Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1)
Immediate residence for people with a Tier 1 Green List job offer.
Official New Zealand pageWho this route is for
Skilled workers with a job or job offer in a Tier 1 Green List occupation from an accredited employer, with no NZ work experience required first.
Eligibility requirements
- Hold a job or job offer in a Tier 1 Green List occupation
- Work for an accredited employer
- Be paid at least the role's required rate or the median wage (NZD $35.00/hour) where applicable
- Be aged 55 or younger and meet health, character and English requirements
Requirements reviewed July 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
Tier 1 = straight to residence with no prior NZ work. Partners and dependent children under 24 can be included.
Check your points first
Use the free Skilled Migrant 6-Point Calculator to see if you're likely to qualify before you start.
Other New Zealand routes
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
PermanentPoints-based residence for skilled workers, scored against the NZ median wage.
Work to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 2)
PathwayResidence after 24 months working in a Tier 2 Green List role.
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
PathwayResidence pathway for care workers after 24 months in the sector.
Active Investor Plus Visa
PermanentResidence for high-net-worth investors via a Growth ($5M) or Balanced ($10M) category.