Residence from Work

As outlined on the Work visa page, a major overhaul of the employment-related visa categories was implemented in July 2022. Included in this overhaul was the removal of one of the main Work to Residence work visas, being the Talent (Accredited Employers) work visa. This, in turn, means that the natural progression to residence under the Work from Residence will be phased out as holders of existing Talent (Accredited Employers) work visa gradually apply for and are granted resident visas. Note that other Work to Residence and, subsequently, Residence from Work, categories remain unchanged.

There are two primary Residence from Work category applications:

• Residence from Work for holders of work visas granted under the Long-Term Skill Shortage List Work to Residence category
• Residence from Work for holders of work visas granted under the Talent (Accredited Employers) work visa category

Under both of the categories above, an applicant must have held their respective Long-Term Skill Shortage List or Talent (Accredited Employers) Work to Residence visa for at least 24 months.

Additionally, applicants must have met the minimum income threshold in force at the time they were granted their Work to Residence work visa.

Holders of a work visa granted under the Long-Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) Work to Residence category are eligible to apply for residence if they have held their visa for at least 24 months and, during that period, have:

• A minimum base salary of NZD45,000 per annum; and
• Full time and ongoing employment in an occupation that was on the LTSSL when they were granted their work visa or that is on the LTSSL at the time of their residence application; and
• Full or provisional registration (if required to practice in their occupation); and
• An acceptable standard of health and character.

If approved, applicants and their dependent family included in their application are granted New Zealand residence visas that allow them to stay in New Zealand indefinitely, work and/or study freely and travel in and out of New Zealand for a set period from the date of the grant of the visa.

Holders of a work visa granted under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work to Residence category are eligible to apply for residence if they have held their visa for at least 24 months and, during that period, have:

• Full time and ongoing employment with an Accredited Employer (or employer who is not accredited provided a Variation of Conditions was obtained); and
• A minimum base salary that meets the requirements (differs dependent on when the initial Work to Residence visa application was made); and
• Full or provisional registration (if required to practice in their occupation); and
• An acceptable standard of health and character.

If approved, applicants and their dependent family included in their application are granted New Zealand residence visas that allow them to stay in New Zealand indefinitely, work and/or study freely and travel in and out of New Zealand for a set period from the date of the grant of the visa.