Straight to Residence vs Work to Residence: Which Pathway Fits You?

New Zealand offers multiple pathways to permanent residence. Two of the most common are the Straight to Residence pathway and the Work to Residence pathway. Choosing the right one depends on your occupation, job offer, and long-term plans. Here is how they compare.

Straight to Residence

The Straight to Residence visa allows eligible migrants to apply directly for New Zealand residence without first holding a work visa. It is available through the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Green List Tier 1 pathway.

Green List Tier 1 – Straight to Residence

The Green List is a list of occupations in high demand in New Zealand. Tier 1 occupations qualify for Straight to Residence. If your occupation is on Tier 1, you hold a recognised qualification, and you have a job offer from an Accredited Employer, you may apply for residence directly.

Examples of Tier 1 occupations: Medical practitioners, midwives, secondary school teachers (certain subjects), and selected engineering roles.

Work to Residence

The Work to Residence pathway requires you to first work in New Zealand on a qualifying work visa for a period of time before you become eligible to apply for residence. The Green List Tier 2 pathway follows this model — you work in New Zealand for two years before applying for residence.

The Skilled Migrant Category also operates as a Work to Residence pathway in practice: you earn points based on your skills, age, job offer, and qualifications, and submit an Expression of Interest before being invited to apply.

Which Pathway Is Right for You?

Choose Straight to Residence if: Your occupation is on Green List Tier 1, you have a job offer from an Accredited Employer, and you meet qualification requirements. This is the faster route.

Choose Work to Residence if: Your occupation is on Green List Tier 2, or you are pursuing the Skilled Migrant Category. You will first enter on a work visa and apply for residence after gaining New Zealand work experience.

Key Considerations

• Check the current Green List at immigration.govt.nz — it is updated periodically.
• Your employer must hold Accredited Employer status for most pathways.
• Qualification recognition requirements vary by occupation and professional body.

Get the Right Assessment

Choosing the wrong pathway can cost you time and money. A Licensed Immigration Adviser can assess your qualifications, occupation, and circumstances against current Immigration New Zealand instructions to identify your strongest route to residence.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. Immigration policies are subject to change. For advice specific to your circumstances, contact a Licensed Immigration Adviser.