Work to Residence Eligibility Extended

The Care Workforce and Transport Sector Agreements and the Green List Work to Residence visa categories will open for applications on 29 September 2023.

Eligibility for these work to residence pathways will be extended to include all types of temporary work visas including Critical Purpose Visitor Visa with work conditions. Workers will need to meet relevant occupation, qualification and wage requirements. Applicants must also meet health, character, age and English language requirements when they apply for residence.  

This expands on existing criteria where work experience on work visas other than an Accredited Employer Work Visa could only be if that visa was applied for before 4 July 2022.

These changes will align these pathways with the new Skilled Migrant Category settings, which will allow people to claim skilled work experience on all types of work visas.

Green List wage requirements clarified

Immigration Instructions now clarify that Green List Work to Residence applicants will need to meet the median wage requirement at both the start of their work experience and at the time they are applying for residence. 

There is an exemption for people in Green List occupations who applied for their work visa before 29 September 2023. They will only need to meet the median wage requirement at the time they apply for residence. 

Immigration Instructions have also been updated to confirm that Green List Straight to Residence applicants are required to have employment or a job offer that pays at least the median wage.  

The eligibility change is being made ahead of the Green List and Sector Agreements Work to Residence applications opening on 29 September 2023.  

For more information, visit https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/work-to-residence-eligibility-extended-to-non-aewv-holders