New Zealand Residence Pathways based on Skilled Work
Different Residence Visas
There are currently three skills-based pathways to gain residence in New Zealand:
THE SKILLED MIGRANT RESIDENT PATHWAY
The Skilled Migrant Category Residence has historically been New Zealand’s main Residence pathway for migrants who are able to demonstrate an ability to contribute to and successfully settle in New Zealand.
The eligibility is based on points, which reflect applicants’ employability and capability factors.
From 9 October 2023, a new simplified points system will replace the old Skilled Migrant Residence.
The new points system will require 6 points to be eligible for this resident visa.
The first set of 3 points can be claimed from:
The applicant’s New Zealand occupational registration
OR
The applicant’s qualification
OR
The applicant’s high income
The remaining points can be claimed from:
skilled employment in New Zealand
THE GREEN LIST PATHWAY
The Green List is a list of all the jobs of which there is currently a shortage in new Zaland. If you have a job offer for an occupation on list and you meet the specified qualification, registration, and wage requirements, you can apply for a resident visa.
If you job is on the Green List Tier 1:
You can apply for residence immediately
If you job is on the Green List Tier 2:
You can apply for residence after working for two years in New Zealand
THE CARE WORKFORCE SECTOR AGREEMENT PATHWAY
The Care Workforce Sector Agreement contains a list of some occupations relating to this sector, of which there is currently a shortage in New Zealand. If you have a job offer for an occupation on this list and you meet the specified qualification, registration, and wage requirements, you can apply for a resident visa
You can apply for residence after working for two years in New Zealand
THE TRANSPORT SECTOR AGREEMENT PATHWAY
The Transport Sector Agreement contains a list of some occupations relating to this sector, of which there is currently a shortage in New Zealand. If you have a job offer for an occupation on this list and you meet the specified qualification, registration, and wage requirements, you can apply for a resident visa.
You can apply for residence after working for two years in New Zealand
Other things relevant to your settlement in New Zealand
Difference between Residence Visa and Permanent Residence (PR)
Frequently, people confuse or intermix the concepts of a resident visa and permanent resident (PR) visa. They are not the same!
Simply put, a resident visa has travel conditions attached to it while a PR does not.
The travel conditions attached to a Residence visa usually have a duration of 2 years.
The holder can leave and re-enter New Zealand freely but must return to the country before the expiration date.
A permanent resident visa (PR), has no travel conditions attached, so the holder can travel in and out New Zealand indefinitely.
How to apply for a New Zealand Permanent Residence (PR)
In order to be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Visa, you need to have veld your resident visa for a minimum of two years, fulfilled any requirements associated with it, and demonstrated your coommitment to New Zealand by satisfying one of the following criteria:
• Have spent enough time in New Zealnd (184 days per year in the last 2 years prior to the application) or,
• You have Tax residence status in New Zealand or
• You have made Investment in New Zealand or
• You have a business in New Zealand or
• You have Base established in New Zealand
Citizenship
There are four ways of becoming a New Zealand citizen, only one of them is relevant for migrants.
– Citizenship by birth in New Zealand
– Citizenship by descent
– Adoption
– Citizenship by grant
For the Citizenship by grant approach, the eligible applicant will need to be a New Zealand resident first and spend a significant period of time in New Zealand.