Once you have been in New Zealand for 2 years on a Work to Residence visa, you may be eligible for residence status under the Residence from Work Category. There are 2 main types of Work to Residence visas – both allow you to work in New Zealand temporarily and then to apply for a Residence from Work visa after at least 24 months in the job.
Overview
Work to Residence: Long Term Skill Shortage work visa
Eligibility criteria include:
- you have a permanent or long-term job offer, and
- the job is in an occupation on the Long-Term Skill Shortage List, and
- your qualifications and experience match those required, and
- you meet the age, health and character requirements.
Find out more here.
Work to Residence: Talent (Accredited Employer) work visa
Eligibility criteria include:
- you have a long-term or permanent job offer from an Immigration New Zealand accredited employer (accredited because they frequently employ migrants), and
- your job offer meets certain requirements, and
- you meet the age, health and character requirements.
Find out more here.
Residence from Work Category
Residence from Work Category will allow you to live in New Zealand for as long as you like and an access most publicly funded service. To apply for the Residence from Work Category, you must have met the requirements of the Work to Residence Visa.
To be eligible for residence status you must:
- have been in New Zealand on a Work to Residence visa for 2 years, and
- meet health and character requirements, and
- meet the requirements of one of the 2 ‘pathways’ to residence.
