01 / options

Which residence pathway could fit?

There is no single route that suits everyone. These are common starting points, not a complete list or a decision on your eligibility.

01

Skilled Migrant Category

For skilled workers who meet one of the SMC pathways. Look beyond a points total: your job and the evidence supporting your application matter too.

Explore skilled residence
02

Straight to Residence

For eligible Green List Tier 1 roles with an accredited employer. The occupation-specific requirements must also be met.

Check INZ Tier 1 requirements
03

Work to Residence

For eligible Green List Tier 2 workers after qualifying New Zealand employment. INZ currently requires 24 months of qualifying work, alongside other conditions.

Check INZ Tier 2 requirements
04

Partnership residence

A separate route for eligible partners of New Zealand citizens or residents. Your relationship evidence and supporting partner’s eligibility are central.

Understand partnership options
02 / planning

Plan the application around your life.

A useful residence discussion starts with what you want to do next: accept a role, stay with family, change careers or make New Zealand your long-term home. Bring your current visa details and the dates that matter to you so the conversation can focus on the practical decisions ahead.

Prepare a short summary of your job duties, pay, qualifications, registration and employment history. If your partner or children are part of your plans, mention them at the start. An overview of your circumstances is more useful for an initial enquiry than sending a large, unorganised file of sensitive documents.

03 / permanent

Residence and permanent residence are different.

A resident visa and a Permanent Resident Visa are not interchangeable. A Permanent Resident Visa has its own requirements, including the relevant period holding residence, meeting visa conditions and demonstrating commitment to New Zealand. Reaching two years alone does not make approval automatic.

If travel is part of your plans, check your existing visa’s travel conditions before booking. Ask for advice about the visa you actually hold rather than relying on a general description of “PR”.

04 / prepare

Make your first enquiry useful.

  • Your current visa type and expiry date, if applicable.
  • Your job title, a short description of duties and whether you have an offer.
  • Where your qualifications were gained and any occupational registration.
  • Who you would like to include and your intended timeline.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Residence visas questions.

Does a work visa guarantee residence?

No. Work and residence applications have different requirements. A job or work visa may be relevant to a residence pathway, but it is not a promise of approval.

Should I start with the points calculator?

It can be a useful starting point for the points-based SMC pathway. It does not assess every residence pathway or replace an individual eligibility review.

Can I include my family?

Some residence categories allow eligible partners and dependent children to be included. The rules depend on the category and each person’s circumstances.

Official sources

Immigration summaries checked against these sources on 15 November 2026. Rules can change. This is general information, not an individual assessment; INZ decides visa applications.