New ZealandWork
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
This route is for people with a job or job offer with an accredited employer where the job is on Tier 1 of the Green List of in-demand jobs.
Apply for this visa if you have a job or job offer with an accredited employer, and your job is on Tier 1 of the Green List of in-demand jobs.
The job or job offer must be with an accredited employer and be permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months (from application), or a contract or continuous contracts for at least 6 months.
be with an accredited employer be a Tier 1 job on the Green List
be permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months (from when you apply), or a contract or continuous contracts for at least 6 months.
The job must be on Tier 1 of the Green List and pay at least the rate specified for that Tier 1 job, or NZD $35.00 an hour (the 2025 median wage) if none is specified; Green List requirements may include registration, professional membership or qualification. Applicants must be aged 55 or younger and must speak and understand English.
When you apply for this visa, you must be paid at least: the rate specified for your Green List Tier 1 job, or NZD $35.00 an hour (the 2025 median wage) if a wage rate is not specified for your Green List job.
You must also meet the Green List requirements for your job. Requirements can include needing to be paid a certain amount or have a specific registration, professional membership, or qualification.
You must be aged 55 or younger when you apply.
You must speak and understand English.
The holder can work in any job for any employer in New Zealand. A partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included in the application.
You can work in any job for any employer in New Zealand.
include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in your visa application.
The resident visa allows indefinite stay; travel conditions expire 2 years after first arrival as a resident (or grant, if in New Zealand). After holding it for 2 years in a row the holder can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, and most people may get citizenship after 5 years living in New Zealand as a resident.
A Straight to Residence Visa lets you stay in New Zealand indefinitely.
Your travel conditions expire 2 years from: the date you first arrive in New Zealand as a resident, or the date your visa is given, if you are already in New Zealand.
After you have had a Straight to Residence Visa for 2 years in a row, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
For most people, after 5 years of living in New Zealand as a resident, you may be able to get New Zealand citizenship.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.