Highly Paid Residence Visa

This visa has been withdrawn. Please consult our guidance on the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa or book a consultation to discuss your options.

To be eligible for this residence visa you must have:

• employment or an offer of employment in a role that is paid at least twice the median wage (currently NZD $55.52 an hour)
• been working for 24 months in New Zealand in a role that paid at least twice the median wage.

Your employer must also be accredited when you apply for this visa.

Acceptable work in New Zealand

Acceptable work in New Zealand can be counted towards a Highly Paid Residence Visa if you hold or held:

• an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
• another work visa or a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa (with work conditions) that was held or applied before 4 July 2022.

Acceptable work in New Zealand can be counted from 29 September 2021.

There can be small breaks in your employment. But you must still show you worked for the required 24 months within the 30 month period before your visa application date.

You can mix acceptable work criteria, such as working in a role on Tier 2 of the Green List and also any work earning 2 times the median wage.

Application fees

The application fee and immigration levy will be between NZD $4,020 and NZD $4,890 depending on whether you are applying from within New Zealand or another part of the world.