New Zealand residence options

Visa Pathway Checker

Start with the connection that may lead to New Zealand residence. The checker will take you into either the skilled-residence quick check or a shorter family and investment pathway finder.

This is an initial pathway indicator, not an eligibility decision. Choose the option that best describes your connection to New Zealand. You can return here at any time and try another route.

Not sure which one applies?

Choose the connection that seems closest. The result will still direct you to a full Turner Hopkins assessment where all possible categories can be considered together.

Skilled residence pathways

SMC - Quick Check

Answer a few guided questions to see whether a Green List or Skilled Migrant Category pathway may be worth exploring under the settings taking effect from 24 August 2026.

This is a pathway indicator, not an eligibility decision. It checks the main structural requirements only. Occupation matching, exact duties, Green List role requirements, historic wage thresholds, qualifications, English, health and character still need proper assessment.

Your guide

Age check

We begin with the age requirement shared by the skilled residence pathways in this checker.

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First, enter your date of birth

We will calculate your current age and compare the time remaining before age 56 with any pathway that requires qualifying New Zealand work before residence can be lodged.

Age

Date of birth The principal applicant generally needs to be aged 55 or younger when the residence application is made.

Current age —

Age timing

Enter your date of birth to calculate the available residence window.

Where are you now?

This helps us avoid asking detailed New Zealand work questions when they are not yet relevant.

Location

Are you currently in New Zealand?

Why we ask

Being offshore does not automatically rule out skilled residence. A qualifying New Zealand job offer can still be important, particularly for Green List Tier 1 and SMC.

What type of work do you do?

Choose a broad area first. We will then narrow the occupation list and automatically check for possible Green List, Trades and Technician, Amber and Red List connections.

Occupation

Choose the area closest to your occupation

Now choose your occupation

Occupation list

Start typing to narrow the list.

Search within this category

Enter the occupation in your own words

We will treat it as requiring adviser review rather than asking you to classify it yourself.

Occupation or job title Use the title that best describes the work you actually do. ANZSCO code, if known Known Amber and Red List codes will still be recognised.

What is your current New Zealand employment position?

Your answer determines whether we continue to pay and work-history questions or give a shorter occupation-led result.

Current position

We will guide you to an early result

Your result will focus on occupation-based future options and the employment step normally needed before a skilled residence route can progress.

A more detailed check is now useful

We will ask only the essential questions about the employer, pay, New Zealand work and your strongest qualification or registration basis.

Your New Zealand employment and work history

These questions only appear because you have indicated that you are working in New Zealand or hold a New Zealand job offer.

Work details

Is the employer accredited? Guaranteed hours each week Full-time employment is generally at least 30 guaranteed hours. Employment duration

Do you meet the specific Green List requirements for the role? Each Green List occupation has its own requirements. Months of qualifying Tier 2 work in New Zealand The Tier 2 route generally requires 24 months of eligible work.

How is your pay expressed? Pay amount (NZD) Hours per week for salary conversion

When did your qualifying NZ skilled work begin? Leave blank if you have not started or the date is uncertain. Total relevant work experience Qualifying skilled work in New Zealand

Occupation classification added automatically

We will use the occupation selected earlier and only ask for a manual classification when the occupation was entered in your own words.

We could not classify this occupation automatically

Are any claimed years self-employment?

—estimated hourly rate

Enter your pay details to compare them with the indicative skilled residence thresholds.

Your qualifications, registration and trade experience

This final detail screen checks the points-based SMC route and the Trades and Technician pathway.

Skills

Qualification points from 24 August 2026 The exact award, place of study and study duration still need checking. Eligible New Zealand occupational registration points The registration must be on INZ's eligible registration list.

Indicative points preview

We will compare qualification, registration and income, then use the strongest single category.

Trades and Technician experience

Complete this if the occupation is on the list or you are not sure.

Relevant Level 4 or higher qualification? Total relevant post-qualification experience Post-qualification skilled work in New Zealand

Still a quick check: exact IQA or LQEA treatment, registration-specific requirements, job-duty matching, English, health, character and family eligibility require a proper assessment.

Your indicative options

Skilled residence routes worth exploring

We show the pathways supported by your answers and leave out routes that do not currently appear relevant.

0routes to explore

Turn this indication into a practical plan

A full assessment can confirm the occupation match and map the job, pay, qualification, registration and timing requirements. For people without a New Zealand job, early guidance is particularly useful before targeting or accepting a role.

Important: This prototype uses an occupation finder to check for Green List Tier 1 and Tier 2, the published Trades and Technician list, and the three SMC pathways available from 24 August 2026. It does not assess care workforce, transport-sector or other residence categories. Immigration settings, occupation lists and wage rates can change. A positive indication is not legal advice and does not establish eligibility.

Policy sources used for this prototype

Step 1

Residence pathway finder

Family and investment pathways

Answer a small number of focused questions and we will indicate which residence route may be worth assessing.

This is a focused first check. It does not assess every evidential, sponsorship, health or character requirement. The result is designed to identify a sensible next step, not replace a full assessment.

Your guide

Your connection

We will begin with the key relationship or investment requirement.

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Your indicative options

Residence routes worth exploring

We show the pathways supported by the answers provided.