Skilled Residence Pathways
There are five Skilled Residence visas but on 23 September 2025 the Minister of Immigration, Erica Standford has announced that two more pathways will be added from mid-2026. Here is a brief overview of options – each targeting different skills and levels. If you are planning New Zealand residence, we would love to discuss with you the options available and what would best suit your situation.
Common requirements for all of these visas are:
Common requirements for all these visas are:
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You must be aged 55 years or younger.
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You must work for an INZ Accredited Employer. Check the Employer is Accredited.
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You can bring your Partner and children as secondary applicants (evidence required).
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Police certificates for every applicant aged 17 years +.
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Medical certificates for all applicants, Chest x-rays for every applicant 15 +, pregnant women and children 10 years or younger need a chest x-ray only if asked, 11-14 years need a blood test only if asked.
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English Language proof – through citizenship (Canada, Ireland, UK & USA), through study (Bachelor degree + from Australia, NZ, Canada, Ireland, UK & USA), through English test English language requirements for skilled residence visas.
Points based criteria- you must get 6 points either from:
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3 to 6 points from 1 skill category — NZ occupational registration/ qualifications/ income.
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Up to 3 more points from skilled work experience.
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Work experience is only recognised if the remuneration levels are met – come and see us about this.
Green List Based Visas
There are two Tiers, and in each tier, there are qualification and remuneration levels that MUST be met. If these do not exactly match, then the criteria are not met.
Talk to us if you are interested because work experience conditions apply to the Work to Residence.
Tier 1: Straight to Residence Visa​
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Job must be full-time, and permanent or fixed term
for at least 12 months.
Tier 2: Work to Residence Visa​
• Must have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in a Tier 2 job – conditions apply.
• Job must be full-time, and permanent or fixed term for at least 12 months.
Care and Transport Based Visas
These are based on skill shortage areas and are for specific roles. Remuneration levels apply to recognition of work experience, and we welcome you making an appointment to discuss this.
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Job must be full-time, and permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months.
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Paid at least NZD $28.25 an hour (or the equivalent salary).
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Must have worked in New Zealand care workforce for 24 months in a specified role.
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Must have been paid the care workforce sector wage or above.
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Conditions apply - MUST hold a work visa granted before 7 April 2024.
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Job must be full-time, and permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months.
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Paid at least NZD $33.56 an hour (the current median wage), unless you are a bus
driver. -
Must have worked in New Zealand transport job for 24 months in a specified role that is paid median wage (or bus driver’s wage rate, if applicable).
New Residence Pathways from Mid-2026
What we know of the new residence pathways is set out below, although INZ advises there are additional eligibility criteria which will apply to certain occupations.
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Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa announced: Immigration New Zealand
New residence options to bolster workforce | Beehive.govt.nz
Skilled work experience pathway - for migrants in skilled roles (ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3),
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with at least 5 years of directly relevant work
experience, including 2 years in New Zealand earning at least 1.1 times the median wage ($36.92/hr).
Trades and technician pathway — for migrants in specified trades or technician roles,
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who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher
qualification and -
​have at least 4 years of post-qualification
experience, including 18 months in New
Zealand paid at or above the median wage.
From Mid-2026 further Additional Changes to Residence Criteria include:
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Increased points for New Zealand university-level qualifications.
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Reduction of work experience for some pathways.
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Removing the requirement to have an increased wage when applying for residence. ​
Plan for the future and get in touch with us if you are thinking about residence.​​