Work Visa Options

Straight to Residence

for tier 1 and 2 Greenlist roles

As part of border reopening and immigration changes, the government has announced a “Green List” of hard-to-fill, high-skill roles that provide a priority pathway to residency. This new fast-tracked ‘Straight to Residence’ pathway means people who work in one of the Green List occupations, and have a job offer from an accredited employer, can come to New Zealand on a work visa and apply for residence, if they meet the criteria. Residence can be applied for directly from offshore, before you arrive in New Zealand.

Work to Resdence 

for hire paid roles

The objective of the Residence from Work Category is to enable the grant of residence class visas to people whose talents are needed by New Zealand employers, people with exceptional talent in the fields of art, culture, or sport. Including people working in areas of identified absolute occupational shortage in New Zealand and religious workers.

Skilled Migrant

skilled migrant but not on the green list

The SMC visa is a direct-to-residence pathway for skilled people who have job offers in New Zealand, and who meet age and English language requirements, in addition to meeting the required skill threshold.

In October 2023 a simplified points system was established to set clear skills thresholds around qualification; registration (if required) or income from employment. This is consistent with the focus on granting residence to people who can meet medium-to long-term skill needs in New Zealand that are difficult, or would take time to fill from the domestic labour market.