Skilled residence pathways in New Zealand
Find out how to get a resident visa for New Zealand based on your skills.
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Getting New Zealand residence based on your
You can work towards getting a resident visa to live in New Zealand, depending on your job and skills. When you meet the requirements, you can apply for residence.
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Skilled migrant category pathway to
This pathway to New Zealand residence is for people with a skilled job who have occupational registration, a bachelor's qualification or higher, or earn 1.5 times the median wage.
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Green List pathway to
This pathway to New Zealand residence is for people who have a Tier 1 or Tier 2 job on the Green List of in-demand jobs.
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Care workforce and transport sector pathway to
This pathway to New Zealand residence is for people who work in the care workforce or transport sectors.
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2026 changes to wage rate rules for work to residence
On 24 August 2026, we will be making changes to the rules on how we calculate the wage rates for work to residence visas. This includes Tier 2 Green list, care workforce, and transport sector work to residence visas.