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There are a number of ways to get New Zealand Residence Visas, depending on whether it is based on your skills and job offer, your current visa or your relationship to a New Zealand resident or citizen. Some of the main paths to residence are listed below.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
The Skilled Migrant Category is based on a points system which is calculated across a number of different factors including your age, offer of skilled employment, skilled work experience and qualifications. You also need to meet health, character and English Language requirements.
There are 2 stages in the process of getting a Skilled Migrant Resident Visa. The first stage of is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). EOIs must hit a points threshold to be selected from the pool. If you are successful at this stage, you will be sent an Invitation to Apply.
The fastest way of understanding if you could be eligible for this visa category is to take our free eligibility assessment. We will review your situation and be able to advise whether you have enough points to be invited to apply for a Skilled Migrant Visa.
You can include your partner and dependent children in your Skilled Migrant Visa application. When your visa is approved, you will all be granted residence under the Skilled Migrant Category, enabling your partner and dependent children to work and study in New Zealand too.
Green List Skilled Residence Pathways
There are two new Skilled Resident Pathways for migrants with a job offer in an occupation that is on the Green List.
For both pathways, applicants must be 55 years old or younger, meet English language requirements, meet health and character requirements for residence, have or have been offered a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week) with an accredited employer in an occupation on the Green List and meet the requirements of the Green List job.
If you secure a job with an Accredited Employer in a Tier 1 Green List occupation, you may be eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa.
If you secure a job with an Accredited Employer in a Tier 2 Green List occupation, you may be eligible to apply for residence after working in New Zealand in this role for 2 years (the Work to Residence Visa). Your experience may be counted from 29th September 2021.
Highly Paid Work to Residence Pathway
If you secure a role from an Accredited Employer and are paid at least twice the median wage, you may be eligible to apply for residence after 2 years working in this role, on that salary, in New Zealand. Your experience may be counted from 29 September 2021.
Applicants must be 55 years old or younger, meet English language requirements, meet health and character requirements for residence, and have a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week) with an accredited employer that pays at least twice the median wage.
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
If you have been living together with your New Zealand citizen or resident partner for 12 months or longer, you may be eligible to apply for a resident visa as the partner of a New Zealander. You must be able to prove that you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship, that you are coming to New Zealand to be with your partner and that you meet health and character requirements.