Wage rate requirements for visas
For some work visas you need to earn more than a certain amount to get the visa. Check if you meet the wage threshold to qualify for the visa you want to apply for.
What is a wage threshold
Some visas require you to be paid a certain amount - we call this the wage threshold for a visa. We check the pay rate that you have been offered for a job, to see if it meets the wage threshold for the visa you are applying for.
If the wage threshold for your visa increases
If you already have a visa and the wage threshold for your visa increases, you do not need to meet the new wage threshold rate. However if you apply for another visa, you will need to meet the new wage threshold.
Wage thresholds we use
Median wage rate
Some immigration wage and income thresholds are based on the
Labour market statistics (income): June 2024 quarter — Stats NZ
All wage rates shown on here are hourly rates and are in New Zealand dollars.
Use the median wage calculator to work out your hourly wage rate:
Median wage comparison calculator
| Date range | Referred to as | Median wage (in NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| From 28 February 2025 | 2024 median wage | $33.56 |
| 28 February 2024 to 27 February 2025 | 2023 median wage | $31.61 |
| 27 February 2023 to 27 February 2024 | 2022 median wage | $29.66 |
| 4 July 2022 to 26 February 2023 | 2021 median wage | $27.76 |
| 29 September 2021 to 3 July 2022 | 2020 median wage | $27.00 |
Market rate
The New Zealand
Other wage thresholds
Some wage thresholds are based on or indexed to:
- the New Zealand minimum wage
- other occupation-specific wage rates (for example, wage rates from pay equity settlements).
- currently be paid at least NZD$28.25 an hour (or the equivalent salary)
- worked for 24 months in this sector, and
- been paid at least the care workforce sector wage rate during that time
- worked for 24 months in this sector, and
- been paid at least the median wage (or the bus drivers wage rate, if applicable) during your work experience.
- started work in one of these jobs
- received an AEWV to work in one of these jobs, or
- applied for an AEWV to work in one of these jobs, and were successful in your application.
- the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO) list, and
- the median wage.
- tied to the median wage
- depends on how any sponsors and parents are in the application.
AEWV jobs must pay at least the
We approve a pay range at the job check stage, which must be at or above the pay threshold. The actual pay rate on the visa is determined at the visa application stage.
How we calculate pay rates for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
If you have an AEWV, check if you are able to support a visa for your partner or dependent child. The type of visa of visas you can support will depend on your job and how much you earn.
To qualify for this visa, you need to:
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
| Date range | From 1 July 2022 (in NZD) |
|---|---|
| From 1 July 2022 | $28.25 |
| 29 September 2021 to 30 June 2022 | $27.00 |
To qualify for this visa you need to have:
Transport Work to Residence Visa
Note
On 18 August 2025, we are changing how much you must earn to apply for a Transport Work to Residence Visa. We will also add 10 trade occupations to the Green List.
Ten trades occupations to be added to the Work to Residence pathway
Check if you can include past work experience
Some jobs were removed from the list of approved of transport sector roles on 7 April 2024.
You may still be able to count work experience gained from a removed job towards your residence visa, if on or before 6 April 2024 you:
Care workforce and transport sector pathway to residence
| Sector | From 28 February 2024 (in NZD) |
|---|---|
| Land and maritime transport roles (except bus drivers) | $31.61 |
| Bus drivers | $28 |
The jobs in Table 5 are on the Green List and provide residence through the Work to Residence Visa.
Green List roles that do not have a specific pay threshold must pay at least NZD $31.61 (the 2023 median wage).
Note
On 18 August 2025, we are changing how much you must earn to apply for a Work to Residence Visa. We will also add 10 trade occupations to the Green List.
Ten trades occupations to be added to the Work to Residence pathway
| Sector | From 28 February 2024 (in NZD) |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications technician (115% of the 2023 median wage) | $36.35 |
| Civil machinery operators (115% of the 2023 median wage) | $36.35 |
| Crane operator (130% of the 2023 median wage) | $41.09 |
| Building associate (150% of the 2023 median wage) | $47.41 |
The jobs in Table 6 are on the Green List and provide residence through the Straight to Residence Visa.
Green List roles that do not have a specific pay threshold must pay at least NZD$31.61 (the 2023 median wage).
Note
On 18 August 2025, we are changing how much you must earn to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa. We will also add 10 trade occupations to the Green List.
Ten trades occupations to be added to the Work to Residence pathway
| Sector | From 28 February 2024 (in NZD) |
|---|---|
| ICT, electronics and telecommunications (208% of the 2023 median wage) | $65.74 |
| ICT, electronics and telecommunications roles based on contract for services (312% of the 2023 median wage) | $98.62 |
| Multimedia specialist (165% of the 2023 median wage) | $52.15 |
| Multimedia specialist roles based on contract for services (247% of the 2023 median wage) | $78.07 |
| External auditor (130% of the 2023 median wage) | $41.09 |
| Internal auditor (130% of the 2023 median wage) | $41.09 |
To assess skilled work for the SMC we use:
Check the wage rate threshold for SMC expressions of interest.
Pay rates for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Note
On 18 August 2025, we are changing how much you must earn to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. We will also add 10 trade occupations to the Green List.
Ten trades occupations to be added to the Work to Residence pathway
There is a minimum earning threshold if you want to support your parents on a Parent Resident Visa. As a sponsor, you must earn more than the threshold for 2 out of the 3 years before their expression of interest is selected.
The threshold is:
The Parent Resident Visa is updated in February each year.
Getting help to come to New Zealand on a Parent Resident Visa
If you have an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) you must be paid at least NZD $26.85 an hour (80% of the 2024 median wage) to support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa.
Bringing family if you have an ESWV
If you have an AEWV you may be able to support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa for your partner, depending on how much you earn and your job.
Bringing family if you have an AEWV
There is no income requirement if you have a different work visa and you can support a visa for your partner.
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers returning for their third or subsequent season must be paid at least the
All other RSE workers must be paid at least the New Zealand adult minimum wage.
Jobs for this visa are covered by the seafood (sea-based) sector agreement. The minimum pay rate under this sector agreement is calculated using the
The minimum pay rate for this visa is updated in October each year.
Fishing crew employment conditions
| Sector | From 1 April 2025 (in NZD) |
|---|---|
| Seafood (sea-based) Fishing crew (minimum wage plus $6) | $29.50 |
This visa closed to new applications on 4 July 2022.