You apply for an IRD number online through Inland Revenue once you have a valid NZ visa and, in most cases, a NZ bank account already set up. Processing times vary, so apply as soon as you accept a job offer.
How do you get an IRD number as a new migrant?
You fill in the IRD number application for new arrivals on the Inland Revenue website, upload your visa details and identity documents, and confirm your NZ bank account details if you already have one. Processing takes some time, so submit it the moment you have a signed job offer rather than waiting for your first day.
Do you need a bank account first?
Usually yes. Most banks will let you open an account before you land or shortly after arrival, sometimes with limited functions until you can show proof of address. Having a bank account ready speeds up the IRD application because you can link the account straight away instead of applying without one, which can slow things down.
What happens if you start work before your IRD number arrives?
You can generally still start your job, but without an IRD number your employer may have to tax you at a higher, no-notification rate until it is sorted. That means smaller take-home pay for a while, refundable later, but it is worth avoiding by applying early rather than after you have already started.
What else do you need to sort out in your first weeks?
Getting your IRD number is one piece of settling in. A few other things tend to come up around the same time.
- Confirm your visa conditions allow the type of work you have accepted
- Set up a NZ bank account, ideally before or right when you arrive
- Ask your new employer about KiwiSaver, since employer contributions start at 3% once you are enrolled
- Keep copies of your visa, passport and job offer together for any employer or IRD checks
- Ask your employer what your first payslip will show and when the no-notification tax rate resolves
Source: KiwiSaver for employers, Inland Revenue (https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-employers)
Key takeaways
- Apply for your IRD number online as soon as you accept a job offer, do not wait until your first day.
- Processing takes some time, so build that into your planning.
- Having a NZ bank account set up first makes the application smoother.
- Starting work before your IRD number arrives can mean higher tax temporarily, refundable once it is sorted.
- KiwiSaver employer contributions start at 3% once you are enrolled, worth asking your new employer about early.
Frequently asked questions
Can you apply for an IRD number before you arrive in NZ?
In some cases you can start the process before arrival if you already have your visa confirmed, but most people apply once they land and have a NZ bank account set up. Check the current requirements directly with Inland Revenue for your specific visa type.
What documents do you need for an IRD number application?
You will typically need your passport, your NZ visa details, and your NZ bank account number. Requirements can vary slightly depending on your visa category, so check the Inland Revenue website before you start the form.
Does not having an IRD number stop you from working?
No, you can usually still start work, but you may be taxed at a higher no-notification rate until your IRD number comes through and is passed to your employer. This is temporary and gets corrected once everything is linked up.
How long does an IRD number take to arrive?
Processing times vary, so it is worth submitting a complete application with your visa and bank details as early as possible. Delays can happen if documents are missing, so double check everything before you submit.
Where can newcomers get more help settling into NZ work life?
Beyond the IRD number, there is a lot to figure out around workplace culture, referees and job hunting as a newcomer. The Newcomers Toolkit at FindMeAJob pulls together practical guidance and job matching built for people starting fresh in NZ.
If you are job hunting while you sort out your paperwork, the Newcomers Toolkit has entry-level roles and guidance built specifically for people settling into work in NZ.