Residence from Work Visa

Residence from Work Category

The objective of the Residence from Work Category is to enable the grant of residence class visas to those people who have been on a work to residence visa for two years. Residence from Work Category enables the grant of residence class visas to people whose talents are needed by New Zealand employers, people with exceptional talent in a field of art, culture or sport, people working in areas of identified absolute occupational shortage in New Zealand and religious workers.

Holders of Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Visa

You may be granted residence visa if you have held a work visa granted under this category for a period of at least 24 months. However, during the currency of this visa, you should have been employed full time in New Zealand by an accredited employer with a base salary of NZD 79,560 per year. You should also be holding full or provisional registration to practice in your occupation in New Zealand (if applicable) at the time application for residence visa is made.

Holders of Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Visa

You may be granted residence visa if you have held a work visa granted under this category for at least 24 months. However, during the currency of this visa, you should have been actively engaged in their declared field of art, culture or sport. You should also be still prominent in that field of art, culture or sport, and evidence should be there that your continued presence in New Zealand will enhance the quality of New Zealand’s accomplishments and participation in that field of art, culture or sport. You must be in New Zealand at the time of lodgement of your application for a resident visa.

Holders of Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa

If you have held a work visa granted under this category for at least 24 months, and have employment with a minimum base salary of NZD 45,000 per annum (excluding employment-related allowances) you may be granted a resident visa. The employment, however, would need to be calculated based on 40 hours’ work per week and should have been in an occupation that was on the Long Term Skill Shortage List. You must also hold full or provisional registration if full or provisional registration is required to practice in the occupation. You must be in New Zealand at the time of lodgement of your application for a resident visa.

To find out more about how to apply to under this Residence from Work Visa category, assessment criteria and the pitfalls that you should be aware of, please call us today on +64 9 379 0219 or email [email protected]