Work that leads to residence

If you’re 55 or younger and want to live in New Zealand (NZ) permanently, you can apply for a resident visa, or a work visa that leads to residence after working here for 2 years.

Changes to skilled residence application processing priorities

From 29 September 2023 , priority will be given to processing applications for the following skilled residence visas:

• Straight to Residence Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
• Work to Residence Visa.

Visas that lead to residence

Immigration New Zealand ( INZ ) has visas for different situations, including visas that lead to permanent residence. Check if you qualify for 1 of these.

If you have skills and experience

Moving to NZ with your family

If you’re 55 or younger and work in a skilled occupation, you can apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa to live in New Zealand permanently. You can include close family members in your application.

Jobs in demand in NZ — Green List roles

Check which roles are in demand by checking the Immigration New Zealand website — the Green List shows you which roles are:

• Tier 1 — Straight to Residence Visas
• Tier 2 — Work to Residence Visas.

If your employer’s business moves to New Zealand

If you have an important position in a business that relocates to New Zealand you and your family can apply for residence.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise must give its approval for the company you work for to operate here. Immigration New Zealand ( INZ ) contacts them to get approval.

To apply for an Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa you must:

• not be able to get another type of residence visa
• speak English
• have the support of the company’s owner or Chief Executive for your application.

If you have skills and talents NZ needs

Filling NZ’s skill shortages

You can come to New Zealand if you’re 55 or younger and have:

• skills and experience that are in short supply here — you can check these in the Green List
• qualifications and registration, if needed, in your area of expertise, and
• been offered a job that:
  • uses your skills and experience
  • pays more than NZD$45,000 per year.

  Check the Green List to see roles that are in demand in NZ

  The Green List has replaced the Skills Shortage Lists Checker — which is no longer being updated.

  After you’ve worked here for 2 years you can apply for residence as long as your job:

  • was on the Long Term Skill Shortage List or the Green List when you applied for your visa, or
  • is on the Green List when you apply for residence.

  Work based on your talents

  You can apply to work here on a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa if:

  • you’re under 55, and
  • you have the offer of a full-time job for at least 2 years from an employer that Immigration New Zealand ( INZ ) has accredited, and
  • the job pays at least NZD $79,560 per year.

  You can stay for up to 30 months and apply for residence after 2 years.

  If you’re an entrepreneur or innovator

  If you want to run your own business

  You can apply to come to New Zealand with your family to buy or set up a business if you:

  • have at least NZD $100,000 to invest in your business — if it’s a science or ICT business, you can apply to Immigration New Zealand ( INZ ) to invest less
  • can claim 120 points on INZ’s points scale — this takes into account your age, plans for investment, business experience, how your business benefits New Zealand and where it’s located
  • can provide a plan for how your business will succeed
  • are able to speak, read and write English.

  An Entrepreneur Work Visa gives you 12 months to set up your business and can be extended for 2 more years. You can apply for residence 6 months after the business starts if you:

  • invest at least NZD $500,000, and
  • employ 3 people or more.

  If you get an Edmund Hillary Fellowship

  If you hold an Edmund Hillary Fellowship — either as an entrepreneur or an investor — you can apply for a Global Impact Work Visa. You can stay for up to 36 months and apply for residence after 30 months.

  If you want to move to NZ from the Pacific Islands

  You can apply to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely if you’re a citizen of Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga or Fiji. Before you apply you need to be successful in a ballot that is usually held in April every year.

  To enter the ballot you must:

  • be aged between 18 and 45
  • have been offered a full-time job of 12 months or more that pays enough to support your family
  • be able to speak, read and write English.

  If you’re a religious worker

  If you’re in New Zealand on a Religious Worker Work Visa, you can apply for residence if you’re 55 or younger and:

  • have at least 5 years training and experience
  • have been doing religious work here for at least 3 years
  • will continue to work for a religious organisation that’s agreed to sponsor you
  • speak English.

  Other visa options that lead to residence

  You may be able to apply for residence if you’ve been working in New Zealand for 2 years on a temporary work visa.

  How to apply for a resident, work or other type of visa

  You can either apply online or on paper for a work or other type of visa from INZ . Check INZ ’s website for:

  • New Zealand visas — explore and select a visa
  • Preparing a visa application
  • Visa process overview.

  Who to contact for more help

  If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

  • Immigration New Zealand Contact and agency details