New Zealand Visa & Immigration Guide

Overview

New Zealand runs a simplified 6-points Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), a fast-track Green List for shortage occupations, and the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) as the main employer-sponsored route. Residence typically comes within 3–24 months of arrival for Green List roles, and citizenship is available after 5 years of residence.

How the immigration system works

Immigration New Zealand (INZ), part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), runs all visas. Employers must first gain 'accredited employer' status and pass a job check before hiring a migrant on the AEWV. The Skilled Migrant Category is now a straight 6-point threshold based on qualifications, occupational registration, income, or Kiwi work experience.

Best for

Skilled workers in Green List occupations (healthcare, engineering, trades, tech)
International students at NZQA level 7+ eligible for post-study work
Partners and dependants of NZ citizens, residents and work-visa holders
Entrepreneurs and investors (Active Investor Plus)
Working holidaymakers from 45+ eligible countries

6 structured pathways into New Zealand

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Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa

Medium

Points-based residence for skilled workers scoring at least 6 points across qualifications, occupational registration, income, or NZ work experience.

Who it's for: Skilled workers with a job offer paid at or above the median wage, plus qualifications, registration or high income evidence.

Timeline

6–12 months

Cost

NZD 4,290 (visa) + medical/police/IELTS costs

Documents

6 items

Requirements

Skilled job offer at or above the median wage (NZD 33.56/hr from Feb 2025, indexed)
6 SMC points (from qualifications, occupational registration, income or NZ experience)
Age under 56
Meet health, character and English (IELTS 6.5) requirements

Process

1Confirm 6-point eligibility and job offer
2Apply for residence directly (no EOI stage)
3Provide medical, police, English evidence
4Receive decision within INZ's published timeframes

Documents

• Passport
• Job offer/contract
• Qualifications + NZQA assessment if required
• Occupational registration
• IELTS
• Medical + police

Common mistakes

• Assuming pay just above minimum meets 'skilled' — must be median wage
• Missing NZQA International Qualifications Assessment for non-listed degrees

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

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Green List — Straight to Residence

Medium

Tier 1 Green List occupations (doctors, ICU nurses, senior engineers, ICT architects, etc.) can apply for residence immediately with a qualifying job offer.

Who it's for: Workers in Tier 1 Green List occupations with a job offer from an accredited employer.

Timeline

3–6 months typical

Cost

NZD 4,290 residence fee

Documents

5 items

Requirements

Tier 1 Green List occupation
Accredited employer job offer
Registration if required (e.g. NZ Medical Council)
Health, character and English

Process

1Employer confirms accreditation
2Submit residence application
3Provide qualifications, registration, medicals

Documents

• Passport
• Job offer
• Registration
• Qualifications
• Medicals + police

Common mistakes

• Applying under Tier 1 for a role that is actually Tier 2 (work-to-residence 24 months)

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

work

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Medium

The main employer-sponsored temporary work visa, valid up to 5 years and available only for jobs with accredited employers that pass a job check.

Who it's for: Migrants with a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer for a role paid at or above the median wage (with limited exceptions).

Timeline

1–3 months

Cost

NZD 750 (visa) + NZD 1,110 employer accreditation

Documents

4 items

Requirements

Accredited employer + approved job check
Median-wage salary (or listed exception)
Relevant qualifications or 3+ years' experience
Health, character, English (Skill Level 1–3 roles)

Process

1Employer accreditation → job check → job token
2Migrant submits visa application
3Provide qualifications, experience, medicals

Documents

• Passport
• Job token from employer
• Qualifications / experience letters
• IELTS if required

Common mistakes

• Employer not yet accredited when the token is expected
• Confusing AEWV with the old Essential Skills visa

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

study

Student Visa

Easy

Study visa for a full-time course at an NZQA-approved provider, with 20 hours/week part-time work rights and up to 3 years' post-study open work visa for bachelor's+ graduates.

Who it's for: International students accepted into an NZQA-approved course.

Timeline

4–8 weeks

Cost

NZD 375 (visa); tuition NZD 22,000–45,000/year

Documents

5 items

Requirements

Offer of place
Proof of funds NZD 20,000/year (tertiary)
Tuition paid
Health and travel insurance
Medical + police (long courses)

Process

1Receive offer of place
2Apply online with financial evidence
3Provide medicals + police (12+ months)
4Receive visa aligned to course length

Documents

• Passport
• Offer of place
• Financial evidence
• Insurance
• Medicals if 6+ months

Common mistakes

• Working more than 20 hours/week during term
• Missing chest X-ray for stays over 6 months from higher-risk countries

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

investment

Active Investor Plus Visa

Medium

Residence-by-investment visa (relaunched 2025) with two categories: Growth (NZD 5M+ in direct investment) and Balanced (NZD 10M+ in a mixed portfolio).

Who it's for: High-net-worth investors deploying capital into approved NZ investments.

Timeline

6–12 months

Cost

NZD 27,470+ application fees

Documents

4 items

Requirements

NZD 5M+ (Growth) or NZD 10M+ (Balanced) investment
Business/investment experience
English (Balanced only)
Physical presence in NZ during investment period

Process

1Submit EOI and get invited
2Transfer and invest funds in approved vehicles
3Meet presence requirements
4Receive residence

Documents

• Passport
• Source of funds
• Investment agreements
• Business CV

Common mistakes

• Investing before receiving approval-in-principle
• Failing to satisfy the physical presence requirement

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

family

Partner of a New Zealander Visa

Medium

Work, resident and visitor visa options for partners of NZ citizens, residents, or work-visa holders in a genuine and stable relationship for 12+ months.

Who it's for: De facto or married partners of eligible NZ sponsors.

Timeline

3–9 months

Cost

NZD 2,710 – 4,290

Documents

4 items

Requirements

12+ months living together in a genuine relationship
Sponsor eligibility
Health and character

Process

1Sponsor completes support form
2Partner applies for work, visitor or resident visa
3Provide relationship evidence (joint tenancy, finances, photos, statements)

Documents

• Passport
• Sponsor form
• Relationship evidence pack
• Medicals + police

Common mistakes

• Thin relationship evidence — INZ expects a substantial dossier, not just a marriage certificate

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

Eligibility checker

Check your eligibility for New Zealand

Smart eligibility checker

Find your visa pathway in seconds

Indicative results based on official government programs — not legal advice.

Citizenship

Used to detect visa-free agreements, reciprocity rules and country-specific quotas.Country of residence

The mission accredited to your residence handles your file. Third-country applications take longer.Destination country

Determines visa category, processing time and document list.Purpose / visa type

Different purposes route to different categories with very different success rates.

Real-world examples

If this sounds like you…

South African diesel mechanic on the Green List

Diesel mechanic is a Tier 2 Green List role — 24 months on an AEWV with an accredited employer, then straight-to-residence under Work to Residence.

→ AEWV → Green List Work to Residence

Read full case study →

Indian IT professional moving to Auckland

ICT roles paid above the median wage qualify under SMC's 6-point structure using degree + skilled employment. Green List Tier 1 ICT architects can go straight to residence.

→ SMC or Green List Straight to Residence

Read full case study →

Filipino registered nurse recruited by a DHB

RNs are Tier 1 Green List — registration with the Nursing Council plus a job offer at an accredited hospital allows immediate residence for the nurse and family.

→ Green List Straight to Residence

Read full case study →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does the Skilled Migrant pathway work?

You need 6 points, earned from a recognised qualification (3–6 points depending on level), occupational registration, income at 1.5× or 3× the median wage, or 3 years of skilled NZ work. Combined with a job at or above the median wage, you can apply directly for residence.

Can I bring my family to New Zealand?

Yes. AEWV and resident visa holders can bring their partner (who can also work) and dependent children, who can attend school as domestic students.

How long until I can get citizenship?

5 years as a resident, with 240 days present in NZ each year and 1,350 days across the 5 years. Good character and English proficiency are required.

What is the median wage for visa purposes?

As of February 2025 the median wage used for immigration is NZD 33.56/hour. It is updated annually.

Do I need a job offer for the Active Investor Plus?

No — it is an investor category based on approved NZ investments, physical presence, and (for the Balanced tier) English.

How long can I stay on the AEWV?

Up to 5 years continuously if your role is paid at or above the median wage. Lower-paid roles have shorter maximum durations and a stand-down period after the visa ends.

Can I switch employers on the AEWV?

Yes, but the new employer must also be accredited and go through a fresh job check. You need a variation of conditions or a new AEWV grant.

Official sources