Work Permits: Thai Chefs

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Work Permits may be issued to citizens of Thailand who hold offers of employment to work as specialist Thai chefs in New Zealand if they have completed the relevant qualifications and work experience.

To be eligible to qualify for this category you must have:

Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 1 and 5 years practical experience;
Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 2 and 4 years practical experience; or
Thailand National Skills Standard Thai Cooking Certificate 3 and 3 years practical experience.

Work Permits issued to work as a Thai chef in New Zealand are for 3 years, extendable to 4 years if the applicant meets eligibility criteria.

Thai chefs who spend the maximum 4 years in New Zealand will not be eligible for a further Work Permit until they have spent a minimum of 3 years outside of New Zealand.