Persons wishing to live and work in the Cook Islands require an entry permit with permission to work. To obtain an entry permit with work rights, they must be sponsored by a person or organisation in the Cook Islands agreeing to employ them.
Persons entering the Cook Islands to take up employment must hold relevant skills and qualifications for the vacant position applied for, and must also satisfy health and character requirements.
There is also provision for people who wish to invest in business and live in the Cook Islands.
To facilitate the processing and entry of a foreign worker for work purposes, the sponsor as the employer is responsible for arranging and ensuring that the applicant meets the entry and work requirements in the Cook Islands.
It is Government policy that the employer will identify and train a local resident to take over the position at the end of the foreign worker’s contract. The employer may be requested to provide evidence of this arrangement at the time of application. The employer must also repatriate the worker on termination or completion of their employment contract.
For more information regarding immigration, you can go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) website
Returning Cook Islanders do not require a work permit.
SHORT TERM EMPLOYMENT PERMITS (STePNZ) Extended for another year!
The Short Term Employment Permit for New Zealand Passport Holders Program is a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF). The Government Program was created in response to the Private Sector’s high demands in regards to labour shortages of skilled workers in particular national industries.
This fast-track permit type for New Zealand Passport holders started on the 1st November 2016 and underwent a one year pilot trial period. It was aimed at New Zealand Passport Holders willing to work here in the Cook Islands on a short term contract. The work permit under this program is valid for six (6) months and can only be extended once.
During the trial period, a total of 15 applications were made under this program. INTAFF reviewed the contracts prior to submission of applications to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration for final approval.
The Principal Immigration Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and the President of the Cook Islands Restaurant Association were present at the public stakeholders meeting for the final review of the program. The response was of clear support to extending the program for another year. Further discussions also underlined the need to extend the program to the Australian passport holders.
Cabinet has recently approved for the extension of the STePNZ program for another year as well as to open STePNZ to Australian passport holders. In addition, new feature of STEP NZ include shorter process time for medical clearance with Ministry of Health.
Anne Herman, Secretary for the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that their office was looking forward to receiving more applications in this second year of the program. “We would encourage employers across the different industries to look into this fast track work permit process for any short term human resource requirements they may have in their businesses”.