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Residence Visas

New Zealand residence can provide the security to live, work, and study in the country indefinitely.

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There are several pathways to residence based on skills, employment, qualifications, occupational registration, family relationships, investment and other circumstances. Each pathway has different requirements, and holding a New Zealand work visa does not automatically make someone eligible for residence.

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Trusthaven Immigration can assess your circumstances, identify potential pathways and help you prepare a well-supported residence application.

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Skilled Residence Pathways

Most skilled residence pathways require the principal applicant to:

  • Be 55 years old or younger

  • Have acceptable employment or an offer of employment from an accredited employer

  • Meet the applicable occupation, qualification, registration, work-experience and remuneration requirements

  • Meet the required standard of English

  • Be in acceptable health

  • Be of good character

 

Partners and eligible dependent children may generally be included, subject to the requirements of the relevant category.

Skilled Migrant Category

The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is for people who have skills and experience that can contribute to New Zealand.

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Applicants must have acceptable skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment from an accredited employer and qualify under one of three pathways.

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Points-Based Pathway

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Applicants need six skilled resident points.

Points may be claimed from one principal skill category:

  • A recognised qualification

  • Eligible New Zealand occupational registration

  • Income from qualifying New Zealand employment

 

Applicants who cannot claim all six points from one skill category may be able to add points from skilled work experience gained in New Zealand.

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Skilled Work Experience Pathway

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This pathway is designed for people who have developed their skills through substantial work experience rather than relying on a formal qualification or occupational registration.

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Applicants must have directly relevant work experience, including the required period of skilled employment in New Zealand, and must meet the applicable occupation and wage requirements.

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Additional restrictions apply to occupations on the Amber List, while occupations on the Red List are not eligible under this pathway.

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Trades and Technician Pathway

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This pathway is for people working in specified trades and technician occupations.

Applicants must hold an eligible relevant qualification and complete the required post-qualification work experience, including a period of skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Only occupations included on the eligible Trades and Technician list can qualify.

Green List Residence Pathways

The Green List identifies occupations for which qualified workers may have access to a faster pathway to New Zealand residence.

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Green List roles are divided into two tiers.

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Tier 1: Straight to Residence

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An eligible person working in, or holding an acceptable job offer for, a Tier 1 Green List occupation may be able to apply directly for a Straight to Residence Visa.

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Tier 2: Work to Residence

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A person working in an eligible Tier 2 Green List occupation may be able to apply for a Work to Residence Visa after completing the required period of qualifying work in New Zealand.

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Applicants must meet the specific requirements for their occupation.

 

These may include:

  • New Zealand occupational registration

  • A prescribed qualification

  • Relevant work experience

  • Minimum remuneration

  • Employment with an accredited employer

 

A job title appearing on the Green List does not establish eligibility by itself. The applicant must meet all requirements specified for that occupation.

Care Workforce Work to Residence

The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa may be available to people who have completed the required period of qualifying employment in an approved care workforce occupation.

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Applicants must:

  • Be working in, or hold an acceptable job offer for, an approved care workforce position

  • Work for an accredited employer

  • Complete 24 months of qualifying work within the applicable 30-month period

  • Meet the required wage rate during the qualifying employment

  • Meet the age, English, health and character requirements

 

The occupation, duties, employment evidence and pay history must be examined carefully to determine whether the work qualifies.

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Transport Work to Residence

The Transport Work to Residence Visa may be available to people who have completed the required period of employment in an approved transport occupation.

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The list of eligible transport roles has changed over time. Whether earlier employment can be counted depends on the occupation, dates, visa conditions and remuneration that applied during the qualifying period.

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Applicants must also hold qualifying employment or an acceptable job offer when applying and meet the remaining residence requirements.

Family-Based Residence

New Zealand citizens and residents may be able to support residence applications for eligible partners, dependent children or parents.

Family-based residence categories include:

  • Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

  • Dependent Child Resident Visa

  • Parent Resident Visa

  • Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa

  • Refugee Family Support Resident Visa

 

Each category has different relationship, dependency, sponsorship, income, and evidential requirements.

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Partnership residence applicants generally need to demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and stable and that the couple has lived together for the required period.

Parent Resident Visa applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest and meet the applicable sponsorship and sponsor-income requirements.

Investor and Business Residence

Experienced investors and businesspeople may have potential residence pathways through New Zealand’s investor and business immigration categories.

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These include:

  • Active Investor Plus Visa

  • Business Investor Work Visa leading to residence

  • Business Investor Resident Visa

 

Applicants may need to demonstrate the lawful source and ownership of their funds, transfer and invest the required amount, maintain qualifying investments or actively operate an eligible New Zealand business.

Other Residence Categories

Other specialised residence categories may be available depending on a person’s background and circumstances.

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These can include:

  • Religious Worker Resident Visa

  • Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa

  • Refugee Family Support Resident Visa

  • Pacific Access Category Resident Visa

  • Samoan Quota Resident Visa

  • Dependent Child Resident Visa

  • Second or Subsequent Resident Visa

 

These categories have specific eligibility, sponsorship, employment, nationality or humanitarian requirements and may not be available to every applicant.

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Common Residence Application Issues

Residence applications often involve more than demonstrating basic eligibility. Immigration New Zealand may closely examine:

  • Whether the applicant’s employment is genuine

  • Whether the position is sustainable and ongoing

  • Whether the job duties match the claimed occupation

  • Qualifications and International Qualification Assessments

  • Occupational registration

  • Work-experience evidence

  • Historical and current remuneration

  • Compliance with work visa conditions

  • Health conditions and potential medical waivers

  • Criminal convictions and potential character waivers

  • English-language evidence

  • Partnership and dependent-child evidence

  • The accuracy of information provided in previous visa applications

 

An apparent inconsistency or unsupported claim can delay an application or lead Immigration New Zealand to raise potentially prejudicial information.

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Obtaining advice before submitting an Expression of Interest or residence application can help identify and address potential concerns at an early stage.

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How We Can Help

Our Licensed Immigration Advisers can assist with:

  • Assessing potential residence pathways

  • Calculating Skilled Migrant Category points

  • Checking occupation and employment requirements

  • Reviewing wage and work-experience eligibility

  • Assessing Green List requirements

  • Reviewing qualifications and IQA requirements

  • Preparing Expressions of Interest

  • Preparing and submitting residence applications

  • Organising supporting evidence

  • Responding to Immigration New Zealand concerns

  • Addressing health, character or employment issues

  • Assisting with complex or previously declined applications

  • Advising on Permanent Resident Visas and travel conditions

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Start Your New Zealand Residence Journey With Us

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Residence eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the immigration instructions applying at the relevant time.

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Book a professional assessment with Trusthaven Immigration to understand your possible pathways, requirements, and the next steps.

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