Residence Visa
There are a number of pathways available to qualify for and obtain a residence visa in New Zealand which will offer you the opportunity to live and work permanently in New Zealand.You will need to meet specific requirements for your occupation, skills, qualification, health, and character. The main residence categories are:
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) applies to applicants who are:
Work to Residence Categories
Working temporarily in New Zealand can be used as a stepping stone to gaining residence and living here permanently. If you possess exceptional skills, talents, work experience and qualifications that are needed by New Zealand employers you can apply to work under the Work to Residence category.
You must meet the following standard requirements for a Work to Residence Visa:
If your occupation is on the Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) you may be eligible to apply under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work category. The LTSSL is a list of skills and occupations that New Zealand needs and for which there is an on-going demand. NB-this list is continually updated,
If your occupation is not on the LTSSL and you have a job offer from a New Zealand employer, you may be eligible to apply under the ‘Talent (Accredited Employers) Work category. An ‘Accredited Employer’ is a New Zealand employer/company/organisation that is accredited to recruit staff from overseas - there are specific requirements that employers must meet.
If you have a recognised talent/ability in the arts, culture or sports and your time in New Zealand will enhance the country’s reputation, you may be eligible for the ‘Our Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work category’. You will need to meet specific requirements for this category.
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) applies to applicants who are:
- Aged 55 or under
- Healthy and of good character
- Able to speak English
Work to Residence Categories
Working temporarily in New Zealand can be used as a stepping stone to gaining residence and living here permanently. If you possess exceptional skills, talents, work experience and qualifications that are needed by New Zealand employers you can apply to work under the Work to Residence category.
You must meet the following standard requirements for a Work to Residence Visa:
- Health and character requirements
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand
- Be genuine in your intentions to work in New Zealand
- Have the right visa for your visit
- Your work must be in line with the conditions specified in your work visa
- You must not breach the time allowed by your visa
- You must obey New Zealand law
If your occupation is on the Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) you may be eligible to apply under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work category. The LTSSL is a list of skills and occupations that New Zealand needs and for which there is an on-going demand. NB-this list is continually updated,
If your occupation is not on the LTSSL and you have a job offer from a New Zealand employer, you may be eligible to apply under the ‘Talent (Accredited Employers) Work category. An ‘Accredited Employer’ is a New Zealand employer/company/organisation that is accredited to recruit staff from overseas - there are specific requirements that employers must meet.
If you have a recognised talent/ability in the arts, culture or sports and your time in New Zealand will enhance the country’s reputation, you may be eligible for the ‘Our Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work category’. You will need to meet specific requirements for this category.