New Zealand Straight to Residence visa

People aged 55 or younger who meet the requirements for a full-time Tier 1 Green List job or job offer with an accredited employer. ([immigration.govt.nz](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/straight-to-residence-visa))

• Age

  You must be aged 55 or younger when you apply.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Eligible job

  You must be working in, or have an offer for, a full-time Tier 1 Green List job with an accredited employer.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Job duration

  The job must be permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months from when you apply, or be a contract or continuous contracts for at least 6 months.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Pay

  You must be paid at least the rate specified for your Tier 1 Green List job, or NZD $35.00 an hour if no rate is specified for that job.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Requirements for your job

  You must meet the Green List requirements for your job; these can include a specified qualification, registration, professional membership or pay rate.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Contractor conditions

  If your job has a contract-for-services wage threshold, you must show 10 years of relevant experience and pay at least that threshold.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Overseas qualification

  If your overseas qualification needs an International Qualification Assessment, you must apply for one and include its results with your visa application.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• English

  You must speak and understand English. You can qualify through the specified citizenship and work or study conditions, or an approved in-person test taken no more than 2 years before applying. Minimum principal-applicant scores include IELTS overall 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 58, B2 First 176, or OET grade C+ in all four skills.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Health

  You and anyone included in your application must be in good health. Applicants aged 15 or older must complete a chest X-ray and medical examination; different examination rules apply to younger dependent children. Medical evidence must be less than 3 months old when Immigration New Zealand receives it.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Character

  You and anyone included in your application must be of good character. Those aged 17 or older must provide police certificates less than 6 months old when applying, from countries of citizenship and countries where they spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Included family

  If you include a partner or dependent children aged 24 or younger, you must prove your genuine relationship. A partner or dependent child aged 16 or older must meet the English requirement or pay for English lessons in New Zealand.

  immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource

• Skilled Residence application fee, Band C (outside New Zealand, rest of world)immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$2,880 once
• Skilled Residence immigration levy, unless exemptimmigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$3,570 once
• Skilled Residence application fee, Band B (outside New Zealand, specified Pacific citizenships)immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$1,860 once

1. Get ready

   • Check your Green List role

     Confirm that your job is Tier 1 and check its qualification, registration, experience and pay requirements.

   • Gather proof of your job

     Get documents from your accredited employer showing your position, hours, pay and duration of employment.

     You’ll need: Employment agreement or job offer, Contracts, if applicable, Evidence that you meet your role’s Green List requirements

   • Prepare identity and English evidence

     Gather your passport, an acceptable photo and evidence that you meet the English requirement.

     You’ll need: Passport or certificate of identity, Acceptable photo, English language evidence

   • Arrange health checks

     Complete the required medical examination and chest X-ray, keeping in mind that the evidence must be less than 3 months old when received.

     You’ll need: Medical evidence, Chest X-ray evidence, if required

   • Get police certificates

     Obtain the required certificates so they are less than 6 months old when you apply.

     You’ll need: Police certificates, if required

   • Prepare family documents and translations

     If including family, gather proof of identity and relationship, and provide certified English translations alongside originals of documents not in English.

     You’ll need: Family identity and relationship documents, if applicable, Certified English translations and original documents, if applicable

2. Apply

   • Apply online and pay

     Log in or create an account, complete the application, upload your documents and pay the applicable fees.

     You’ll need: Completed online application, Supporting documents

3. Visa

   • Check your application and decision

     Check your status online and respond if Immigration New Zealand asks for more information; if approved, it will email you an eVisa.

     You’ll need: Additional evidence, if requested, eVisa, if approved

4. Travel

   • Travel and complete your declaration

     If you applied outside New Zealand, arrive within 12 months of visa issue and complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration for your journey.

     You’ll need: Passport, eVisa, New Zealand Traveller Declaration

After holding this visa for 2 years in a row, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. ([immigration.govt.nz](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/straight-to-residence-visa))

• Resident visa wait times :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• INZ 1028 Fees Guideimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• English language requirements for skilled residence visas :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• immigration.govt.nz/work/requirements-for-work-visas/green-list-occup…Official
• Straight to Residence Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
• Green List pathway to residence :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.