New Zealand residence is built around skilled work. Almost every strong route starts with a job or job offer from an accredited employer, and the clearest of them, the Green List and the Skilled Migrant Category, lead straight to a resident visa. Study is the second door: a funded qualification, then post study work rights tied to what you studied.
This overview covers the Skilled Migrant Category and its 6 points, the Green List residence pathways, the Accredited Employer Work Visa, the Fee Paying Student Visa, the Post Study Work Visa, and the care workforce route.
Quick view: New Zealand routes at a glance
| Route | Who it fits | Headline requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Skilled workers with an accredited employer job | 6 points, an accredited employer job, aged 55 or younger |
| Green List Tier 1, Straight to Residence | Workers in Tier 1 occupations | A Tier 1 job or offer from an accredited employer, meeting the stated requirements |
| Green List Tier 2, Work to Residence | Workers in Tier 2 occupations | 24 months of Tier 2 work in New Zealand, then residence |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Workers with an accredited employer offer | Accredited employer, approved job check, job token |
| Fee Paying Student Visa | Students with funds in place | Fees covered, plus NZD $20,000 a year to live on |
| Post Study Work Visa | Graduates of New Zealand qualifications | Length tied to the qualification, up to 3 years |
| Care Workforce Work to Residence | Care workers already in New Zealand | 24 months of care work at NZD $28.25 an hour or more |
Skilled Migrant Category: the 6 point resident visa
The Skilled Migrant Category has three pathways, and the points based pathway is the headline: you need 6 skilled resident points. You claim 3 to 6 points from one skill category only, either your qualification, New Zealand occupational registration, or your income, and you can add up to 3 points for skilled work experience in New Zealand if you fall short.
- A doctoral degree is worth 6 points. A Master’s degree is worth 5 points, or 6 for a New Zealand Master’s held with a bachelor’s degree and at least 30 weeks of full time study.
- Income points start at 1.5 times the SMC wage threshold for 3 points. The threshold is currently NZD $35.00 an hour, so earning 3 times it, NZD $105.00 an hour, gives 6 points.
- Two newer pathways recognise long relevant experience, or a listed trades route, instead of points.
Every pathway requires you to be aged 55 or younger, hold a skilled job or offer with an accredited employer (full time, at least 30 hours a week), and meet English, health and character requirements. You start with an expression of interest; if you are invited, you lodge the full application.
Green List: Straight to Residence and Work to Residence
The Green List is the official list of in demand occupations, split into two tiers. Each occupation has its own requirements for qualifications, registration and pay, and both tiers need a job or job offer from an accredited employer.
- Tier 1, Straight to Residence: if your occupation is Tier 1 and you meet its requirements, you can apply for residence straight away, including from outside New Zealand.
- Tier 2, Work to Residence: after 24 months working in a Tier 2 job in New Zealand on an acceptable work visa, meeting the wage requirements throughout, you can apply for residence.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The AEWV is the main temporary work visa, and it is employer led. The employer must hold accreditation, the job must pass a job check, and the employer then issues you a job token to apply with.
- The offer must be full time, at least 30 hours a week, paid at least the market rate.
- Minimum skills: two years or more of relevant work experience, or a qualification at Level 4 or higher on the NZQCF in the same field. A bachelor’s degree or higher can be in any field.
- Total stay is up to five years for most jobs, and three years for skill level 4 or 5 jobs.
- A partner and children cannot be included in an AEWV application, though they may qualify for visas in their own right.
Immigration New Zealand’s warning deserves stating plainly: job offer scams are common. An application will be declined if money was promised to an employer in exchange for an offer. Never pay anyone for a job token.
Fee Paying Student Visa
The student route is full time study with an approved education provider, for up to four years. You need an offer of a place, tuition fees covered, and full medical and travel insurance.
- Funds: NZD $20,000 for each year of tertiary study, or NZD $1,667 a month for study under a year. School study in Years 1 to 13 needs NZD $17,000 a year.
- Work rights: up to 25 hours a week in term time, and full time in scheduled holidays.
Post Study Work Visa
After graduating, the Post Study Work Visa lets you stay and work. Its length depends on your qualification: up to three years for a Master’s or Doctoral degree studied for at least 30 weeks. Other eligible qualifications are granted for the same length as the study itself.
Care workforce and sector agreements
Care workers have their own residence pathway: after 24 months in an eligible care role in New Zealand, paid at least NZD $28.25 an hour throughout, you can apply for the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa. The wider sector agreements that once let some AEWV jobs pay below the median wage ended on 10 March 2025.
Who this is for
These routes fit skilled professionals who can secure a genuine offer from an accredited employer, above all Green List Tier 1 workers; experienced workers and tradespeople building towards the Skilled Migrant Category; students who can fund a New Zealand qualification; and care workers already in New Zealand at the required pay rate.
Who this is NOT for
They do not fit anyone hoping to move first and find the job later, or anyone offered a job in exchange for payment, which is a scam. They do not fit anyone whose points, occupation or pay fall short today but who needs residence immediately, or anyone treating a student visa as a work visa.
The honest limits
This is an overview, not the full rulebook. Green List occupations, wage thresholds and Skilled Migrant Category settings change, and the SMC was updated in 2026. Check the facts against the official pages below before spending money. NVConsult gives guidance and support and does not guarantee visas; decisions rest with Immigration New Zealand alone.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How many points do I need for the Skilled Migrant Category?
A: 6 points. You take 3 to 6 points from one skill category, qualification, occupational registration or income, and you can add up to 3 points for skilled work experience in New Zealand. You also need a skilled job or offer from an accredited employer, and to be aged 55 or younger.
Q: What is the fastest route to residence?
A: Green List Tier 1, the Straight to Residence Visa. If your occupation is on Tier 1 and you meet its requirements, you can apply for residence straight away with a job or offer from an accredited employer, including from outside New Zealand.
Q: How does the AEWV work?
A: It is employer led: the employer must be accredited, the job must pass a job check, and the employer issues you a job token to apply with. The offer must be full time, at least 30 hours a week, paid at least the market rate. Never pay anyone for a job token or an offer; that is a known scam, and the application will be declined.
Q: How much money do I need as a student?
A: Your tuition fees must be covered, and you need NZD $20,000 for each year of tertiary study to live on, or NZD $1,667 a month for study under a year. You also need full medical and travel insurance.
Q: How long is a Post Study Work Visa?
A: Up to three years for a Master’s or Doctoral degree studied for at least 30 weeks. Other eligible qualifications are granted for the same length as the study itself.
Q: Is there a residence route for care workers?
A: Yes. After 24 months in an eligible care role in New Zealand, paid at least NZD $28.25 an hour throughout, you can apply for the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa.
Your next step
Not sure whether you fit the Green List, the 6 points, or the student route? Book a free 20 minute consultation. Bring your occupation, qualification and work history, and we will map the realistic route for your case, including the parts that will not work.
NVConsult provides education and application guidance, not legal advice. No visa, job or outcome is guaranteed. Decisions rest solely with embassies, authorities and employers.
Sources
The facts on this page are taken from Immigration New Zealand:
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa/
- Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category announced: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa-announced/
- Green List pathway to residence: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/green-list-pathway-to-residence/
- Accredited Employer Work Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa/
- Fee Paying Student Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-visa/
- How long you can stay on a Post Study Work Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/requirements-for-work-visas/how-long-you-can-work-on-work-visas/how-long-you-can-stay-on-a-post-study-work-visa/
- Sector agreements and wage exemptions for AEWV workers: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/requirements-for-work-visas/wage-rates-for-work-visas/sector-agreements-and-wage-exemptions-for-aewv-workers/
Last verified: 22 October 2026
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