New Zealand offers several pathways to residence, depending on your skills, your job offer, your current visa, or your relationship to a New Zealand citizen or resident. Below is an overview of the main residence options, with links to more detailed guidance for each pathway.
If you have a skilled job offer with an Accredited Employer, you may be eligible for residence through one of New Zealand’s skills‑based pathways. All of these visas require full‑time employment (at least 30 hours per week), meeting the requirements of your occupation, and meeting age, salary, health, character, and English language criteria.
New Zealand has three over-arching skills‑based pathways:
The Skilled Migrant Category offers three residence pathways for people working in skilled roles:
Each pathway has different requirements relating to your occupation, pay level, qualifications, and experience.
If your occupation is on the Green List, you may be eligible for one of two residence pathways:
Straight to Residence (Tier 1)
For occupations with a sustained shortage of highly skilled workers. If your role is on Tier 1 and you meet the requirements, you can apply for residence immediately (from NZ or overseas).
Work to Residence (Tier 2)
If your role is on Tier 2 and you meet the requirements, you can apply for residence after 2 years of skilled work in New Zealand.
For both pathways, you must have a full‑time job offer with an Accredited Employer, meet the Green List role requirements, be paid at or above the SMC wage threshold (or the rate specified for your occupation in the Green List), be aged 55 years or younger, and meet health, character, and English language criteria.
Certain roles in the Care Workforce and Transport Sector may qualify for residence through Sector Agreements. Examples include Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Therapy Aide, and Ship’s Master.
Each pathway has specific requirements relating to:
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 meets the requirements of the Sector Agreement.
New Zealand also offers residence pathways for partners and parents of New Zealand citizens or residents.
If you have been living together with your New Zealand citizen or resident partner for 12 months or more, you may be eligible for residence as the partner of a New Zealander. You must show evidence of living together in a genuine and stable relationship and meet health and character requirements.
Find out more about visas for Partners of New Zealanders
Take our free partnership eligibility assessment now
If you have lived together with your New Zealand citizen partner for at least 5 years outside New Zealand, you may be eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa. This allows you to bypass the usual 2‑year resident visa period.
Find out more about Permanent Resident Visas for Partners of New Zealand citizens
If you have an adult child living in New Zealand who is a citizen or resident, they may be able to sponsor you. Your sponsor will need to earn a minimum income threshold and have been a resident (or citizen) of New Zealand for at least 3 years.
This visa involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), which may be selected from a ballot.
Complete our free eligibility assessment and we’ll confirm which residence options you may qualify for.
If you are applying on the basis of your skills and getting a job offer, take our Skilled Eligibility Assessment
If you are applying on the basis of your partnership with a New Zealander, take our Partnership Eligibility Assessment