Working in New Zealand
A job offer can be life-changing, but navigating visa requirements can often feel overwhelming.
We assist individuals and employers with a range of work visa applications and pathways, helping ensure applications are prepared thoroughly and professionally.
Our assistance includes:
Helping families put down roots and create a lasting future in
New Zealand.
Skilled Residence Pathways
Turning Your Skills and Experience into a Long-Term Future
New Zealand offers a number of skilled residence pathways designed to attract individuals whose skills, qualifications, and experience contribute to the country’s workforce needs.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible under one of several residence pathways.
Straight to Residence
The Straight to Residence pathway is designed for individuals employed in specific high-demand occupations that meet New Zealand’s residence requirements under the Green List Tier 1.
Where eligible, this pathway may allow applicants to apply for residence without first completing a period of employment in New Zealand provided they have an offer of employment with an accredited employer, meet the green list requirements, meet health and character requirements and meet English requirements.
Some occupations may require occupational registration or membership to meet the Greenlist requirements and apply for residence. Migrant Immigration Services will assist you in navigating these requirements to ensure that you meet the visa requirements and submit a compliant Straight to Residence visa application.
Work to Residence
The Work to Residence pathway allows certain migrants to build their eligibility for residence through qualifying employment in New Zealand.
This pathway is often suitable for individuals who have secured skilled employment and are committed to establishing a long-term future in New Zealand either through the Green List Tier 2 requirements, Care Workforce or Transport Sector.
Skilled Work Experience Pathways
For individuals who have gained valuable skilled work experience in both their home countries and New Zealand, residence opportunities may become available through pathways that recognise employment history, qualifications, and labour market contribution.
MIS can help assess whether your employment and career progression align with current residence requirements.
Trades and Technician Pathways
New Zealand has an ongoing need for qualified tradespeople and technical specialists across a range of industries.
Depending on your occupation and employment circumstances, residence may be available through pathways designed to attract qualified tradespeople. Under this pathway, you will require a NZQF level 4 qualification as well as post study work experience.
Helping skilled workers turn employment opportunitie
into permanent futures.
Points-Based Residence Applications
Some residence pathways assess applicants based on factors such as:
Points-based pathways can be complex to assess correctly and require applicants to correctly claim at least 6 points in their Expression of Interest before an Invitation to Apply is received. We help applicants understand their eligibility and ensure supporting evidence is properly prepared.
Partnership Residence Applications
Creating a Future Together
For couples who have established genuine and stable relationships, residence may be available through partnership-based immigration pathways. Whether you are married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship, careful preparation of relationship evidence is essential to a successful application.
Our assistance includes:
Evidence may include:
Parent and Family Residence Categories
Supporting Family Reunification
Family plays an important role in New Zealand’s immigration framework, and certain residence pathways may be available for eligible family members when programmes are open and applicable.
Depending on immigration settings at the time of application, eligible categories may include:
Family category requirements can change periodically, making it important to obtain current advice before beginning the application process.