UK Visa Sponsorship for New Zealand Nationals
Grants by year
Data starts in 2020. The Skilled Worker route launched in December 2020 and the Health & Care Worker visa in August 2020, replacing earlier Tier 2 categories.
In 2025, 207 New Zealand nationals were granted UK work visas on the Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker routes, about the same as 2024. About 73% came through the Skilled Worker route, spanning professional, technical, and managerial jobs.
The most common occupation for New Zealand nationals in 2025 was Paramedics (21 grants), followed by Generalist medical practitioners (18) and Solicitors and lawyers (13). Other eligible Skilled Worker occupations are sponsorable too, as long as the employer holds a Home Office sponsor licence and the role clears the salary and skill-level thresholds for its SOC code.
Search the roles below to see who's currently hiring New Zealand nationals. Filter by sponsor licence, visa route, or occupation.
Top occupations for New Zealand nationals
| # | Occupation | Grants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paramedics | 21 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 2 | Generalist medical practitioners | 18 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 3 | Solicitors and lawyers | 13 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 4 | Management consultants and business analysts | 12 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 5 | Programmers and software development professionals | 10 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 6 | Specialist medical practitioners | 9 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 7 | Chartered and certified accountants | 7 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 8 | Finance and investment analysts and advisers | 7 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 9 | Marketing, sales and advertising directors | 6 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 10 | Sales accounts and business development managers | 6 | SWSkilled Worker |
Full occupation distribution for New Zealand nationals
Each rectangle is one occupation, sized by grant count and grouped by SOC major category. Color shows year-over-year change vs 2023. Total: 206 grants across 70 occupations.
Frequently asked questions
How many new zealand nationals got UK work visas in 2025? In 2025, 207 new zealand nationals were granted UK work visas: 152 via Skilled Worker and 55 via Health & Care Worker.
What are the most common jobs new zealand nationals get sponsored for? Home Office data shows the top occupations for new zealand nationals on Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker visas are: Paramedics, Generalist medical practitioners, Solicitors and lawyers. Full breakdown in the table above.
Can new zealand nationals apply for the Skilled Worker visa? Yes. Nationality doesn't affect Skilled Worker eligibility. New Zealand nationals qualify if they have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor, the role is on the eligible occupations list, and the salary meets the threshold (usually £41,700 or the going rate for that SOC code, whichever is higher).
Which UK companies sponsor new zealand nationals? Any UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence can hire new zealand nationals. Every company listed on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors holds one. Search jobs or browse the sponsor directory below.
Keep exploring
Current openings from Home Office licensed sponsors. Filter by visa route, salary, and occupation.
Visa trends and top occupations for every nationality, browsable by region.
See what a UK salary is really worth compared with New Zealand — tax, purchasing power and visa costs.