Green List residence: Straight to Residence (Tier 1) and Work to Residence
Tier 2 · Official name: Straight to Residence Visa; Work to Residence Visa (Green List)
New Zealand's Green List names in-demand roles that lead to residence. Tier 1 roles go straight to a resident visa (Straight to Residence Visa) once you have a job or job offer with an accredited employer. Tier 2 roles lead to residence after 24 months of work in the role in New Zealand (Work to Residence Visa). Both need applicants aged 55 or younger, English, and pay at the Green List rate (or the median wage, NZD $35.00 an hour in 2025, when no rate is set). Both cost NZD $6,450 and give indefinite stay; a Permanent Resident Visa can follow after 2 years.
Life in New Zealand
Finance
3
Currency
New Zealand Dollar
NZD
New Zealand Dollar
Cost of living
89
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10.5–39%
Income tax (national)
GST 15%
39% applies to income over NZD 180,000; ACC earners' levy is charged in addition.
Living
1
Happiness
#11 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Workers with a job or job offer with an accredited New Zealand employer in a Green List role, with their partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger.
Eligibility
Tier 1: Straight to ResidenceTier 1
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need a Tier 1 Green List job or job offer with an accredited employer, paid at least the required rate.
Wage and time limits
- Median wage (2025)per hour, if no rate listed
- NZD $35.00
- Job lengthfrom application date
- 12 months
- Continuous contractsminimum total
- 6 months
- Contractor experiencemay be needed
- 10 years
- Job must be permanent or fixed-term
- Must meet any registration, membership or qualification requirement on the list
- Contractors may need pay at or above the contractor wage threshold
Official wording
Hold a job or job offer with an accredited employer in a Tier 1 Green List role. The job must be permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months from the application date (or continuous contracts totalling at least 6 months), pay at least the Green List rate for the role (or the median wage if no rate is given; NZD $35.00 an hour in 2025), and meet any registration, membership or qualification requirement on the list. Contractors may need to show 10 years of relevant experience and pay at or above the contractor wage threshold.
Tier 2: Work to Residence after 24 monthsTier 2
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need 24 months of work in a Tier 2 Green List job in New Zealand within the 30 months before applying.
Work time limits
- Work in Tier 2 jobcan be split
- 24 months
- Window before applying
- 30 months
- Work visa heldminimum
- 24 months
- Fixed-term job offerminimum, if not permanent
- 12 months
- Interim Visa or closed Critical Purpose Visitor Visa that allowed work can count toward visa time
- Need a current full-time job or offer with an accredited employer
- Wage rate is the one set when eligible work experience starts counting
- India Iconic Work Visa and India Skilled Work Visa work does not count
Official wording
Have 24 months of work in a Tier 2 Green List job in New Zealand within the 30 months before applying (it can be split), having held a work visa (or an Interim Visa, or the now-closed Critical Purpose Visitor Visa that allowed work) for at least 24 months. Currently work in, or have an offer for, a full-time permanent job or one fixed-term for at least 12 months with an accredited employer, at the required wage rate (set when the eligible work experience starts counting). Work done on an India Iconic Work Visa or India Skilled Work Visa does not count.
Age 55 or younger
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe principal applicant must be 55 or younger when applying.
55
Age limit
Official wording
The principal applicant must be 55 or younger when applying.
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