New Zealand Straight to Residence Visa – Green List Tier 1

The Straight to Residence Visa is part of New Zealand’s Green List pathway, designed to attract highly skilled professionals into Tier 1 occupations. If you have a job offer (or are already working) in a Green List Tier 1 role, you can apply directly for residence — without needing to wait 2 years.

• You do not need to spend time on a temporary work visa (like AEWV) before applying.
• Your partner and dependent children can be included in the same application.

• Be aged 55 or under
• Have a full-time job offer (30+ hours/week) from a New Zealand Accredited Employer
• Be working in or have an offer for a Green List Tier 1 occupation
• Meet qualification, experience, or registration/licensing requirements as listed
• Be paid at or above the median wage (NZD $31.61/hr as of 2024) or a sector-specific threshold
• Meet health, character, and English language requirements

Here are examples of eligible roles and their requirements:

Full Green List Tier 1 occupations can be checked on the INZ Green List official page.

• Apply for residence immediately — no waiting period required
• Include your partner and children in one application
• Access public healthcare, education, and work rights
• No stand-down period
• Fast-track to Permanent Residency (PR) and later New Zealand citizenship

The principal applicant and family members aged 16+ must meet one of:

• IELTS: Overall score 6.5
• TOEFL iBT: 79
• PTE Academic: 58
• Cambridge English: 176
• Or a New Zealand or recognised overseas qualification taught in English

1. Get a Job Offer: Secure a full-time job from a New Zealand accredited employer in a Green List Tier 1 occupation.
2. Gather Documents:
   • Job offer letter & employment agreement
   • Proof of registration/licensing (e.g., nursing, teaching, engineering council)
   • Qualifications and experience
   • Passport, medical and police clearance
   • English language test results
3. Apply for the Straight to Residence Visa: Apply online via the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) platform. You can do this from inside or outside New Zealand.
4. Wait for Decision: INZ will assess your documents, employer accreditation, and role eligibility.

Processing Time: Typically 3 to 6 months, depending on the completeness of documentation and INZ workload.

Your partner and dependent children under 24 (unmarried and without children) can be included in your application for residence. They’ll receive residence status if approved.