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Specialist immigration advice and tailored solutions for investors, entrepreneurs and their families.
Different circumstances. Different work visas.
The standard accredited employer work visa is one option, however New Zealand offers a range of alternative work visas depending on your circumstances. Completed your NZ studies? Have a NZ based partner? Need to work here for a specific purpose? Check which options might apply to you.
Points-based pathway
The points-based pathway uses qualifications, professional registration, or your income, coupled with NZ based work experience to determine if you meet the six-point threshold.
For some applicants, no NZ experience will be required and for others, they will need between one and two years of NZ based work experience.
Skilled Work Experience
For applicants who have skilled employment in New Zealand relevant previous work experience (in NZ and offshore), the Skilled Work Experience pathway might be the right choice.
You need two years of NZ based, skilled experience and three years of previous experience (from any county). Previous self-employment is not included.
Trades & Technicians
The Trades & Technicians pathway, provides a specific option for those will recognised trade qualifications and experience. There are specific occupation, qualification and experience requirements.
Applicants need to have a minimum Level 4 qualification, 18 months experience in NZ and two and half years of experience from any country (self-employment not included).
Green List residence options
Certain occupations are identified by INZ as being in high-demand and these roles are placed on your Green List, which offers a more streamlined process, for highly skilled professionals and tradespeople.
Straight to Residence
For qualifying Tier 1 occupations, you may be able to apply for residence directly, without having to accumulate any work experience in New Zealand.
The Green List specifies the occupation and key requirements (remuneration, qualifications, experience or a combination of all three), which are required to qualify under this pathway.
Work to Residence
For qualifying Tier 2 occupations, applicants can apply for residence after working in that role, in New Zealand for a period of 24 months (specific pay conditions need to be met as well).
Often referred to as a “work to residence” pathway, the Tier 2 Green List options is aimed at specific trade and mid-level skills.
Working holiday visas
For citizens of specific countries, NZ offers a working holiday visa, allowing you to travel and work in New Zealand - age, work limits and other conditions apply.
Entertainment work visas
New Zealand offers specific visas for entertainment workers coming to an approved event, or to perform a specific purpose.
Understand your options?
We will help you understand the occupation, pay and qualification/experience requirements, and then help you establish which work visa option is right for you.
Assess your eligibility. We review your skills, qualifications and experience.
Secure suitable employment. We help to ensure the job, employer and employment terms meet INZ requirements.
Plan your work visa pathway. We guide you through the documentation process, visa applications and all the steps in between.
Not sure which visa works for you?
Try our online assessment form, which will give us all the information we need to determine the most suitable option for your circumstances.
Clear advice for your work visa plans
Our licensed immigration advisers have extensive experience helping skilled professionals and their families move to New Zealand.
We provide clear, practical and accurate advice tailored to your unique situation and circumstances.
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Yes. To qualify for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), you must have a skilled job or job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
The employment must generally be for at least 30 hours per week and meet the relevant skill, salary and employment requirements.
You must also be aged 55 or younger when you apply and meet the applicable English-language, health and character requirements.
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Under the points-based SMC pathway, applicants must qualify for six skilled residence points.
You can claim points from one of three categories:
A recognised qualification.
Eligible New Zealand occupational registration.
Income from your New Zealand employment.
Depending on your qualification, registration or income, you may qualify for all six points immediately. Alternatively, you may be able to claim up to three additional points through qualifying skilled work experience in New Zealand.
The separate Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways have different eligibility requirements and do not use the six-point system.
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Yes. New Zealand offers skilled residence pathways that recognise practical experience and technical skills, not just university qualifications.
The Skilled Work Experience pathway generally requires at least five years of relevant work experience, including two years of qualifying skilled employment in New Zealand.
The Trades and Technician pathway is available for eligible occupations and requires a relevant recognised qualification at Level 4 or higher, together with at least four years of post-qualification experience, including 18 months of qualifying skilled work in New Zealand.
Additional occupation, salary and eligibility requirements apply to both pathways.
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The Skilled Migrant Category provides residence options based on qualifications, occupational registration, income or relevant skilled work experience.
The Green List provides separate residence pathways for people working in specified occupations where New Zealand has identified a need for skilled workers.
There are two Green List options:
Straight to Residence: For eligible Tier 1 occupations, potentially allowing applicants to apply directly for residence.
Work to Residence: For eligible Tier 2 occupations, generally requiring 24 months of qualifying employment in New Zealand.
Each pathway has its own occupation, qualification, registration and salary requirements.
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Yes. Eligible applicants can include their partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in a Skilled Migrant Category residence application.
You must provide appropriate evidence of your relationship, and your family members must meet the relevant immigration requirements, including health and character checks.
English-language requirements may also apply to your partner and older dependent children.
Including your family in the same residence application can allow you to plan your move to New Zealand together.
Your skilled migrant questions answered
Your work visa team
Expert advice from your team of fully licensed advisers. We understand the complexities of the process so you don’t have to.