What is the Work to Residence Work Visa?

The Work to Residence (WTR) Work Visa is a temporary visa that allows you to live and work in New Zealand for up to 30 months. After completing 24 months of full-time work in a specified role for an accredited employer, you may be eligible to apply for residence.

The visa is tied to Green List Tier 2 roles — these are skilled jobs in demand in New Zealand but require a longer demonstration of commitment through local work experience.

This visa is not the same as a normal Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). While both require a job offer from an accredited employer, the WTR visa comes with a defined pathway to residence, as long as the right conditions are met.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for the Work to Residence Work Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have a job offer (or be currently working) in a role listed on Tier 2 of the Green List.
• Your employer must be accredited.
• The role must meet the listed requirements on the Green List
• You must meet the wage threshold
• You must meet standard health and character requirements.

Importantly, your employment must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week) and genuine. This means you must actually be doing the work, not just holding a position on paper.

The Green List – Tier 2 Roles

The Green List is divided into two tiers. Tier 1 roles give you the option to apply for residence immediately (Straight to Residence), while Tier 2 roles follow a two-year work-to-residence path.

Examples of Tier 2 roles include:

• Early childhood teachers
• Aged care registered nurses
• Telecommunications technicians
• Engineering technicians
• Bus and truck drivers (with specified conditions)

The list is updated periodically, so it’s important to check whether your occupation is still eligible before applying.

Visa length and residence pathway

If you’re granted a Work to Residence visa, you can stay in New Zealand for up to 30 months. However, the key requirement is that you must complete 24 months of full-time work in an eligible role before you can apply for residence.

You must remain with an accredited employer in the eligible role during this period. You don’t necessarily have to stay with the same employer for the full two years, but each employer must be accredited, and the role must remain on the Green List.

After 24 months, if all criteria are still met, you can apply for the Work to Residence Resident Visa — the permanent version.

Key benefits of this visa

• Clear path to residence: Unlike other work visas, the WTR visa lays out a defined two-year path to residence from day one.
• Family inclusion: You can support visa applications for your partner and dependent children.
• Job stability: Knowing there’s a long-term opportunity in New Zealand helps both workers and employers plan with confidence.
• Time counts towards residence: The 24 months you work on this visa are not wasted time — they are an essential requirement for your future residence application.

Bringing your family

The Work to Residence visa allows you to bring your immediate family. Your partner may be able to apply for a partner work visa, and your dependent children can study as domestic students.

However, immigration rules for partners and children depend on your occupation and pay rate. For example, some lower-paid roles may only allow your partner to get a visitor visa instead of a work visa. These details change often, so it’s wise to double-check or get professional advice.

Common challenges and risks

While the pathway is straightforward on paper, there are still a few common challenges people face:

Role removed from the Green List

If your role is removed from the Tier 2 Green List during your two-year journey, you could lose eligibility for residence. This is why timing is critical. Get everything right from the start, including keeping records of your employment, payslips, and job responsibilities.

Employer loses accreditation

Your employer must stay accredited while you’re on the visa. If their accreditation lapses or is revoked, your residence journey could be at risk.

Frequent job changes

Changing employers often during your 24-month work period could raise red flags with Immigration New Zealand. While it’s allowed, make sure the new employer is accredited and your new role still meets Green List conditions.

Misunderstanding the Green List criteria

Some roles on the Green List have fine print, like requiring a specific type of qualification or minimum work experience. Missing these details can mean your residence application is declined later, even after completing the 24 months.

Tips for a smooth journey to residence

• Start with the right offer — Before applying for your visa, confirm that the job offer meets the exact criteria of the Tier 2 Green List role.
• Keep your employment records — Payslips, tax summaries, employment agreements, and job descriptions may be needed when applying for residence.
• Stay with compliant employers — Not all employers remain accredited forever. Choose employers with a solid track record.
• Keep an eye on immigration updates — Policy changes can affect your path. Subscribe to Immigration New Zealand updates or follow a trusted immigration adviser.

When to apply for residence

You can apply for the Work to Residence Resident Visa after you’ve completed 24 months of full-time work in a Green List Tier 2 role for accredited employers.

You do not need to wait until your 30-month visa is nearly over. As soon as you hit the 24-month mark and meet all the other requirements, you can submit your residence application.

Residence applications can take several months to process, so make sure your WTR visa doesn’t expire in the meantime. If it’s close, consider applying for a variation of conditions or bridging visa — but it’s best to time it well in advance.

WTR vs AEWV vs Straight to Residence — what’s the difference?

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): A standard temporary work visa. May lead to residence, but no guarantee unless you qualify for another pathway.
• Work to Residence (WTR): A specific AEWV with a built-in residence pathway, available for Tier 2 Green List roles after 24 months.
• Straight to Residence (STR): For Tier 1 Green List roles. Allows immediate residence application without needing to work in New Zealand first.

Each of these visas serves different situations. If you don’t qualify for Straight to Residence but want to move toward residence, the Work to Residence route may be your best bet.

Is Work to Residence right for you?

If you’ve been offered a role that’s on Tier 2 of the Green List, and you’re serious about settling in New Zealand, this visa could be a smart move. It gives you a job, stability, and a clear goalpost — residence in two years.

It’s ideal for people who:

• Are skilled in an in-demand area but don’t meet the Tier 1 Green List criteria
• Want to bring their family and settle long term
• Prefer a step-by-step journey to permanent residency
• Are willing to commit to at least 24 months of continuous work in New Zealand

But like all things immigration-related, small mistakes can have big consequences. That’s why planning, clarity, and good advice make all the difference.