Visa pathways for Dental Professionals looking to move to New Zealand

There are a couple of visa pathway options available for you to choose from to make your plan of migrating to New Zealand a reality.

Our Licensed Immigration Advisers can help you identify the right visa pathway for you and your family.

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The Green List Straight to Residence Visa

Your fast-track to residence in New Zealand.  

You might be eligible to apply for this visa if you are currently employed or have a job offer from an accredited employer, and your role is on Tier 1 of the Green List of in-demand occupations.

The Straight to Residence Visa allows you to stay in New Zealand indefinitely.

Immigration New Zealand is projecting to process 80% of all Straight to Residence Visa applications within 5 months.

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Significant advantages of the Green List pathway:

• This pathway leads straight to residence. No work visa required.
• You and your family can stay indefinitely.
• A very short visa processing time means that your status in New Zealand is safe within the shortest time.

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Can you qualify for a Straight to Residence Visa as a Dental Professional?

• Dental Professionals are on Tier 1 of the Green List. This is a great start!
• You must be 55 or younger.
• At the time you apply, you must be working for, or have a job offer from an accredited employer.

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Read more about the visa application process under the Green List policy

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‍The Business Investor Visa pathway

This new visa policy might be an alternative for you if you consider buying and owning a dental practice.

The Business and Investor Work Visa offers 2 options for investors. Both options lead to residence in New Zealand.

• NZD $1 million investment in an existing business, for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway

• NZD $2 million investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway

Applicants can purchase a business outright on either visa pathway or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum $1 million or $2 million investment thresholds.

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Significant advantages of the Business Investor Visa pathway:

• Both investment level options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.
• Applicants may include their partner and dependent children in their application.
• Applicants do not require a job offer from a New Zealand employer.

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Read more about the Business Investor Visa

The Business Investor Work Visa will be open for applications in November 2025.