A Straight to Residence Visa allows someone with a job or job offer in a role on Tier 1 of the Green List to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely. After two years on this visa, holders may be able to apply for Permanent Residence in New Zealand.
Who can apply for a Straight to Residence Visa?
To be eligible to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa, you must:
- currently hold, or have been offered, a job with an accredited employer in a role on Tier 1 of the Green List
- meet any specific eligibility criteria for applications based on that particular role, such as:
- holding a qualification that is recognised as meeting an industry-specific national or international standard
- holding or being eligible to hold certain professional registration or membership
- prove that you speak and understand English, either through citizenship, qualifications or an English language test
- meet the standard good health and character requirements for New Zealand visas
- be aged 55 or younger at the time of application
- be paid at least the median wage (NZD $35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026), or the specific pay rate set for your role on the Green List, in a full-time job of at least 30 hours a week
Applications can be submitted from inside or outside New Zealand.
Partners, as well as dependent children aged 24 or younger, can be included in applications for a Straight to Residence Visa. Dependent children must be single, have no children and not be financially supported by a third party. Both your partner and any children over 16 will have to meet the visa’s English language requirement, or commit to paying to learn English when in New Zealand.
What does a Straight to Residence Visa offer?
If you are successful in applying for a Straight to Residence Visa, you will be able to:
- live in New Zealand indefinitely
- NB: this is not a permanent resident visa
- work for any employer in New Zealand and in any role (not just the one which you had when applying for the visa)
- study for any period of time anywhere in New Zealand
- travel to and from New Zealand freely providing that you have a valid travel facility on your visa
- travel facilities are usually issued for two years when the visa is first granted. In order to travel freely to and from New Zealand after this period, you should apply for an extension or variation of the travel facility or a permanent resident visa
How do I apply for a Straight to Residence Visa?
Applications for this visa, as well as any supporting information, must be submitted online.
The application fee for a Straight to Residence Visa varies depending on the nationality of the applicant and where they are when they apply. For most applicants the total is NZD $6,450 (application fee plus immigration levy).
Processing times for Straight to Residence Visa applications vary, so we check the current timeframes for you when we lodge your application.
Recent changes to the Green List
The Green List was updated on 9 March 2026, when the median wage rose to NZD $35.00 an hour. Many health roles, including registered nurses, midwives and medical imaging roles, are now on Tier 1. See our Green List roles page for the full current list.
Your job, employer and documents
- Employer: you must work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer.
- Type of job: the job must be permanent, or fixed term for at least 12 months from the date you apply. Contracts for services have their own rules, so check with us if you are self-employed or contracting.
- Pay: at least the pay rate set for your role on the Green List, or the median wage (NZD $35.00 an hour) where no specific rate applies.
- English: through citizenship, study or qualifications, or an English test result no more than 2 years old.
- Health: applicants aged 15 or older need a medical examination and chest X-ray, less than 3 months old when Immigration New Zealand receives them.
- Character: applicants aged 17 or older need police certificates less than 6 months old when you apply.
- From outside New Zealand: if you apply offshore and your visa is granted, you must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months.
Straight to Residence or Work to Residence?
| Straight to Residence (Tier 1) | Work to Residence (Tier 2) | |
| Who it suits | Roles on Tier 1 of the Green List | Roles on Tier 2 of the Green List |
| When you can apply | As soon as you meet the requirements, including from outside New Zealand | After 24 months of work in the role in New Zealand |
| Visa you get | Resident visa | Resident visa, after a work visa period (usually an AEWV) |
| Pay | Green List rate for the role or the median wage | Green List rate for the role or the median wage, throughout the 24 months |
If your role is not on the Green List, the Skilled Migrant Category may still give you a path to residence. Since 24 August 2026 it has a points pathway, a Skilled Work Experience pathway and a Trades and Technician pathway.
Straight to Residence Visa questions
Can teachers apply for a Straight to Residence Visa?
Some teaching roles are on Tier 1, but the visa is aimed at experienced teachers. Teachers must be paid at least Step 5 of the relevant pay scale, so newly graduated teachers usually do not qualify straight away.
Do I need a job offer before I apply?
Yes. You need a current job or a job offer in a Tier 1 role from an accredited employer. Without one, look at the Accredited Employer Work Visa or other work visas first.
Can I change jobs after I get residence?
Yes. Once you hold the resident visa you can work for any employer in any role. After 2 years you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which removes the travel conditions.
Can my partner and children be included?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger. You need to show that your relationships are genuine, and partners and children aged 16 or older must meet the English requirement or pre-pay for English lessons.
