The standalone Highly Paid Resident Visa was discontinued. Highly paid workers now claim residence through the Skilled Migrant Category with income-based points. Twice the median wage threshold + AEWV holding + skilled work experience is the current pathway.
Important update: The standalone Highly Paid Resident Visa is no longer available as a separate visa category. Highly paid workers now apply for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and claim points based on their income level. Earning at or above twice the median wage provides significant points advantages under the current SMC framework.
Under the current SMC, workers earning at least twice the median wage can claim additional points towards the minimum 6-point threshold required for residence.
To use this pathway, applicants must:
The pathway is accessible to high earners across industries — management, technology, finance, specialised trades, and any other sector where high salaries are common.
If you’re an AEWV holder earning above twice the median wage, the SMC offers an efficient pathway to securing residence. The order of operations matters: typically AEWV → 12+ months of qualifying NZ employment → SMC application with income-based points + skilled-employment points + (optionally) qualification and experience points.
Confirm the current twice-median-wage threshold against INZ’s published SMC pay-rate guidance before assuming you qualify. SMC point totals are calculated against the threshold IN EFFECT AT THE DATE OF YOUR APPLICATION — not the date you started your job. A wage that qualified a year ago may not qualify today (or vice versa).
Last reviewed . Information may have changed since this article was reviewed. For your specific case, talk to a licensed immigration adviser.