Imiatlas

🇳🇿 New Zealand

New Zealand Permanent Residency: requirements and how to apply

Direct residency for eligible professionals working in Tier 1 in-demand roles (software engineers, doctors, nurses).

Official New Zealand permanent residency page

Green List Straight to Residence Visa

Direct residency for eligible professionals working in Tier 1 in-demand roles (software engineers, doctors, nurses).

Typical duration
Indefinite Resident Visa
Path to permanent residency
Direct permanent residency immediately upon approval

Main requirements

  • Tier 1 Green List role
  • Median wage or higher
  • Age 55 or under

Official page

Documents usually needed for New Zealand

  • Job offer from an INZ-Accredited Employer paying at or above the median wage
  • For Green List roles: required occupational registration or specific qualification matching tier requirements
  • IELTS General 6.5+ or equivalent English proficiency certification
  • Full medical certificate and police certificates for every country lived in for >12 months
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months and a compliant photo (make yours here)

Application steps

  1. 1

    Job Offer & Employer Accreditation

    Secure job offer from an INZ-accredited employer matching Green List or SMC criteria.

    2 - 6 weeks

  2. 2

    Online INZ Application & E-Medical

    Lodge application online with verified NZQA credential evaluation and police clearances.

    4 - 8 weeks

  3. 3

    Resident Visa Grant & Permanent Resident Visa

    Receive Resident Visa, leading to Permanent Resident Visa (with indefinite travel rights) after 2 years.

    Post-arrival

More about moving to New Zealand

Helpful for your move

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Find a licensed adviser

For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.

General information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on the official website before applying.