Thinking about making New Zealand your long-term home?

What is the Work to Residence Visa?

Once you’ve completed 24 months in a Tier 2 Green List role while holding a work visa, you can apply for the Work to Residence Resident Visa.

What is the Green List?

The Green List is Immigration NZ’s list of roles that are in demand.

• Tier 1 roles → qualify for the Straight to Residence Visa.
• Tier 2 roles → qualify for the Work to Residence Visa.

Each role has its own requirements. Some require registration with a professional body, a minimum qualification, or specific years of work experience.

🔗 Check the latest Green List roles and requirements on INZ’s website.

What roles are on the Green List Tier 2?

Examples of Tier 2 roles include:

• Early childhood teachers
• Aged care registered nurses
• Telecommunications technicians
• Engineering technicians

This list changes. A role that qualifies today may not be eligible in future. Always check before applying.

Who is eligible for the Work to Residence Visa?

To meet the Work to Residence Visa NZ requirements, you must:

• Have been employed in a Tier 2 Green List role for two years.

• • Work for an accredited employer.
  • Work full-time (30+ hours per week).

• Meet wage thresholds for your role, and any other requirements of the Green List for your occupation.
• Be 55 years old or younger at the time of application.
• Meet Immigration New Zealand’s health and character requirements.

Remember, it’s not just about job titles. You must meet all role-specific criteria — qualifications, professional registration, and pay rates included.

If you’re thinking about making New Zealand your permanent home, it’s worth understanding how the Work to Residence Visa stacks up against other residency options. Each pathway has its own eligibility rules, timeframes, and benefits.

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

• A standard temporary work visa.
• May lead to residence but not guaranteed.

Work to Residence Visa (Tier 2 Green List roles)

• Residence visa, allowing permanent stay in New Zealand.
• Must complete 24 months of full-time work in a Tier 2 Green List role before you can apply.
• Clear, defined pathway but requires commitment and planning.

Straight to Residence Visa (Tier 1 Green List roles)

• Immediate residence eligibility if you have a job in a Tier 1 Green List role.
• You don’t need to complete 24 months first.
• Often the fastest pathway if you’re in a qualifying occupation.

Permanent Resident Visa

• Available to most resident visa holders after holding residence for 2 years.
• Requires you to show commitment to New Zealand (time spent here, or business or investment ties, etc.).
• Once granted, gives you the lifetime ability to leave New Zealand and return at any time.

Which pathway is right for you?

It depends on your job role, qualifications, and long-term plans. Some people qualify immediately for the Straight to Residence Visa. For many, the Accredited Employer Work Visa is the first step that later leads to residence under categories such as the Work to Residence Visa (Tier 2 Green List) or the Skilled Migrant Category.

The important thing is to evaluate all the options carefully, understand the criteria, and choose the path that best matches your situation.

What can go wrong?

1. Frequent job changes
   Changing employers is allowed, but every new role must be eligible (on the Green List). Too many changes may raise red flags.
2. Fine print in eligibility
   Some roles require specific qualifications, professional registration, or pay rates. If you don’t meet every requirement on the Green List, your residence application may be declined even after two years of work.
3. Employer loses accreditation
   While you don’t have to work for an accredited employer for the whole two years before applying for residence, your employer must be accredited at the time you apply for residence or at the time INZ decides your application.

Why do people get stuck?

From what we’ve seen, there are two common problems:

1. Not knowing what you don’t know. Applicants often miss small details in the criteria and only realise too late.
2. Weak evidence. Documents may not meet INZ’s standards. Sometimes additional evidence or a different presentation is needed.

This is why many people choose to work with a licensed immigration adviser. We can review your application, identify risks, and help present the strongest possible case.

How to avoid common mistakes in your Work to Residence Visa application

• Confirm your job offer matches the exact Green List criteria.
• Keep detailed records — payslips, tax summaries, job descriptions.
• Stick with reputable, stable accredited employers.

Can I change employers during the 24 months?
Yes, but each new role must still be eligible (on the Green List). Too many changes may cause issues.

Can I bring my family?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in your resident visa application.

When can I apply for residence?
Once you’ve completed 24 months of eligible work, you can apply for NZ residency through the Work to Residence Resident Visa.

What happens if my role is removed from the Green List?
You can still be eligible, so long as your employment is in an occupation that was previously on the Green List at some point in your 24-month period of work, and you have completed 24 months work in New Zealand in that occupation.

What’s the difference between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa?
A Resident Visa lets you stay indefinitely and gives you travel conditions (the ability to return to New Zealand while still holding a resident visa), usually valid for 24 months. A Permanent Resident Visa lets you stay indefinitely and travel freely without conditions for an indefinite (lifelong) period.