Some of the visas on these pathways allow migrants to apply for residence straight away, such as the Straight to Residence Visa. Other pathways may require migrants to work in New Zealand before they can apply for residence, such as the Work to Residence Visa.
All these pathways require you to have relevant New Zealand employment in place.
Under the new Skilled Migrant Category, which came into effect in October 2023, applicants for the SMC will need to have:
The new Skilled Migrant Category is based on a simplified points system.
You need 6 points to apply for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. These can be made up from:
All applicants need a skilled job offer in New Zealand, and most applicants are required to spend time working in New Zealand before becoming eligible for residence.
The Green List helps to address ongoing skill shortages.
There are 2 streamlined residence pathways for people in occupations on the Green List – a ‘straight to residence’ path, and a ‘work to residence’ path.
The main requirement for both Green List pathways is the need to have a job in, or job offer for, one of the Green List occupations and meet the specified requirements on the list for the said occupation.
If you have a job or job offer for an occupation in a specified sector agreement, and you meet the specified qualification, registration, and wage requirements, you need 2 years of relevant work in New Zealand on a specified visa.
The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa allows care workers paid NZD $28.25 an hour to gain residence after 24 months.
In December 2022, the Immigration Minister announced a Transport Sector Agreement with a 2-year work to residence pathway for truck drivers and bus drivers.
As part of this agreement, bus drivers are eligible for a median wage exemption of $28 an hour if they are either:
Truck drivers will not receive an exemption from the median wage threshold as part of the sector agreement, as the market rate for skilled workers in a truck driver role is already above the median wage.
Bus and truck drivers are able to apply for residence through this pathway from 29 September 2023, if they have completed 2 years' of work experience.
In practice, several hurdles will have to be overcome before you can reach your goal of becoming a permanent resident in New Zealand as a professional.
Obtaining a job offer in New Zealand will be a vital component of your immigration process.
But while job hunting in New Zealand you will most probably experience that it can be difficult to get a job offer as long as you do not have a visa yet.
Some job listings even state: "Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand may apply."
To be eligible for a work or resident visa you will need a job or and offer of employment. With the introduction of the new Resident Visa Pathways for skilled migrants this is now even more valid than ever.
No visa without a job and no job without a visa.
At NZIC we have two teams of professionals working for you: Our Licensed Immigration Advisers and our Job Search Consultants.
They will provide you with expert visa assistance and an outstanding level of supports during your job hunt.
Together our Licensed Immigration Advisers and Job Search Professionals will manage and navigate your complex immigration process by closely aligning your visa process and your job hunt with each other and by working with you simultanously on all levels.
"NZIC guided me all the way through from getting my first work visa to permanent residency. Their job-seeker support was key when I first arrived in NZ, communication was always easy and clear. I'm very thankful for their help and definitely recommend their services."
____
A.F (Canada)
Find out more about our Fusion Service.