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Thursday, 17 September 2026
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New Zealand residence visa

Work to Residence Visa New Zealand Guide

For eligible people who have completed the required New Zealand work experience in a qualifying Green List Tier 2 job.

Who can apply?What work experience is required?Which Green List jobs qualify?What wage rules apply?Can family be included?
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Length of stayLive, work and study indefinitely
View official Immigration New Zealand pageDownload Work to Residence Visa PDF checklistBrowse all NZ visasNZ immigration news
Latest Work 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.

Work to Residence Visa requirements: who can apply?

  • be aged 55 or younger when you apply
  • be working for an accredited employer, or have a job offer from one
  • be offered or have a job that is full-time, and permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months
  • have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in a Green List Tier 2 job
  • speak and understand English
  • meet the wage rate and 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 Work 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.

Work to Residence Visa documents and evidence

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

Work to Residence Visa FAQ

What is the Work to Residence Visa?

For eligible people who have completed the required New Zealand work experience in a qualifying Green List Tier 2 job.

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

The current fee should be confirmed on the official Immigration New Zealand page linked on this guide.

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

Processing times can vary. Use the official Immigration New Zealand page linked on this guide for the latest published processing information.

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

Use the official Immigration New Zealand source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/work-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.