H-1B Visa Guide for New Zealand Nationals (2026)
Green card backlog, lottery odds, top employers, and key visa considerations for New Zealand nationals seeking US work authorization.
IMPORTANT: E-3 is NOT available to New Zealand nationals. E-3 is Australia-only despite common misconception. H-1B is primary. O-1 viable for senior professionals.
Top H-1B Employers for New Zealand Nationals
Top H-1B Roles
Top States for New Zealand H-1B Workers
Green Card Pathway
No backlog. Rest-of-world EB-2/EB-3 current. New Zealand nationals do NOT qualify for E-3 - that visa is Australia-only.
What is the green card timeline for New Zealand nationals?
No backlog. Rest-of-world EB-2/EB-3 current. New Zealand nationals do NOT qualify for E-3 - that visa is Australia-only.
What are H-1B visa alternatives for New Zealand professionals?
IMPORTANT: E-3 is NOT available to New Zealand nationals. E-3 is Australia-only despite common misconception. H-1B is primary. O-1 viable for senior professionals.
Which employers sponsor H-1B for New Zealand nationals?
Top H-1B sponsors for New Zealand nationals include: Google,Amazon,Microsoft,Weta Digital (US partners),Air New Zealand (US). Sectors vary by country.
What is the H-1B lottery odds for New Zealand applicants?
H-1B lottery odds are approximately 35% MS / 20% BS — the same for all nationalities. Per-country limits only apply to employment-based green cards, not H-1B status itself.