Straight to Residence Visa

The Straight to Residence Visa provides a pathway for skilled workers to obtain New Zealand residency either immediately upon arrival or directly from overseas

This visa is designed for individuals employed by, or holding a job offer from, an accredited employer, with their occupation listed in Tier 1 of New Zealand’s Green List.
Eligible applicants can bring their partners and dependent children aged 24 years or younger under the same application.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Straight to Residence Visa, you must meet several eligibility conditions and provide supporting documentation.

General Eligibility

You must be employed by, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer.
Your role must be listed under Tier 1 of the Green List and satisfy the specific role requirements.
You must submit comprehensive evidence to support your application. Insufficient documentation can result in a declined application without a refund.

Benefits of the Visa

With a Straight to Residence Visa, you can:

Live, work, and study in New Zealand

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Requirements

Character Requirements

Applicants aged 17 and over must supply police certificates from:

Every country of citizenship
Any country where they have lived for 12 months or more within the last 10 years

Health Requirements

You and any included family members must meet New Zealand’s health standards by completing:

A chest X-ray
A general medical examination

Age Requirement

You must be aged 55 years or younger at the time of application.

Relationship Requirements

When including family members:

Provide marriage certificates, birth certificates, or other documents proving a genuine relationship.
If your partner or children already hold or are applying for a visa based on their relationship to you, they must be included in your residence application.

English Language Proficiency

Show English skills through:

Citizenship, education history, or recognized qualifications; or
English language test results (no older than two years at the time of application)

Employment and Role Requirements

You must meet the following:

Be in a Tier 1 Green List role
Provide evidence meeting role-specific criteria, such as qualifications, registration, professional membership, or minimum salary thresholds

If your qualifications are from overseas:

You may require an International Qualification Assessment (IQA), unless your qualification is covered by recognized accords like the Washington or Sydney Accord.

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