Work that Leads to Residence in New Zealand in 2025
New Zealand (NZ) is an attractive destination for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and workers seeking long-term opportunities and a pathway to residency. If you’re 55 years old or younger, you can apply for a resident visa or a work visa that leads to residence after working in New Zealand for at least two years.
With updates to skilled residence application processing priorities, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) now gives preference to the following visas:
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- Straight to Residence Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- Work to Residence Visa
If you’re looking for a work opportunity that can eventually lead to permanent residence in New Zealand, this guide will cover all available visa options, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
1# Visas That Lead to Residence in New Zealand
INZ offers multiple work and residence visa options tailored to different professional backgrounds and work circumstances. Below are the main pathways available:
A- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (For Skilled Workers): If you work in a skilled occupation, you can apply for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and include your family members in your application.
Eligibility:
✔ Be 55 years or younger
✔ Have a job offer in a skilled occupation
✔ Meet the points-based assessment (based on age, qualifications, and work experience)
✔ Have English proficiency.
✔ Pass the health and character requirements.
B- Work to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 2 Jobs): This visa allows you to work in New Zealand for 2 years before becoming eligible for residency.
Eligibility:
✔ Be 55 years or younger
✔ Hold a job in a Green List Tier 2 occupation
✔ Work for an accredited employer
✔ Meet salary and experience requirements.
C- Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1 Jobs): If your occupation is on Tier 1 of the Green List, you can apply directly for residence without needing to work in NZ for two years first.
Eligibility:
✔ Have a job offer in a Tier 1 Green List role
✔ Meet the salary or professional registration requirements
✔ Be 55 years or younger.
D- Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa: If your employer relocates their business to New Zealand, you and your family can apply for residence.
Eligibility:
✔ The company must have approval from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
✔ You must hold a key position in the company
✔ Must be proficient in English.
2# Special Work Visas Leading to Residence in New Zealand
Besides skilled work visas, there are other unique pathways to residency in New Zealand:
A- Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa: If you have a full-time job offer from an accredited employer, you can apply for this visa, which allows you to apply for residency after two (02) years of work.
Eligibility:
✔ Be 55 years or younger
✔ Have a job offer for at least 2 years
✔ Earn at least NZD $79,560 per year.
B- Entrepreneur Work Visa (For Business Owners): If you plan to start or buy a business in NZ, this visa lets you apply for residence after six months (if you invest at least NZD $500,000 and employ three people).
Eligibility:
✔ Have at least NZD $100,000 to invest (except in ICT and science startups)
✔ Claim 120 points on the Entrepreneur Visa Points Scale
✔ Submit a business plan
✔ Demonstrate English proficiency.
C- Global Impact Work Visa (Edmund Hillary Fellowship Program): If you’re an entrepreneur or investor in the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, you can stay in NZ for up to 36 months and apply for residence after 30 months.
D- Pacific Access Category & Samoan Quota Resident Visas: Citizens of Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga, and Fiji can apply for indefinite residence if they are selected in a ballot system (held annually in April).
Eligibility:
✔ Be 18-45 years old
✔ Have a full-time job offer for 12+ months
✔ Have English proficiency.
E- Religious Worker Resident Visa: If you’ve been working in religious service in New Zealand for at least three (03) years, you can apply for residence.
Eligibility:
✔ Be 55 years or younger
✔ Have at least 5 years of religious training/experience
✔ Continue working for a sponsoring religious organization
✔ Have English proficiency.
3# Applying for a Resident or Work Visa of New Zealand
1️⃣ Check if your job is on the Green List (Tier 1 or Tier 2)
2️⃣ Ensure your employer is accredited
3️⃣ Submit an online or paper application
4️⃣ Provide necessary documents (passport, qualifications, job offer, medical certificate)
5️⃣ Wait for processing and approval from Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
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