Straight to Residence Visa
🇳🇿 New Zealand visas · Work
What it is
Fast-track residence for workers in Green List Tier 1 occupations (high-demand roles like doctors, engineers, ICT professionals). No points test required. Allows indefinite stay, work, and study.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Indefinite (travel conditions expire after 2 years)
- Processing time
- Up to 17 weeks
- Extendable
- No
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- Age
- Under 56
- English requirement
- speak and understand English
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee
- NZD 6,450
Key requirements
- Aged 55 or younger
- Employed in or have a job offer for a Green List Tier 1 role
- Employer must be AEWV-accredited
- Minimum wage NZD $35.00/hour or job-specific rate (whichever is higher)
- Job must be permanent/fixed-term 12+ months or continuous contracts 6+ months
- English language proficiency
- Meet health and character requirements (police certificates required)
Working on this visa
full work rights (resident visa)
Bringing family
Partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 26 July 2026.