Residence New Zealand – New Visa pathways

• From September 2022 there is a new pathway for Residence – the ‘Straight to Residence Visa’. This residency visa will allow workers in certain fields to come directly to New Zealand as residents 
• From September 2023 there are two further pathways to residence: the ‘Work to Residence Visa’ and the ‘Highly Paid Residence Visa’.

Straight to Residence 

Immigration New Zealand has launched a new pathway programme that will grant residency straight away to those who have jobs on Tier 1 Green Lists. Construction workers, engineers and medical positions, such as general practitioners- GPs – among others will qualify.

These NZ residency visas are only for people 55 years old or under who meet health standards, good character requirements, English language proficiency and whose employers are accredited by Immigration NZ

Applications for the ‘Straight to Residence’ visa open on 05 September 2022. 

Work to Residence 

This new work to residence pathway will be available for workers in occupations on the Tier 2 Green List. These positions include health care professionals, such as podiatrists and nurses, teachers, and tradespeople such as electricians and plumbers.

To qualify you must meet be 55 years old or under, meet health standards, good character requirements and English language proficiency and have worked for 24 months with an INZ accredited employer in New Zealand before applying. 

Applications are open on September 29th, 2023.

‘Highly Paid’ residence New Zealand

This residence category is open to those who have been earning twice the median wage, which currently stands at $55.52 per hour, over a two-year period. Applicants must meet health and character requirements as well as English language competencies in order to qualify.

Applications are open on September 29th, 2023.