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Thursday, 17 September 2026
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New Zealand residence visa

Straight to Residence Visa New Zealand Guide

For eligible people working in, or with an offer for, qualifying Green List Tier 1 roles.

Who can apply?Which jobs qualify?What pay requirements apply?What evidence is needed?Can family be included?
Listen to this articleAudio accessibility
Length of stayLive, work and study indefinitely
CostNZD $6450
Processing time3 months Age range 55 years or younger
View official Immigration New Zealand pageDownload Straight to Residence Visa PDF checklistBrowse all NZ visasNZ immigration news
Latest Straight to Residence Visa checklist: The PDF is generated from the latest Immigration New Zealand source snapshot used by this guide and includes Webfit News branding, source details and the general-information disclaimer. Download a fresh copy whenever you need one.

Straight to Residence Visa requirements: who can apply?

  • be aged 55 or younger when you apply
  • be working for an or have a job offer from one
  • have or be offered a Green List Tier 1 job that is
  • speak and understand English
  • meet the other requirements of this visa.
  • live, work and study in New Zealand
  • include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in your visa application.

What the Straight to Residence Visa lets you do

  • live, work and study in New Zealand
  • include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in your visa application.

Straight to Residence Visa documents and evidence

  • certified English translations of any documents that are not in English
  • copies of the original documents.

Straight to Residence Visa FAQ

What is the Straight to Residence Visa?

For eligible people working in, or with an offer for, qualifying Green List Tier 1 roles.

How long can I stay in New Zealand on the Straight to Residence Visa?

The latest source snapshot lists Live, work and study indefinitely. Check the official Immigration New Zealand page because visa conditions can change.

How much does the Straight to Residence Visa cost?

The latest source snapshot lists NZD $6450. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with Immigration New Zealand before applying.

How long does the Straight to Residence Visa take to process?

The latest source snapshot lists 3 months Age range 55 years or younger. Processing times are indicative and can change.

Where can I check the latest official Straight to Residence Visa requirements?

Use the official Immigration New Zealand source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/straight-to-residence-visa/. Webfit News reorganises the public information for convenience but does not replace the official source.

Other residence visa guides

Looking for a different New Zealand visa?

Return to the main NZ Visa Guide to browse work, study, visitor, residence and family visa information or download another visa checklist.

← Browse all New Zealand visas
Not immigration advice: This page provides general, publicly available information for convenience. It does not assess your circumstances, recommend a visa, predict an outcome, or tell you how to answer an application. Requirements can vary by applicant and can change. Before making an immigration decision or submitting an application, check the current official Immigration New Zealand requirements. If you need advice about your personal circumstances, use an appropriately licensed or exempt immigration adviser.