Overview of skilled residence pathways
There are 3 skills-based pathways that allow you to get New Zealand residence if you meet the eligibility criteria:
- the Skilled Migrant Resident pathway
- the Green List pathway, and
- the Care Workforce and Transport Sector Agreement pathways.
Some of the visas on these pathways allow you to apply for residence straight away, such as the Straight to Residence Visa. Other pathways may require you to work in New Zealand before you can apply for residence, such as the Work to Residence Visa.
This page includes information on the following:
Summary of skilled residence pathways
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
Transport Work to Residence Visa
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Maximum continuous stay period for Accredited Employer Work Visa holders
Summary of skilled residence pathways
Figure 1 is a summary of skilled residence pathways available. People need to meet specified requirements for their pathway, along with standard requirements in areas like age, English language, health, and character.
Fig. 1: Summary of skilled residence pathways
Detailed description of image
Key dates in 2023
Check this page for updates on visa application dates.
| Visa name | Application status |
|---|---|
| Straight to Residence Visa | Open now |
| Work to Residence Visa | Open now |
| Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa | Open now |
| Transport Sector Work to Residence Visa | Open now |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Open now |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (previous points system) | Closed to new EOIs on 16 August 2023. Applicants who have received an invitation to apply have 4 months to submit their application from the date of their invitation to apply letter. |
Straight to Residence Visa
Status: Open
You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer or you have a job offer from an accredited employer and your role is on Tier 1 of the Green List.
If you are eligible you can apply for this visa now. You can either come to New Zealand on a work visa and apply or apply from overseas.
Check the visa information for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
Work to Residence Visa
Status: Open
You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer and you have worked in a Tier 2 Green List role for 24 months.
Applications for this visa are open now. Check the visa information for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
Status: Open
You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer and you have worked in a care workforce sector role for 24 months.
Applications for this visa are open now. Check the visa information for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
Transport Work to Residence Visa
Status: Open
You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer and you have worked in a transport sector role for 24 months.
Applications for this visa are open now. Check the visa information for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
Transport Work to Residence Visa
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Status: Open
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa re-opened with a new points system on 9 October 2023.
Applicants who received an invitation to apply under the previous points system have 4 months to submit their application from the date of their invitation to apply letter.
This visa is for people who have skills that will contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Under the new points system you need 6 points to apply for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. This can be made up from:
- 3 to 6 points based on New Zealand occupational registration, qualifications, or income, and
- 1 point for each year of work in New Zealand in a skilled job, up to a maximum of 3 points.
Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Maximum continuous stay and longer visa length for Accredited Employer Work Visa
On 27 November 2023 we introduced a maximum continuous stay and longer visa length for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
Maximum continuous stay and longer visa length for Accredited Employer Work Visa
Other visa options
Check our website to find out what other visa options may be available to you.
