New Zealand · long-stay visa routes and official sources
9 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for New Zealand: Medium (50/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Student visa / skilled migration.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to New Zealand?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Student visa / skilled migration. Overall difficulty is rated "Medium" (50/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to New Zealand without a local job offer?
Yes — 2 of the 9 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Student visa; Visitor visa remote-work condition. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
The Fee Paying Student Visa is for students accepted by an approved New Zealand education provider who can show tuition and living-cost funding.
Typical timeline / duration: Study full-time up to 4 years on Fee Paying Student Visa.
Provide an offer of place or confirmation of enrolment from an approved New Zealand education provider, showing the course, length, study format, and scheduled holidays.
Show that tuition has been paid, can be paid, or is covered by a scholarship; the evidence normally covers one course or one year, whichever is shorter.
Show living funds: NZD 20,000 per year or NZD 1,667 per month for tertiary, English-language, or other non-compulsory study; NZD 17,000 per year or NZD 1,417 per month for compulsory education.
Meet the health, character, genuine-study, onward-travel, and medical/travel-insurance requirements, providing X-ray, medical, or police evidence where required.
An employer-led or qualification-based work route.
Typical timeline / duration: Temporary work visa tied to accredited employer/job; duration depends on role/pay/settings and may lead to residence pathways.
The AEWV requires a job with an accredited employer and meeting AEWV job-skill requirements.
The applicant generally needs at least two years of relevant work experience or a level 4+ NZQCF qualification. Extra evidence may not be required for a Green List role, relevant occupational registration, pay of at least NZD 67.12 an hour, or where the same evidence was accepted in an earlier visa application.
Employer must be accredited; job check/occupation/wage and skill rules apply; some roles have English requirements.
Green List Tier 1: residence applied for from offshore
Tier 1 occupations can apply for residence directly, without working in New Zealand first. It needs a job or job offer in that occupation from an accredited employer, plus the qualification or registration Appendix 13 sets for it. Note that no trades occupation is currently in Tier 1 — every trade sits in Tier 2.
Typical timeline / duration: 3-9 months
The occupation must be on the Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) list.
Hold a full-time job or job offer in that occupation from an accredited employer.
Meet the qualification, registration or wage requirement Appendix 13 sets for that occupation.
Meet Immigration New Zealand's health and character requirements.
Green List Tier 2: residence after 24 months of New Zealand work
Tier 2 requires 24 months working in that occupation in New Zealand on a work visa before residence can be applied for. Every trades occupation sits here. The gate takes three forms: New Zealand registration for electrician, plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer; an NZQF Level 4 qualification for the automotive trades; and an hourly wage threshold for the ten metal and panel trades added in August 2025.
Typical timeline / duration: 24 months of work, then 3-9 months to decide
The occupation must be on the Green List Tier 2 (Work to Residence) list.
Complete 24 months of full-time paid work in that occupation in New Zealand.
Electrician, plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer: hold the corresponding New Zealand registration. For electricians a Limited Certificate other than a Trainee one also qualifies.
Automotive trades: hold an NZQF Level 4 or higher qualification carrying the credit and knowledge requirements of the named New Zealand certificate. Motor mechanic and diesel motor mechanic may instead hold an NZTA vehicle inspector appointment.
The ten metal and panel trades: metal fabricator, machinist, fitter and welder roles must be paid at least NZD 43.63 an hour; paving plant operator, panel beater and vehicle painter at least NZD 38.59 an hour.
Points, skilled work experience, or trades and technician
From 24 August 2026 two new pathways open: Skilled Work Experience (5 years of relevant experience, at least 2 in New Zealand, paid at 1.1x the Skilled Migrant wage threshold) and Trades and Technician (4 years of post-qualification experience, at least 18 months in New Zealand, Level 4+ qualification). The existing six-point route stays, with a New Zealand bachelor's degree rising from 3 to 5 points, an overseas bachelor's from 3 to 4, and the New Zealand work experience needed for full points falling from up to 3 years to 2. Most applicants are assessed against the wage threshold that applied when they began accumulating qualifying New Zealand work. Unsubmitted draft EOIs are deleted when the new system opens.
Typical timeline / duration: 6-18 months
Be aged 55 or younger when applying.
Have a full-time skilled job or job offer from an accredited employer and claim at least six skilled-resident points.
Meet the English, health, character, and genuine-family-relationship requirements where applicable.
Submit an Expression of Interest first, then provide evidence of the claimed points and job after invitation to apply.
A remote-income route for applicants working for overseas employers, clients, or businesses.
Typical timeline / duration: Depends on visitor visa/NZeTA conditions; policy applies while holding visitor status.
All visitor visas applied for on or after 27 Jan 2025 allow remote work for an overseas business/client; self-employed digital nomads can work for clients outside New Zealand.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.