A Work to Residence Visa is appropriate for individuals who have at least two years’ work history in New Zealand, and who are looking to continue living and working in the country.
Holding a Work to Residence Visa for two years will satisfy the visa status element of the eligibilty criteria for a Permanent Resident Visa.
Who can apply for a Work to Residence Visa?
In order to qualify for a Work to Residence Visa, you must:
- have worked for at least 24 months in a Tier 2 Green List role within the 30 months before you apply, and have held valid work visas for the entirety of this period
- have been paid at least the median wage (NZD $35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026), or the higher pay rate set for your role on the Green List, throughout those 24 months
- currently work for, or have an offer of employment from, an accredited employer
- this job or job offer must be a full-time position (no less than 30 hours per week), either permanent or on a minimum 12-month contract
- be prepared to prove sufficient English language skills
- be aged 55 or younger
- meet standard good health and character requirements for New Zealand visas
What does a Work to Residence Visa offer?
If successful in your application, a Work to Residence Visa gives its holder the right to:
- live in New Zealand indefinitely
- NB: this is not a permanent resident visa
- work for any employer in New Zealand in any role
- study in New Zealand on any course for any length of time
- travel to and from New Zealand freely providing they still have a valid travel condition on their visa
- travel conditions for Work to Residence Visas are typically valid for two years, after which the holder must apply for extension of their travel condition or a permanent resident visa
Applicants for Work to Residence Visas are also permitted to include their partner in their visa application, as well as any dependent children aged 24 or younger. Please note that, if these family members have applied for their own visas based on their relationship to you, it will likely be mandatory to include them in your application.
How do I apply for a Work to Residence Visa?
Once you have gathered all the supporting information and evidence to support your application, such as employment contracts or correspondence formally confirming a job offer, your application can be submitted to New Zealand Immigration online.
How much your application will cost depends on your nationality, and whether you are applying from inside or outside New Zealand. For most applicants the total is NZD $6,450 (application fee plus immigration levy).
Other Work to Residence pathways
As well as Tier 2 of the Green List, there are Work to Residence pathways for some care workers and for transport workers who started on that pathway before it closed to new truck drivers on 7 April 2024. Ten trades, including welders, metal fabricators and fitters, were added to Tier 2 in August 2025. From 24 August 2026 the Skilled Migrant Category also offers a Trades and Technician pathway that may suit people in trade roles that are not on the Green List.
