New Zealand residence

To live in New Zealand permanently, you need a resident visa.

To live in New Zealand permanently, you need a resident visa. There are a number of pathways to obtaining a resident visa, many of which start with a temporary visa allowing you to work, study or own a business in New Zealand. Some visas, such as those granted under the Skilled Migrant Category, grant you residence right away. You need to comply with any conditions attached to your visa, to ensure your pathway to residence is not interrupted.

Before moving to New Zealand permanently, you need to consider what visas you're eligible for and whether those visas will enable you to stay in New Zealand permanently. You also need to make sure you are ready to move to New Zealand, because you will need enough time to complete the requirements of your temporary or resident visa conditions.

New Zealand skilled residence pathways

Find out what skilled residence pathways are available that will allow you to live permanently in New Zealand, including changes introduced in October 2023.

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

Key dates in 2023

Straight to Residence Visa

Work to Residence Visa

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

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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.

Straight to Residence Visa

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.

Work to Residence Visa

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.

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

From 27 November 2023, we are introducing 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

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