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Cook Islands · Work

Cook Islands International Worker Visa and Permit

19 facts quoted from the official source

Employer-sponsored work permission after unsuccessful local recruitment.

Route type
Work
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
13
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

13 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Good Character RequiredApplicants must meet the published character requirements.
  • Good Health RequiredApplicants must meet the published health requirements.
  • Job offerA written offer of employment is required.
  • Language requirementThe official criteria require English-language ability.
  • Local Labour Market Test RequiredThe employer must advertise and fail to recruit a suitable local worker.
  • Max Consecutive PermitsNo more than two consecutive permits are normally available.
  • Outward Ticket Or Repatriation Bond RequiredOnward travel or a repatriation bond is required.
  • Prior Compliance Evidence RequiredPrevious tax, superannuation and programme compliance evidence is required where applicable.
  • Required Absence After Max MonthsA one-year absence is required after the normal maximum.
  • Requires Employment ContractWritten employment terms are required.
  • Sponsor RequiredThe Cook Islands employer supports the application.
  • Work BasisThe applicant needs a qualifying employment offer.
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Passport or travel documentApplicants must provide acceptable identity and travel documents.
Also stated by the source
  • Eligibility summaryThe employer must advertise the position and be unable to recruit a suitable local person.
  • Official source basisThe employer must advertise the position and be unable to recruit a suitable local person.
  • Report summaryThe employer must advertise the position and be unable to recruit a suitable local person.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
2 proven from the official source.
  • Fee CurrencyThe fee is published in New Zealand dollars.checked 2026-07-26
  • Principal Fee AmountThe published application fee is NZD 960.checked 2026-07-26
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Total Validity Months MaxTwo consecutive 36-month permits create a normal six-year maximum.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Cook Islands route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Cook Islands?
The official source states: Employer-sponsored work permission after unsuccessful local recruitment.

Every answer is quoted from the official mfai.gov.ck page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 19 points against the official source; 19 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source mfai.gov.ckLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Cook Islands government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other work routes to Cook Islands

3 other work routes to Cook Islands.

Government Worker Visa and PermitInternational Intern Visa and PermitSpecialist Worker Visa and Permit
Same category, elsewhere

Work routes in other countries

224 other countries publish at least one work route. Nearest first.

French Polynesia3 work routes Tuvalu3 work routes American Samoa2 work routes Niue1 work route Pitcairn Islands1 work route Samoa1 work route

Does this route fit your numbers?

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