Work to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 2)
Residence after 24 months working in a Tier 2 Green List role.
Official New Zealand pageWho this route is for
Workers in Tier 2 Green List occupations (often trades and selected health roles) who first work in New Zealand before applying for residence.
Eligibility requirements
- Work 24 months in New Zealand in a Tier 2 Green List occupation
- Hold full-time employment (with the relevant role meeting required pay)
- Work for an accredited employer
- 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 2 = work to residence; the 24 months can be built on one or more eligible work visas such as the AEWV.
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.
Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1)
PermanentImmediate residence for people with a Tier 1 Green List job offer.
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.