Straight to Residence Visa

The Straight to Residence Visa allows skilled workers to become New Zealand residents immediately, without waiting periods, if they work in a highly skilled occupation listed on the Green List Tier 1 and have a job or job offer with an accredited employer.

To apply you must:

• Work in or have a job offer for a Green List Tier 1 occupation.
• Have an employer who is accredited under New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa system.
• Meet the specific qualification, experience, or occupational registration requirements for the Tier 1 role.
• Work full-time (at least 30 hours per week).
• Be aged 55 or under.
• Meet English language, health, and character requirements.
• Hold (or have applied for) an eligible work visa that allows you to work in the qualifying job.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• Your occupation must be listed on the Green List Tier 1.
• You must meet the exact skill, qualification, or registration requirements for your role as listed in Tier 1.
• Your job or job offer must be:
  • Full-time (30+ hours per week)
  • With an accredited employer
  • Genuine and paid at market rate
• You must be able to apply immediately after you begin working or receive the job offer — no minimum work duration required.
• You must meet English language, health, and character requirements for residence.
• You must earn at least the required wage level for your occupation, where applicable.

Once granted, the Straight to Residence Visa allows you to:

• Live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely as a resident.
• Hold travel conditions for 2 years, after which you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.

You must currently:

• Be working in a Green List Tier 1 occupation or
• Have a valid job offer in a Tier 1 occupation
  The employer must be accredited, and the job must meet full-time, wage, and skill requirements.
  No minimum work duration is required — you can apply as soon as conditions are met.

Processing times vary but are generally faster than other residence categories due to the clear skill criteria.Most complete applications are processed within 2 to 4 months, depending on verification needs.

The application fee for the Straight to Residence Visa is approximately NZD 4,290–4,500, depending on where you apply from.
Additional costs may include:

• Medical and chest X-ray exams
• Police checks
• Translation fees
• Immigration levy (usually included in the visa fee)

The Straight to Residence Visa is one of New Zealand’s fastest and most direct pathways to residence. If you work in a Green List Tier 1 occupation and meet all skill, wage, health, character, and employer requirements, you can apply for residence immediately—without waiting periods. It’s ideal for highly skilled professionals who want a direct route to living and settling in New Zealand long-term.