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 (see Business Investment).

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.

Potential employees may refer to the following websites for potential employers:
• Cook Islands Yellow Pages at http://www.yellowpages.co.ck/
• Cook Islands News at http://www.cookislandsnews.com
• Cook Islands Herald at http://www.ciherald.co.ck/
• Cook Islands Government site at http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck