The Work to Residence programme
Gaining residency
New Zealand is an innovative and diverse nation, where skilled migrants are welcomed and respected. Under the New Zealand Work to Residence migration category, gaining residency is within your grasp if you can find gainful employment and meet the requirements.
The programme helps migrants working in New Zealand on a work visa to extend that visa to residency. It is possible to apply for a work visa after you have entered the country, but you must have a valid, current visa for your entire stay. If applying from inside New Zealand, you cannot already be employed, but must be genuine in your desire to seek employment.
What requirements must I meet?
New Zealand and Australian citizens and residents are exempt and do not require work visas to work and apply for residency in New Zealand. If you do not meet the exemption criteria, you must:
- Possess a valid passport, with an expiry date a minimum of three months past the date you plan to leave New Zealand
- Have the correct visa for your visit
- Be in good health, of good character and have a genuine desire to work in New Zealand
- Meet all requirements for the policy under which you have applied for a work visa (i.e. Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Policy, Talent Work Policy, Long Term Business/Visa Policy, etc)
Immigration New Zealand offers an online quick check diagram to help potential migrants determine if they are eligible for the Work to Residence programme.
What do ‘genuine desire’, ‘good health’ and ‘good character’ mean?
Firstly, your desire to work in New Zealand must be genuine. The New Zealand Government also requires that you be of good health and good character to enter and work in the country. This means that you, and any family members travelling with you, must be free of communicable diseases and have clean criminal records that contain no major convictions.
Candidates determined likely to impose a significant cost to New Zealand’s healthcare system are deemed ineligible, and include candidates who require dialysis treatment, suffer extreme haemophilia, have active tuberculosis or suffer from any condition that requires full-time medical care. Medical checks are required for every applicant, and police checks are required for all applicants aged 17 and over.
Understanding the policies
The Long-Term Business Visa/Permit will allow you to enter the country for the purpose of starting your own business and eventually establishing residency. Acceptance of this application will result in the issue of a nine-month work permit, after which additional permits may be applied for.
A job offer from an employer in New Zealand or the relocation of your current job to New Zealand, along with meeting the other basic requirements, will also most often result in the granting of a work permit/visa. This process is especially streamlined if your occupation is on the semi-annually updated Essential Skills Shortage List.
A less widely-available, but still valid, way of working towards residence in New Zealand is through an exceptional and recognised ability in the arts, culture or sports. Obtaining a work visa for this reason requires sponsorship from a nationally reputed organisation.
How long must I wait to apply?
After working for two years through any of these policies, you may continue to apply for additional work visas or you may apply for residency.
You must be under the age of 56 in order to become a resident of New Zealand; however if you are planning on a long-term relocation, you need to start working in the country no later than your 53rd year (allowing you to work for the required two years before applying for residency).
If you meet all of the requirements, however, the odds are favourable for residency to be approved.
Visa eligibility and approval depends on the applicant's individual circumstances. To find out if you're eligible for a New Zealand Skilled Migrant visa, take Working In's free online eligibility assessment.
What next?
- Talk to New Zealand employers at an Opportunities Overseas Expo near you
- Get help with your NZ visa
- Search for jobs in New Zealand
- Find out more about the Skilled Migrant category