get an SPWV if there is an additional contract extension.

The time allowed by the initial visa and the new one can go up to 36 months altogether. This reduces the likelihood of someone high-profile leaving in the middle of their contract due to their visa expiring.

Why This Matters: Impact on New Zealand Sports

Clubs and sporting groups across New Zealand are pleased with what these changes mean. Many industry members have repeatedly pushed for sports visas that fit the timelines of both games and contracts.

• The 36-month contract with an extension clause makes it much easier to keep outstanding players. Because of this, clubs are able to hire world-class players and coaches for ongoing jobs, knowing they won’t be forced out early. Having stability enables teams to grow, keep performing at a high level and achieve their goals in the long run.
• New Zealand sporting events, that have aspects like championships on both sides of the Tasman Sea or against teams from other countries such as rugby, cricket, netball and basketball, can now attract the top international athletes. Being able to stay for three years gives highly qualified professionals a much better reason to choose Canada.
• Having top international coaches for an extended time helps develop the local players. Bringing in coaches can help top programs operate for retains their high skills which improves standards and supports the development of players across all teams.
• Defining Words Precisely: Each term is clearly outlined so that clubs and potential program members won’t be confused and the application process goes smoothly.
• Having a shortened 12-month division helps sub-elite coaches and players in contributing to the development of their sport in clubs and regional levels which benefits the sport greatly.