New Zealand continues to face a nationwide shortage of registered nurses across hospitals, aged‑care facilities, and community health services. Nurses are listed on Tier 1 of the Green List which means there a number of pathways for qualified nurses, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa, Straight to Residence Visa and Skilled Migrant Cateogory.
The demand for nurses remains high in both public and private sectors. Regional health boards and aged‑care providers are actively recruiting overseas‑qualified nurses to fill essential roles. This shortage has created clear visa pathways and faster residence processing for eligible applicants.
According to the latest data from tahatu.govt.nz registered nurses typically earn between NZD $83,000 – $99,000 per year, with entry‑level roles starting around $76,000 and experienced nurses earning up to $107,000. Pay rates vary by region, employer type, and experience level. These figures reflect typical salary ranges for nurses as of October 2026. 
If you’re a qualified nurse, you may be eligible for one of the following visa categories:
Accredited Employer Work Visa – for nurses with an eligible job offer from an accredited employer wanting to work in New Zealand on a temporary basis or build up skilled work experience in New Zealand
Straight to Residence Visa – a fast‑track residence option available to registered nurses on Tier 1 of the Green List.
Skilled Migrant Category Visa – for registered nurses meeting points‑based criteria, including skilled work experience in New Zealand.
Family members can usually be included in your Resident Visa application, or supported for a relevant temporary visa, if they meet the requirements under partnership and dependent child instructions.
If you’re not sure where to start, fill out our Eligibility Assessment as a first step, and we can guide you from there.
Nursing is a regulated profession in New Zealand. To practise, you must:
Hold a recognised nursing qualification.
Register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Meet English‑language requirements.
Registration ensures overseas‑qualified nurses meet local professional standards and can legally work in New Zealand. It is also a key visa requirement.
Because registered nurses are on Tier 1 of the New Zealand Green List, eligible applicants with a suitable job offer can apply for a Straight to Residence Visa. You can apply from overseas or within New Zealand, and there is no requirement to work in New Zealand first. Processing times for Straight to Residence visas are prioritised.
Yes. Evidence of your registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand is required for your visa application.
Yes. Registered nurses are listed on Tier 1 of the New Zealand Green List, which allows you to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa.
Yes, if they meet partnership and dependent child requirements.
With a Resident Visa you can include them in your application. With a Work Visa, you can support their relevant partner and dependent child temporary visas.
Residence applications for Green List roles are prioritised, though timeframes vary by individual circumstances.
If you’d like to explore the skilled work and resident visa process in more depth, these pages and short guides walk you through the key parts of the journey and what nurses often find most helpful when preparing their application:
Accredited Employer Work Visas
Skilled Migrant Resident Visas
New Zealand Professional Registration Boards