New Rules for Sports Professionals: Extended Visa Options from Today!

If you're a professional athlete or coach considering a move to New Zealand, or advising someone who is, there's good news on the immigration front. As of today, Immigration New Zealand has officially extended the visa duration options under the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) for sports professionals. Here's what you need to know.

What’s Changed?

From today onwards, the length of time sports professionals can stay in New Zealand on a SPWV will be adjusted based on their level of play or coaching. The changes create more flexibility and a clearer pathway for those involved in competitive sports, whether you're playing, coaching, or renewing a contract.

Here’s a breakdown:

For Sports Professionals Below National or Regional Level:

• Up to 12 months for:

  • Sports players who are not competing at the national or regional level

  • Professional coaches who are not coaching at the national or regional level

For National or Regional Level Professionals:

• Up to 36 months for:

  • Sports players competing in top-tier national, trans-Tasman, or international competitions

  • Coaches employed to lead teams at national or regional levels

Even better, extensions are now possible. If your contract is extended within that three-year window, you can apply for another SPWV, as long as your total stay does not exceed 36 months in total.

Who Qualifies?

To apply under the updated criteria, you will need to meet the core requirements of the SPWV. This includes proving the specific purpose of your stay, such as competing or coaching with a New Zealand-based club, and showing that your employment is for a defined period.

Here’s what Immigration New Zealand looks for:

• A clear purpose for coming to New Zealand

• Relevant qualifications or experience to perform the work

• Health and character clearance

• Evidence that the employment is time-bound

Who Counts as a ‘Professional’?

These updates also clarify what counts as a professional sports player or coach:

• A professional sports player is someone paid to compete and train with a New Zealand club

• A professional coach is someone paid to coach with a New Zealand club as their primary role

• National or regional level means representing a club in top-tier national, trans-Tasman, or international competitions

What This Means for You

This change gives sports professionals more breathing room. A one-year cap often meant that elite players and coaches had to reapply or leave prematurely. This disrupted both their careers and the teams depending on them. Now, with the new 36-month option and the ability to extend, there is a more stable pathway for professionals to contribute to New Zealand’s sporting scene.

As a licensed immigration adviser, I see this as a welcome move for players, coaches, clubs, and the wider sporting community in Aotearoa.

Need Help Navigating These Changes?
If you are unsure how the new criteria apply to their situation or needs help preparing the application, feel free to reach out. I can guide you through the requirements and help ensure everything is in place.

Final Thoughts

New Zealand continues to be a destination of choice for international sporting talent. These updated visa rules reflect that value and help remove the administrative roadblocks that once limited longer-term participation. Whether you're competing, coaching, or recruiting top talent, these changes offer greater clarity and opportunity.