New Zealand Immigration
New Zealand Work and Residence Pathways
New Zealand operates an employer-led work visa system alongside several defined residence pathways. This page sets out the principal routes, how eligibility is determined, and what the process requires.
Occupation Assessment
Employer Research
Documentation Support
Why New Zealand
Why Applicants
Why Applicants
Choose New Zealand
New Zealand attracts a smaller but steady number of skilled applicants from India. Six features of the system account for this.
Published Occupation Lists
The Green List and occupation requirements are public, allowing candidates to establish eligibility before committing.
Direct Residence Routes
Certain Green List occupations carry a residence pathway rather than requiring years of temporary status first.
Family Included
A partner and dependent children may be included, with partner work rights available on several visa categories.
Healthcare and Schooling
Residents access publicly funded healthcare and schooling on the same basis as citizens.
Smaller Applicant Pool
Application volumes are considerably lower than Canada or Australia, which affects competition for places.
Permanent Residence
A resident visa may lead to a permanent resident visa once the applicable conditions are met.
Pathways
Work and Residence
Work and Residence
Pathways
New Zealand's routes divide between employer-supported work visas and residence pathways, with the Green List determining which candidates move directly to residence.
Work
Accredited Employer Work Visa
The principal employer-supported work visa. Requires a qualifying offer from an accredited employer, alongside the applicable role and wage requirements.
Residence
Green List Tier 1
Occupations on Tier 1 may provide a Straight to Residence pathway, where the applicant satisfies all relevant occupation, registration and qualification requirements.
Residence
Green List Tier 2
Tier 2 occupations may provide a Work to Residence pathway, available after completing the applicable period of qualifying employment.
Residence
Skilled Migrant Category
New Zealand's principal points-assessed skilled residence pathway, revised in recent years across occupation pathways, qualification points and wage settings.
Sector
Care Workforce Pathway
A residence pathway for eligible workers in specified care workforce occupations, subject to the applicable employment and eligibility requirements.
Sector
Transport Sector Pathways
Specific pathways available to eligible workers in qualifying transport sector occupations, subject to current requirements.
How They Work
How Applications
How Applications
Are Assessed
New Zealand's system is employer-led rather than purely points-based. Four requirements determine whether an application proceeds.
Employer Accreditation
The employer must hold current accreditation with Immigration New Zealand before it can support a work visa application.
The Job Check
The role itself is assessed against wage, advertising and terms requirements before the candidate applies.
Occupation Classification
Occupations are being transitioned from ANZSCO to the National Occupation List for certain AEWV purposes.
Skills and English
Qualifications, relevant experience and English language ability assessed against the requirements for the role.
Our Process
Our Process
Because the employer must be accredited and the role approved before a candidate applies, identifying the right employers is the substantive stage.
01
Occupation Check
Establish where the occupation sits on the Green List and lists.
02
Employer Research
Identify accredited employers recruiting in that occupation.
03
Profile Marketing
Position the CV for New Zealand hiring conventions.
04
Offer and Application
Support the visa application once a qualifying offer is held.
05
Residence Pathway
Establish the route from work visa to residence eligibility.
Why Meeras Resource
Accreditation Status
Accreditation Status
Decides Which Employers
Can Hire You
A New Zealand employer cannot support a work visa unless it holds current accreditation, and many do not. Approaching companies without that status consumes months to no purpose. We establish where your occupation sits on the Green List, identify employers able to support an application, and set out the route from work visa to residence before you begin.
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Occupation Assessment
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Green List Review
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Employer Research
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Profile Marketing
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Employer Outreach
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Documentation Support
In Demand
Occupations
Occupations
in Demand
New Zealand's shortages are concentrated and clearly identified, which makes occupation the single most important factor in assessing prospects.
Healthcare and Nursing
Registered nurses, allied health, aged care and medical roles, strongly represented on the Green List.
Engineering
Civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering, supported by infrastructure activity.
Technology
Software engineering, data, cyber-security and ICT roles across Auckland and Wellington.
Skilled Trades
Electricians, plumbers, welders and construction trades, addressed through both work and residence routes.
Construction
Project management, quantity surveying and site supervision across residential and civil projects.
Transport and Agriculture
Qualifying transport occupations alongside dairy, horticulture and primary industry roles.
Client Stories
Real Journeys. Real Experiences.
Hear from clients about their experience working with Meeras Resource and what the process involved.
Featured Experience
★★★★★
“I had a great experience with Meeras Resource for my Germany process, with clear communication and professional support throughout. Their profile marketing approach presented my profile effectively to potential employers. I truly appreciate their dedication and support, and highly recommend Meeras Resource for international career opportunities.”
SS
Sapna Sharma
★★★★★
“Meeras Resource made my Armenia employment process smooth, transparent, and stress-free. The team was professional, supportive, and always kept me updated throughout the journey. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy consultancy for overseas employment.”
KS
Krishna Sharma
★★★★★
“Meeras Resource guided me at every step of my Canada process. Their professional, transparent and supportive team made the documentation straightforward and kept the whole journey stress-free. I would recommend their services to anyone exploring opportunities overseas.”
MK
Manish Kumar
✓
Verified client experiences
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Transparent guidance
✓
Client-focused support
Start Your Journey
Assess Your
Assess Your
New Zealand Prospects
Share your occupation, qualification and years of experience. We will confirm where your occupation sits on the Green List, which pathway applies, and how your profile reads to accredited employers.
Request an Assessment →
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About New Zealand?
Answers on the Green List, employer accreditation, the Skilled Migrant Category and residence.
There are two broad approaches. Occupations on Green List Tier 1 may provide a direct residence pathway. Otherwise, most applicants first secure an Accredited Employer Work Visa and progress to residence through the Work to Residence pathway or the Skilled Migrant Category, subject to meeting the applicable requirements.
The AEWV is New Zealand's principal employer-supported work visa. It operates in stages: the employer must hold accreditation, the specific role must pass a job check against wage and advertising requirements, and the candidate must then meet the skills and English requirements for that role.
The Green List identifies occupations in sustained shortage, divided into two tiers. Tier 1 occupations may provide a Straight to Residence pathway. Tier 2 occupations provide a Work to Residence pathway after a qualifying period of employment. Each occupation carries its own registration and qualification requirements.
For the Accredited Employer Work Visa and for Green List residence pathways, yes. New Zealand's system is employer-led, and the employer's accreditation status determines whether it can support an application at all. Identifying accredited employers is therefore central to any realistic plan.
The Skilled Migrant Category is New Zealand's points-assessed skilled residence pathway. It has been revised in recent years across occupation pathways, qualification points, wage settings and trades and technician routes, so the current criteria should be confirmed against Immigration New Zealand before relying on older guidance.
The Skilled Migrant Category applies a maximum age at the time of application. Work visa categories do not apply the same limit, though age affects the overall picture where a candidate intends to progress from a work visa to residence over several years.
A partner and dependent children may generally be included or supported, and partner work rights are available on several categories subject to conditions. Entitlements differ between work visa and residence categories, so this should be confirmed against the specific pathway.
A resident visa allows you to live, work and study indefinitely but carries travel conditions. A permanent resident visa removes those conditions and allows indefinite re-entry. The permanent resident visa is applied for after holding a resident visa and meeting the applicable requirements.