Policy verified from immigration.govt.nz as of 2026-04-13
Work to Residence pathways in New Zealand allow temporary work visa holders to transition to permanent residence after completing qualifying employment periods. Key routes include the Green List Tier 2 (residence after 24 months) and the Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway.
Source: immigration.govt.nz — 2026-04-13
Pathways to Residence Through Work
Green List Tier 2 — Residence After 24 Months
If your occupation is on Green List Tier 2, you can apply for residence after 24 months of qualifying employment in New Zealand. This is one of the most straightforward paths from work to permanent settlement.
Care Workforce Work to Residence
Healthcare and aged care workers may qualify for residence through the Care Workforce pathway after meeting specific employment and qualification criteria.
Skilled Migrant Category
The Skilled Migrant Category is a points-based residence pathway that assesses your job, qualifications, and wage. Many work visa holders use this route once they have established skilled employment in New Zealand.
Eligibility Requirements
- Currently holding a valid work visa in New Zealand
- Employed in a qualifying role for the required period
- Meeting wage thresholds set by INZ
- Meeting health and character requirements
- Holding a valid passport
How ProVisas Helps
- We assess which residence pathway is strongest for your situation
- We plan your transition from work visa to residence from day one
- We prepare your residence application with complete documentation
- We include your partner and dependent children in the application where eligible
Planning your residence pathway early — ideally when you first arrive on a work visa — gives you the best chance of a smooth transition. A licensed adviser helps you avoid choices that could limit your options later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Work to Residence allows you to transition from a temporary work visa to permanent residence after completing a qualifying period of employment in New Zealand — typically 24 months.
The main pathways include Green List Tier 2 (residence after 24 months), the Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway, and the Skilled Migrant Category for eligible workers.
For Green List Tier 2, you need 24 months of qualifying employment. Other pathways may have different requirements. ProVisas can advise on the specific timeline for your situation.
Yes. When you apply for residence through a Work to Residence pathway, you can typically include your partner and dependent children in your application.
If your occupation is not on the Green List, you may still qualify for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or other pathways. ProVisas assesses all options during your free consultation.
