New Zealand work visas: Explore your options
Did you know New Zealand has five visas that allow migrants to work in the country?
Each of these visas has specific requirements, and some offer residence or a pathway to residence to successful applicants.
To determine for which visa you qualify, you must complete an immigration assessment with a licensed advisor. Before we tell you how to do that, let’s look at the different New Zealand work visas.
1. Skilled Migrant visa
The Skilled Migrant visa is a points-based visa that lets you live and work in New Zealand. It grants residence to successful applicants.
To submit an Expression of Interest, you must score 6 points. You can claim points from one of these three categories:
- New Zealand occupational registration
- Qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher)
- Income from a job or job offer (earning at least 1.5 times the median wage in New Zealand)
You can also claim 1 point for each year of skilled work in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 3 points.
You can combine these points with the points you scored in one of the three categories above.
Additionally, you must be 55 or younger to apply for a Skilled Migrant Visa, and you must have a skilled job or job offer with an accredited employer in New Zealand.
Learn more about the Skilled Migrant visa.
2. Accredited Employer Work Visa
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is for overseas workers with a full-time job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer. It offers pathways to residence to eligible visa holders.
To apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, you must earn at least the New Zealand median wage unless the job offered is exempt. You must also have the necessary skills, qualifications, and work experience to perform the job. Furthermore, you must have occupational registration if it’s required.
In addition to these requirements, suitable New Zealanders must not be available to do the offered job.
However, a waiver of this requirement does apply in some cases.
Learn more about the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
3. Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
The Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa allows visa holders to live and work in New Zealand.
To apply for a Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, you must have a New Zealand partner with whom you’re in a civil union or de facto relationship. Your partner must be a citizen or permanent resident, and you must prove that your relationship is stable and committed.
If your application is successful, you can apply for New Zealand residence based on your relationship status, but you must do it before your visa expires.
Learn more about the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa.
4. Partner of a New Zealand Work Visa Holder
Do you want to join your partner who holds a work visa in New Zealand? Then the Partner of a New Zealand Work Visa Holder Visa is for you. This visa allows you to also live and work in New Zealand.
To be eligible to apply, your partnership must be a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship.
Furthermore, you must demonstrate to Immigration New Zealand that your partnership is genuine. Immigration New Zealand will consider the following when evaluating your relationship:
- How long you’ve been together, and how long you’ve been living together as a couple
- Whether you support each other financially and how you share financial responsibilities
- Property that you may own or share
- If you have any children together
- Whether other people recognise your relationship or not
Learn more about the Partner of a New Zealand Work Visa Holder Visa.
5. Specific Purpose Work visa
You’ll apply for a Specific Purpose Work visa when you need to go to New Zealand for a short-term work assignment or business trip that would attract any benefit – a salary, housing, food, or any other form of benefit or remuneration.
Examples of such assignments and trips include, but are not limited to, short-term assignments for your employer, working on a film set, installing, or servicing specialised equipment, judging a show or exhibition, or going to New Zealand to referee sports matches.
When submitting your visa application, you must prove that you:
- Genuinely need the work visa for the time requested
- Have enough funds to support yourself for the period of the work visa
- Intend to leave New Zealand at the end of the work visa’s validity
Learn more about the Specific Purpose Work visa.
Now let’s speak about assessments
As we said right at the start, you can discover your best work visa option for New Zealand with an immigration assessment.
Such an assessment will consider all the necessary information about your profile to determine which New Zealand work visa you can apply for.
Online assessments are available, but it is best to get a licensed immigration advisor to assess your immigration eligibility. Online assessments often don’t ask the probing questions necessary to determine if you qualify to apply for a New Zealand work visa.
You can find licensed advisors on the New Zealand Immigration Adviser Authority (IAA) website.
You can rest assured that advisors who appear here are licensed and held accountable for the advice dispensed.
Intergate Emigration’s licensed advisors
Our advisors are registered and licensed to give immigration advice for New Zealand:
- Natanya Mostert: IAA License No. 202300649
- Katrin Maja O’Flynn: IAA License No. 201400975
- Maike Versfeld: IAA License No. 201600505
Natanya Mostert is our licensed advisor for New Zealand. You can book a consultation call with her on our website.
Let’s recap New Zealand work visas
New Zealand offers five work visas that allows you to work in the country. Some of these visas offer residence or a pathway to residence.
Each New Zealand work visa has unique requirements, and you’ll know if you meet any of these criteria by completing an immigration assessment.
To ensure you get the correct advice, only deal with licensed advisers. It could prevent you from spending your savings on a visa application for which you don’t actually qualify.
- Published in Working in New Zealand
Immigration News: June 2023
In June 2023, Immigration New Zealand launched an accredited employer checker and announced four Skilled Migrant Visa changes. These Skilled Migrant Visa changes come into effect on 9 October 2023.
Please find the details below.
1. INZ launched an accredited employer checker tool
Migrants applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, Straight to Residence Visa or Partner of a Worker Work Visa must work for an accredited employer.
In June, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) made it easier for migrants to find accredited employers. INZ added a searchable tool to their website that enables migrants to check if an employer is accredited.
To use the tool, migrants need information to identify the employer, which may be the employer’s:
- New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), or
- Company name or trading name
The tool is updated with accredited employers once a week. INZ has said that some employers opt out of getting added to the search tool’s list, so migrants are advised to ask employers who don’t appear on the list if they’re accredited.
2. Change is coming to the Skilled Migrant Visa in October
On 21 June 2023, New Zealand’s Minister of Immigration announced four upcoming changes to the Skilled Migrant Visa. These changes come into effect on 9 October 2023.
Simplified points system:
Under the current system, migrants must score 100 points or more to submit an Expression of Interest and 180 points or more to receive an invitation to apply for a Skilled Migrant Visa.
Under the new system, migrants must get at least 6 points to apply for a Skilled Migrant Visa. The points system will award points for:
- New Zealand occupational registration, or
- an eligible qualification, or
- income from a job or job offer,
- and skilled work in New Zealand.
Migrants can only claim points for one of the first three categories, but they can combine those points with points for skilled work.
Skilled job or job offer requirements:
Under the current system, Skilled Migrant Visa applicants must have skilled employment or a job offer for skilled employment. This employment or job offer can be from any New Zealand employer.
From October, the skilled job or job offer must be from an accredited New Zealand employer.
No limit on the number of migrants who can get New Zealand residence
There won’t be a limit on the number of people who can obtain New Zealand residency under the Skilled Migrant Visa category from October 2023. All migrants who meet the visa’s requirements and whose visa applications are accepted will obtain New Zealand residence.
A new Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa
Migrants who hold a visa when applying for the new Skilled Migrant Visa will get a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa when their visa expires.
The Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa will enable visa holders to stay in New Zealand while their Skilled Migrant Visa application is processed. Migrants with Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visas can travel in and out of New Zealand.
Migrants can also apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa instead to remain on a valid work visa in New Zealand.
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- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
Immigration News: April 2023
During April 2023, Immigration New Zealand added over 50 occupations to the Green List and finalised the Work the Residence pathway details for the transport sector.
There was also good news for New Zealanders living in Australia. The Australian government announced a direct pathway to citizenship for eligible New Zealanders living Down Under!
1. The Green List now includes 59 new skilled occupations
New Zealand announced in April that it’s adding 32 healthcare occupations to the Green List and 27 professions to the Work to Residence pathway. Eligible health professionals can apply for Accredited Employer Work visas from 29 May 2023.
32 Healthcare roles:
New Zealand said that the 32 roles it’s adding to the Green List are ‘critical to the delivery of health services in New Zealand’. These are as follows:
- Addiction Practitioner/Alcohol & Drug Clinician
- Audiometrist
- Chiropractor
- Clinical Dental Technician
- Clinical Physiologists (Sleep, Renal, Exercise, Respiratory, Neurology, and Cardiac)
- Counsellor
- Dental Specialists
- Dental Technician
- Dental Therapist
- Dentist
- Dietician
- Dispensing Optician
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Enrolled Nurse
- Genetic Counsellor
- Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician
- Medical Resonance Imaging Technologist
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Optometrist
- Oral Health Therapist
- Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
- Orthotist/Prosthetist
- Osteopath
- Paramedic/Emergency Medical Technician
- Perfusionist (Cardiac)
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist
- Play Therapist (Hospital)
- Social Worker
- Speech-Language Therapist
- Sterile Processing Technician
These roles and all other healthcare occupations on the Green List will qualify for the Straight to Residence pathway. That means eligible professionals don’t have work in New Zealand for two years before applying for residence.
27 Work to Residence occupations:
New Zealand is adding over 20 roles across different sectors to the Green List’s Work to Residence pathway to help address labour shortages.
These roles are as follows:
- Auditor:
- External Auditor
- Internal Auditor
- Civil Construction Supervisors
- Building Associate
- Drainlayers
- Gasfitters
- Skilled crane operators
- Crane, Hoist or Lifter Operator
- Skilled civil machine operators
- Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
- Backhoe Operator
- Bulldozer Operator
- Excavator Operator
- Grader Operator
- Loader Operator
- Halal slaughterers
- Slaughterer
- Skilled motor mechanics
- Motor mechanic – General
- Motorcycle mechanic
- Skilled telecommunications technicians
- Telecommunications Technician
- Teachers
- School Principal
- Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Teacher
- Pouako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Senior Teacher
- Primary School Teacher
- Middle School Teacher / Intermediate School Teacher
- Secondary School Teachers
- Special Needs Teacher
- Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
- Teacher of the Sight Impaired
- Special Education Teachers nec
- Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages – if working in a primary, intermediate or secondary school
2. Transport sector agreement details for Work to Residence confirmed
In December 2022, the Minister of Immigration and Transport announced a transport sector agreement with a Work to Residence pathway for truck and bus drivers. It was later announced that this agreement would include critical maritime transport roles.
Immigration New Zealand has now confirmed that residence applications under the transport sector agreement will open on 29 September 2023 to eligible candidates.
The occupations included under the agreement are the following:
- Bus drivers working for an eligible employer in an eligible role
- Truck drivers primarily driving vehicles that require a class 4 or 5 licence
- Ship’s masters (skippers) holding a Skipper Restricted Limits for 500GT endorsement or higher qualification by the time of applying for residence
- Deck hands holding a Qualified Deck Crew or higher qualification by the time of applying for residence
Bus drivers get a median wage exemption
Employers will have a median wage exemption set at NZ$28 an hour when hiring bus drivers for an eligible role on an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
To be eligible for the exemption, the role must either:
- Be for an employer who has signed the All Parties Memorandum of Understanding on Improving Bus Driver Pay and Conditions, or
- Be a school bus driver on a Ministry of Education-funded school bus service
Bus drivers hire under this agreement will be eligible for Accredited Employer Work Visas for three years, despite being paid below the median wage.
3. Direct pathway to Australian citizenship for New Zealanders
On 22 April 2023, Australia announced a new direct pathway to Australian citizenship for eligible New Zealand citizens. The pathway comes into effect on 1 July 2023, and applies to Special Category Visas (Subclass 444) who’ve arrived in Australia since 2001.
This immigration policy change will make it much easier for New Zealanders to obtain Australian citizenship:
- It won’t be necessary for eligible New Zealanders to become permanent residents before applying for citizenship. Instead, all that’s required is four years of having lived in Australia and being able to meet the standard citizenship criteria.
- Eligible New Zealanders also won’t have to meet minimum income requirements or health criteria.
- New Zealand children born in Australia will become citizens at birth instead of only getting citizenship at 10 years old.
The policy change also brings the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia more in line with those of Australians living in New Zealand. New Zealanders will have access to services and benefits associated with citizenship, such as student loans and unemployment benefits.
Stay up to date with the latest news from New Zealand
Join our newsletter to be the first to know about immigration and visa changes. You only need to submit your email address, and we promise we’ll never share your details!
- Published in Latest posts, News, Working in New Zealand
New Zealand adding more health roles to the Green List
Immigration New Zealand has announced that the Government is adding 32 new health sector roles to the Green List.
Additionally, all health roles on the Green List will move to the Straight to Residence pathway of the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Eligible health professionals can apply for work visas from 29 May 2023.
The roles are across the healthcare system
The occupations New Zealand are adding to the Green List are across the healthcare system.
Immigration New Zealand has also indicated these roles are critical to the delivery of health services in New Zealand.
These are the roles:
- Addiction Practitioner/Alcohol & Drug Clinician
- Audiometrist
- Chiropractor
- Clinical Dental Technician
- Clinical Physiologists (Sleep, Renal, Exercise, Respiratory, Neurology, and Cardiac)
- Counsellor
- Dental Specialists
- Dental Technician
- Dental Therapist
- Dentist
- Dietician
- Dispensing Optician
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Enrolled Nurse
- Genetic Counsellor
- Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician
- Medical Resonance Imaging Technologist
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Optometrist
- Oral Health Therapist
- Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
- Orthotist/Prosthetist
- Osteopath
- Paramedic/Emergency Medical Technician
- Perfusionist (Cardiac)
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist
- Play Therapist (Hospital)
- Social Worker
- Speech-Language Therapist
- Sterile Processing Technician
Roles on the Work to Residence pathway moving to the Straight to Residence pathway
Eight existing healthcare roles on the Green List are moving to the Straight to Residence pathway:
- Anaesthetic Technician
- Audiologist
- Medical Imaging Technologist
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medical Radiation Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Podiatrist
- Sonographer
This move means that professionals working in these eight occupations don’t need two years of relevant work experience in New Zealand before being able to apply for residence.
They must, however, still meet these requirements:
- Working for an accredited employer or having a job offer from one
- Meeting the criteria set out on the Green List for their occupation
- Having a full-time job (at least 30 hours a week), genuine and permanent or at least a 12-month fixed-term contract. Independent contractors are also eligible under certain circumstances.
Existing roles on the Straight to Residence pathway
The Green List’s Straight to Residence pathway already includes eight occupations. These roles are as follows:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Medical Practitioners
- Midwife
- Orthoptist
- Physicist (Medical)
- Psychologist
- Registered Nurses
Applications for the new health roles open at the end of May
Immigration New Zealand announced that applications for the 32 new occupations on the Green List open on 29 May 2023.
You don’t have to wait until then to get the ball rolling, though. You can start today by determining if you meet all the requirements to apply for a work visa. Simply book your consultation call with our licensed advisor on our website.
The sooner you start, the quicker you can submit your application once applications open.
- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
113 Jobs in demand in New Zealand (March 2023)
Do you dream of working in New Zealand? It could be within your reach if you work in an occupation on the Green List. This list includes over 100 jobs that are in demand in New Zealand!
What is the Green List?
The Green List includes over 100 jobs in demand in New Zealand, and it offers a fast-track to residence or work to residence pathway:
- Tier 1 occupations: You’re eligible for Straight to Residence if you work in a Tier 1 occupation and have a job offer from an accredited employer.
- Tier 2 occupations: Skilled migrants in Tier 2 occupations qualify for Work to Residence after working in New Zealand for two years. Immigration New Zealand is opening applications for this pathway to residence in September 2023.
Your work visa – the Accredited Employer Work Visa
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is the visa you’d apply for if you have an occupation on the Green List. This work visa lets you live and work in New Zealand for up to three years for an accredited employer.
The requirements:
To apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, you must:
- Have an offer of full-time work from an accredited employer
- Earn at least the New Zealand median wage unless the job is exempt
- Have the necessary skills, qualifications and work experience to perform the job offered
- Have occupational registration, if required
- Meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements
The jobs in demand
As mentioned, the Green List includes over 100 jobs in demand in New Zealand – 113, to be exact!
The occupations range from engineers and veterinarians to nurses and plumbers. You’ll find the complete list in the following order below:
- Engineers
- Scientists
- Farmers
- Doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals
- Nurses
- Mental health professionals
- Veterinarians
- Teachers
- Construction workers
- ICT, electronics, and telecommunications professionals
- Tradesmen
The breakdown also includes the Tier of the occupations, one or two, and average salaries.
1. Engineers
New Zealand has a nationwide demand for engineers due to increased investment in infrastructure. The New Zealand government wants to grow the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also wants to modernise existing assets and prepare for climate change.
Salary:
On average, engineers earn NZD97,749 per year. Entry-level salaries start at NZD76,556 per annum, while experienced engineers earn up to NZD130,000 yearly.
Tier 1 – Straight to Residence:
Engineers are Tier 1, which means skilled migrants in these occupations are eligible for Straight to Residence.
Occupations:
Acoustic Engineer; Calibration Engineer; Chemical Engineer; Civil Engineer; Civil Engineering Technician; Corrosion Engineer; Electrical Engineer; Electrical Engineering Technician; Electronic Engineering Technician; Electronics Engineer; Engineering Professionals nec; Environmental Engineer; Fire Safety Engineer; Geotechnical Engineer; Industrial Engineer; Materials Engineer; Mechanical Engineer; Mechatronics Engineer; Product Design Engineer; Production or Plant Engineer; Safety Engineer; Structural Engineer; Telecommunications Engineer; Telecommunications Network Engineer; Test and Activation Engineer (Naval Shipbuilding)
2. Scientists:
New Zealand’s research institutions are renowned the world over, and cover many fields, including agricultural biotechnology, genomics, and biopharmaceuticals.
The focus when recruiting from overseas is on scientists in primary industries, such as agriculture and forestries, as New Zealand’s economy relies on these industries.
Salary:
Scientists in New Zealand earn an average annual salary of NZD 97,046. Entry-level scientists earn NZD80,000 per year, and scientists in senior positions make up to NZD125,000 yearly.
Tier 1 – Straight to Residence:
The scientists on the Green List are all Tier 1, which means skilled migrants in these occupations are eligible for Straight to Residence.
Occupations:
Environmental Research Scientist; Food Technologist; Other Spatial Scientist
3. Farmers
Agriculture is a huge contributor to New Zealand’s economy. Together with fisheries and related sectors, it generates over 80% of the country’s merchandise exports.
The biggest export earner is dairy, which is worth about NZD19 billion a year to New Zealand. Meat products are also a big export earner, with beef and lamb exports alone totalling more than NZD5 billion annually.
Salary:
Entry-level dairy farmers earn between NZD63,000 and NZD71,00 per year. Experienced dairy farm managers, on the other hand, could earn an annual salary of between NZD71,000 and NZD120,000.
Tier 2 – Work to Residence:
The agricultural occupations on the Green List are Tier 2, meaning migrants in these occupations are eligible for Work to Residence after two years of working in New Zealand.
Occupations:
Dairy Cattle Farmer (Dairy Cattle Farm Manager), including Dairy Farm Manager, Assistant Dairy Farm Manager and Dairy Herd Manager
4. Doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals
There is a high demand for healthcare workers across New Zealand. This demand is driven by several factors, including a growing population, increasing health needs, and rising health expectations.
The ageing healthcare workforce is also creating a need for healthcare professionals. Many GPs are retiring.
It’s not only GPs that are needed, though. New Zealand needs healthcare professionals in multiple disciplines and specialities, from cardiology and dermatology to paediatrics and neurology.
Salary:
On average, doctors in New Zealand earn NZD201,074 per year. Entry-level salaries start at NZD117,789 per year, while experienced doctors could earn up to NZD300,000 annually.
Surgeons earn similarly to doctors, with an annual average salary of NZD204,465.
However, starting salaries for surgeons are a bit higher, while salaries on the higher end are lower than for doctors. Surgeons starting out earn NZD140,908 annually, while senior surgeons take home up to NZD212,833 per year.
Tier 1 and Tier 2
Doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals on the Green List include Tier 1 and 2 occupations. The occupations are broken down accordingly.
Tier 1 occupations:
Anaesthetist; Cardiologist; Cardiothoracic Surgeon; Clinical Haematologist; Dermatologist; Endocrinologist; Gastroenterologist; General Practitioner; Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist; Emergency Medicine Specialist; Intensive Care Specialist; Medical Laboratory Scientist; Medical Oncologist; Medical Practitioners nec:; Midwife; Neurologist; Neurosurgeon; Obstetrician and Gynaecologist; Ophthalmologist; Orthopaedic Surgeon; Otorhinolaryngologist; Paediatric Surgeon; Paediatrician; Pathologist; Physicist (medical); Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon; Radiation Oncologist; Renal Medicine Specialist; Resident Medical Officer; Rheumatologist; Specialist Physician (General Medicine); Specialist Physician nec; Surgeon (General); Thoracic Medicine Specialist; Urologist; Vascular Surgeon
Tier 2 occupations:
Anaesthetic Technician; Audiologist; Medical diagnostic (Medical Imaging Technologist); Medical Laboratory Technician; Medical Radiation Therapist; Occupational Therapist; Podiatrist; Sonographer
5. Nurses
It’s not only GPs that are retiring. It’s estimated that up to one in five nurses will consider retiring in the next five years. At the same time, New Zealanders enrolling in nurse training have been declining.
These factors have created a high demand for nurses, with plenty of opportunities country-wide in the public and private sectors.
Salary:
Nurses earn NZD73,739 on average per year. Nurses in entry-level positions take home NZD63,648 per year, while experienced nurses earn an average annual salary of up to NZD95,000.
Tier 1 – Straight to Residence:
Nurses are Tier 1 occupations, which means skilled migrants in these jobs are eligible to apply for Straight to Residence.
Occupations:
Registered Nurse (Aged Care); Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health); Registered Nurse (Community Health); Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency); Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability); Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation); Registered Nurse (Medical Practice); Registered Nurse (Medical); Registered Nurse (Mental Health); Registered Nurse (Paediatrics); Registered Nurse (Perioperative); Registered Nurse (Surgical); Registered Nurses nec
6. Mental health professionals
Mental health professionals, especially psychiatrists, are sought-after in New Zealand. There is a growing demand for psychiatrists throughout the country, with opportunities in public hospitals, community mental health centres, private hospitals, and medical schools.
Salary:
Psychiatrists earn an average annual salary of NZD192,000. Entry-level positions start at NZD161,304 per year, while more experienced psychiatrists earn up to NZD229,023 per year.
In comparison, psychologists earn much less. These mental health professionals earn an average of NZD90,968 per year. Starting salaries are NZD78,982 per year, with more experienced psychologists making up to NZD106,837 per year.
Tier 1 – Straight to Residence:
Mental health professionals on the Green List are Tier 1, which means skilled migrants in these jobs are eligible to apply for Straight to Residence.
Occupations:
Clinical Psychologist; Educational Psychologist; Organisational Psychologist; Psychiatrist; Psychologists nec; Psychotherapist
7. Veterinarians
Veterinarians have always been in short supply in New Zealand.
During COVID-19, the shortage worsened due to the country’s strict border controls. Most people from overseas, including skilled migrants, couldn’t enter New Zealand for more than two years.
Today, veterinarians can enter New Zealand again to supply their much-needed skills.
Salary:
Veterinarians earn an average of NZD110,550 per year. Entry-level salaries are NZD100,176 per year. Senior veterinarians earn up to NZD126,444 per year.
Tier 1 – Straight to Residence:
Veterinarians is a Tier 1 Occupation, meaning it’s eligible for Straight to Residence.
Occupations:
Veterinarian
8. Teachers
Educators working in New Zealand find themselves in a world-class education system. It’s a sector that’s well-supported and admired internationally.
Teachers work in state, state-integrated, or private schools, and children are taught through practical and theoretical learning.
Salary:
Teachers earn an average annual salary of NZD57,500. Entry-level salaries start at NZD46,800, while senior teachers earn up to NZD78,554 per year.
Tier 2:
The teaching occupations on the Green List are Tier 2, meaning migrants in these occupations are eligible for Work to Residence after two years of working in New Zealand.
Occupations:
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher – registered; Secondary School Teacher
9. Construction workers
Construction is New Zealand’s fifth-largest economic sector, employing just over a quarter of a million people.
That number is set to grow, as the New Zealand government estimates that around 4,800 new jobs will be created in construction each year until 2028.
Most of the new jobs will be in residential builds in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, along with the Waikato region and Bay of Plenty.
Salary:
The highest earners on the Green List are Construction Project Managers. These professionals take home an average of NZD133,416 per year.
In second place are Surveyors and Quantity Surveyors, with average annual salaries of NZD100,00. Project Builders come in third. These workers earn NZD90,000 per year.
Annual starting and senior salaries in the construction industry are as follows:
- Construction Project Manager: NZD133,416 / Up to NZD179,500
- Quantity Surveyor: NZD70,383 / Up to NZD140,750
- Surveyor: NZD70,000 / Up to NZD140,000
- Project Builders: NZD67,763 / Up to NZD110,000
Tier 1 – Straight to Residence:
Skilled migrants working in construction are in Tier 1 occupations, meaning they’re eligible for Straight to Residence.
Occupations:
Construction Project Manager; Project Builder (including Building Project Manager and Site Foreman); Quantity Surveyor; Surveyor
10. ICT, electronics, and telecommunications professionals
New Zealand’s tech sector is world-renowned! It has earned its brilliant reputation through being flexible, resilient, adaptable, and entrepreneurial.
The tech sector is also one of New Zealand’s biggest economic contributors. In 2021, it exported NZD8.6 billion globally!
Salary:
Tech workers earn some of the highest salaries in New Zealand. ICT Managers, for example, earn an average of NZD130,000 per year.
As another example, software engineers earn an average salary of NZD 107,250 per year.
When starting their careers, ICT Managers make NZD115,605 per year, while Software Engineers earn NZD84,553 annually. Senior ICT Managers take home up to NZD156,316 per year, while that number is NZD140,000 per year for senior software engineers.
Tier 1 – Straight to Residence
ICT, electronics, and telecommunication occupations are rated Tier 1, meaning skilled migrants in these roles are eligible for Straight to Residence.
Occupations:
Analyst Programmer; Chief Information Officer; Developer Programmer; ICT Manager nec; ICT Project Manager; ICT Security Specialist; Multimedia Specialist; Software and Applications Programmer nec; Software Engineer; Software Tester
11. Tradesmen
There’s a high demand for skilled tradesmen in New Zealand. Many key industries depend on electricians, plumbers, and mechanics.
The construction boom in the country has also created a need for qualified and experienced tradesmen, specifically electricians and plumbers. Electricians and plumbers work in new developments, renovations and repairs.
Salary:
In this group, diesel motor mechanics are the highest earners at an average annual salary of NZD72,150. Electricians, on average, earn NZD71,663 per year, and plumbers earn an average salary of NZD61,425 per year.
The annual starting and senior salaries are as follows:
- Diesel motor mechanics: NZD62,400 / up to NZD87,750
- Electricians: NZD65,325 / up to NZD95,125
- Plumbers: NZD54,732 / up to NZD76,650
Tier 2 – Work to Residence:
The trade occupations on the Green List are Tier 2, meaning migrants in these occupations are eligible for Work to Residence after two years of working in New Zealand.
Occupations:
Automotive Electrician; Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector); Electrician (General); Plumber (General)
Is your occupation one of the jobs in demand in New Zealand?
Warning – determining your eligibility to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa is not as simple as matching your occupation to one on the Green List!
You must also meet all the other requirements, such as having a job offer from an accredited employer and earning enough if it applies to your occupation.
How do you find out if you do? Ask a licensed advisor to assess your eligibility against all relevant criteria. It’s a critical step in your immigration journey!
10 Top New Zealand recruitment agencies
You could look for a job in New Zealand on your own – or you could choose one of the New Zealand recruitment agencies on our list to help you instead.
Recruiters are often the first to know about job openings and already have the contacts you’ll need to land a job.
You’ll find recruiters working across various industries below, plus tips on choosing a recruiter that’s right for you.
10 of New Zealand’s top recruiters
1. Adecco
Adecco has branches in 14 cities across New Zealand. Their recruiters can assist with jobs for various industries, including engineering, construction, and healthcare and medical. You can create an online profile or contact the team to get started, and you can set up alerts for new jobs on Adecco’s website.
2. Advanced Personnel
Advanced Personnel is a recruitment agency that places people across various industries, including engineering and manufacturing, infrastructure and construction, IT, food processing and logistics, and hospitality. The group has offices in Christchurch, Auckland North Shore and Manukau, Hamilton, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, and Invercargill.
https://advancedpersonnel.co.nz
3. Drake New Zealand
Drake New Zealand can connect you with jobs in several industries, from healthcare and IT to engineering and education. These recruiters have 10 offices across New Zealand. You can also sign up for job alerts on the website and access career advice.
4. Enterprise Recruitment
Enterprise has been going strong for 50 years and has five office locations across New Zealand. Their team covers various industries, including construction, engineering, and trades and services. Enterprise also works alongside The Talen Hive, a Christchurch-based recruitment company specialising in engineering and IT recruitment. You can browse jobs by industry and occupation or region on their website.
5. HQ Recruiting
HQ Recruiting has two offices, one in Auckland and one in Wellington. The company has over 20 years of experience and works with candidates in early childhood education and IT sectors.
6. Superior Personnel
Superior Personnel connects job seekers with opportunities in Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury, and the Bay of Plenty. The team specialises in commercial and industrial recruitment, including manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, and trades. You’ll find vacancies on their website and a blog with career advice.
7. Tradestaff
Tradestaff has been in business for 25 years and has 11 branches across New Zealand. Their areas of specialisation are the trades and industrial sectors, including construction, plumbing, manufacturing and processing.
8. Accent Health Recruitment
ACCENT Health Recruitment specialises in recruiting medical and healthcare professionals from overseas for jobs in New Zealand. They recruit doctors, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals. You can read case studies on their website to hear from previous clients and find out how ACCENT helps job seekers.
9. Recruit IT
As the name suggests, Recruit IT assists digital and technology professionals with finding jobs in New Zealand. Established in 2006, Recruit I.T. has offices in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. You can browse jobs on Recruit IT’s website, where you’ll also find a handy salary guide.
10. New Kiwis
New Kiwis is not a job agency but a free employment service to migrant job seekers and Zealand employers. Applicants can upload their CVs and search the job section, while employers use the site to search for candidates and post vacancies. You can thank the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Immigration New Zealand (MBIE) for this initiative.
Here’s how having a recruiter in New Zealand can benefit your job hunt from overseas:
Let’s start with what a recruiter does – recruiters match job seekers with suitable positions available at their clients, i.e., employers.
A recruiter worth their salt will guide and support you throughout the hiring process. In an ideal world, the right recruiter for you will become a consistent source for new opportunities.
This is how having that kind of support can help you when job hunting from abroad:
Saves you time
Planning a move to another country sometimes seems like a neverending to-do list! Working with a recruiter means taking some of those tasks off your plate. You can leave job searching, dealing with employers, and setting and following up on interviews with your recruiter.
Insights into New Zealand’s way of working
A New Zealand recruiter can advise you on how things are done in New Zealand. For example, what’s important to New Zealand employers, how interviews typically work, and how your CV should look.
This type of advice will help you excel in your job search!
Strong cheerleader on your side
Employers often hesitate to hire candidates from overseas, but a recruiter passionate about placing you can make a strong case for why you’re worth the ‘risk’. You can further strengthen your case by ensuring you qualify for a work visa.
Insider knowledge
Recruiters often find out about job openings or get access to exclusive roles early. Recruiters will also know about shifts in the industry. For example, employers could start expecting candidates to have experience in new software. You won’t know this when job hunting from across the globe.
How do you choose a recruiter?
Here are tips for choosing a recruiter that’s right for you:
- Choose a recruiter who specialises in your industry: Recruiters who focus on one area will better understand roles, job requirements, and hiring trends. Even better? That’s a recruiter that’s worked in your industry themselves.
- Listen to what they say when you first talk: Great recruiters will give you specific advice based on the information you shared. They’ll also ask specific questions to better understand your needs and where you’re coming from.
- Learn more about the recruiter’s process: Ask how the recruiter finds jobs, approaches employers, and markets your CV.
- Ask for references and check them: Talk to clients about their experience with the recruiter and ask if they’d use the person again.
It’s also important to consider how the recruiter comes across. Does it feel like they will care about your career? Is their dealings with you professional, and do you think you’ll get along with them?
If the answer to each question is a resounding ‘yes’, give the recruiter the green light to start finding you the perfect job.
Please note: Intergate Emigration is not affiliated or associated with any of these recruiters, and cannot guarantee service levels.
- Published in Latest posts, Tips for Your Move to New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
Partner Work Visa changes coming in April 2023
In December 2022, Immigration New Zealand was set to implement partner work visa changes.
However, on 5 December 2022, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced that New Zealand had deferred the changes to April 2023.
This amended implementation date is now fast approaching.
What changes is Immigration New Zealand implementing?
Currently, the partners of migrants with Accredited Employer Work Visas can apply for a visa based on their relationship to the visa holder. Successful applicants have open work rights in New Zealand. That means the visa holders is able to work in New Zealand for any employer.
However, once the changes to the partner work visas come into effect:
- partners will only be eligible for Visitor Visas, and
- must qualify independently for an AEWV to be able to work in New Zealand.
Why this big shift?
The main reason for the change to the partner work visas is that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) wants to focus on bringing critical skills into the country.
“A key feature of the rebalance is a focus on building the skills that New Zealand needs, as opposed to the old system, which had a focus on large volumes of low wage labour in some sectors. This is a shift, but it will be better for the New Zealand economy, and it will reduce the unacceptable levels of migrant exploitation that the old settings facilitated”, Minister Woods explained in his press release.
Minister Woods added, “The number of partners of temporary migrant workers coming to New Zealand grew significantly in the years prior to COVID-19, as did temporary migrant worker numbers. While partners of temporary migrant workers work in a variety of roles across New Zealand, they tend to be concentrated in lower-paying sectors.”
In conclusion, Minister Woods said, “Given the aim of the rebalance, it is important that we ensure the integrity of the system by recruiting for genuine skill shortages for both the primary applicants and their partners.”
What should you do?
Migrant couples where one partner wishes to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa must do so as soon as possible.
Once the changes come into effect, INZ will apply the legislation changes to any new visa applications it receives.
Get started today!
If you have a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer, book a consultation call with us today.
Our team will work with you to compile your visa application and submit it as quickly as possible.
You’ll be in good hands!
Our advisors, Katrin Maja O’Flynn and Maike Versfeld, are registered and licensed with New Zealand’s Immigration Adviser Authority (IAA).
Don’t just take our word for it. Read what our clients have had to say about working with us on Google.
- Published in Family Immigration, Latest posts, News, Working in New Zealand
Emigration to New Zealand: 9 Tips for setting yourself up for success
Do you have your heart set on emigration to New Zealand? Ready to set yourself up for success?
The nine tips we have for you today are just what you need. We’ll cover all areas, from visas and finding a job to healthcare and taking your pets with you.
Let’s get straight to it.
1. Start early
Trust us when we say that it’s not easy to immigrate. There are many moving parts, and not all of them are under your control.
The key to managing your immigration well is starting long before you intend on moving. The earlier you start, the easier it’ll be to deal with issues or surprises that may arise.
Give yourself at least six months to a year if you can. Draw up a list of priorities and then get stuck in.
2. Explore your visa options
The first item on your list of priorities should be exploring your visa options. The last thing you want to do is spend money on an application for a visa you don’t qualify for!
You have two options for finding out your visa options:
- Doing the research on your own
- Consulting with a licensed advisor
You’ll incur costs when going the second route, but it is the safest option for your immigration. A reputable licensed advisor will assess you against New Zealand’s immigration requirements to determine your best visa options.
You could make a mistake when doing it on your own, which could also mean that you pay for a visa application that has no chance of success.
3. Get the right advice
Should you choose to trust your immigration to an advisor, you must make sure you’re speaking to a professional you can trust.
Check for a license from the New Zealand Immigration Adviser Authority, as that’s a stamp of approval from New Zealand itself. It’s the best sign to look for!
IAA licensed advisors are authorised to give immigration advice and are held accountable for the advice they give.
4. Check your passport
You must have a valid passport to apply for a visa, so make sure your passport is still valid. The same goes for every family member involved in the migration application.
Ideally, your passports should be valid for at least another four years. If the remaining validity period is three years or less, renewing your passport is advisable.
Remember to also apply for passports for children who may still need to get passports.
5. Get your documents in order
Ensure that you have important documents, such as birth and marriage certificates. Many people underestimate how long it can take to get such documents from the relevant authorities.
Want to apply for a work visa? Then you must also have your CV and qualifications in order.
When you work with a licensed advisory, they’ll tell you precisely what documents you need and whether they should be original, colour copies, or certified.
6. Find a job
You’ll need a job to immigrate to New Zealand using a work visa.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa requires that you have a job to apply, and it’s near impossible for most migrants to get an invitation to apply for a Skilled Migrant Visa without a job offer.
You can find a job by:
- Standing out from the crowd with a New Zealand-friendly CV and a cover letter that includes mention of the fact that you qualify for a work visa
- Contacting recruiters in New Zealand for assistance with your job hunt
- Networking with connections in your industry
- Signing up for job alerts on career websites
- Identifying companies you’d like to work for and applying for suitable jobs
You can find more advice for your job search on our blog:
- Working in New Zealand: Is it easy to get a job? (Plus, 7 other questions)
- How to get a job in New Zealand: 10 Top tips (plus a LinkedIn profile checklist)
- Ace your New Zealand job interview
7. Improve your English
New Zealand expects immigrants to speak a reasonable level of English. You might have to complete an English test to prove your abilities, so if English is not your first language, work with a tutor or English Language teacher to improve.
8. Do plenty of research
It’s common knowledge that New Zealand is a beautiful and safe country, but you’ll have to know more as someone who intends to move there.
Here’s what you’ll have to research:
- The cost of living: You’ll have to be able to provide for your family on the salary you’ll earn. Everyday costs include groceries, clothing, transport, rent or bond repayments, utilities, schooling and childcare. You can use Numbeo as a starting point and consider joining Facebook groups for advice or reading blogs by expats.
- Cities, towns, and neighbourhoods: Read up on New Zealand’s cities and towns, and decide which areas suit your lifestyle best. Once you have a list of suitable cities or towns, you can zone in on neighbourhoods to choose where to buy or rent a home.
- Banking: You want to set up a bank account shortly after arriving in New Zealand or even before you go. Find out how to do this as soon as possible to access funds when setting up debit orders or applying for credit.
- Healthcare: New Zealand has free public healthcare and private healthcare. However, you might not qualify for free healthcare, which makes it necessary to investigate private healthcare providers.
- Schools and universities: The deciding factor on where to live for parents could be their choice of school. You must research New Zealand’s schools if that’s true for you. The same goes for students who wish to take up tertiary studies in New Zealand.
- Importing your belongings and pets: New Zealand has strict import requirements, making it important to know what you can take and can’t. Import requirements also apply to pets. Some dog breeds, for example, are not allowed in New Zealand.
9. Save for your move
Immigrating is expensive! It’s not only visa costs. There is also the cost of flights, insurance, international movers, a deposit on a new home, buying new furniture… The list goes on and on!
It’s good to have money saved up to cover these costs (and those unforeseen expenses). A good rule of thumb is three to six months of savings. Your research will guide you as to exactly how much you’ll need.
Here’s a tip – whatever the final number, add 10% to 20% on top of that as an emergency buffer.
To recap
To set yourself up for success when moving to New Zealand, you must ensure that you:
- Start early – The earlier, the better!
- Explore your visa options – You can’t immigrate without qualifying for a visa
- Get the right advice – from a licensed immigration advisor
- Check your passport – Renew it if it expires within the next three years
- Get your documents in order – such as birth and marriage certificates, and your CV
- Find a job – You’ll need one if you want to apply for a work visa
- Improve your English – New Zealand has strict language requirements
- Do plenty of research – Understand the cost of living, decide where you’ll stay, see if you qualify for free public healthcare, and know how to open a bank account and what you can take with you
- Save for your move – Three to six months of savings, plus up to 20% as an emergency buffer
You’ll significantly minimise the chances of your immigration failing if you follow these tips!
Green List and Employer Accreditation changes announced
On 12 December 2022, New Zealand announced changes to the Green List and Employer Accreditation.
The Green List is getting more occupations under the Straight to Residence pathway and more professions in general. Eligible accredited employers are getting an extension on their accreditation.
Expansion of the Green List
From 15 December 2022, New Zealand is moving registered nurses, midwives, and all medical doctors from the Work to Residence to the Straight to Residence Green List pathway.
Under Work to Residence, professionals need 24 months of work experience in New Zealand, while it’s not necessary under Straight to Residence.
In March 2023, more changes are coming:
- New Zealand will add auditors to the Straight to Residence Green List pathway.
- New Zealand will add the following professions to the Work to Residence Green List pathway:
- Civil construction supervisors
- Gasfitters
- Drainlayers
- Skilled crane operators
- Skilled civil machine operators
- Halal slaughterers
- Skilled motor mechanics
- Skilled telecommunications technicians
- All secondary school teachers (in addition to the specialisations already on the Green List)
- Primary school teachers
What are the Green List pathways?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has three residence pathways:
- Work to Residence
- Straight to Residence
- Highly Paid Residence
Visa applicants must have an occupation on the Green List to qualify for either of the first two pathways.
Accredited Employer Work Visa employer accreditation extension
Employers with accreditation who made their first application by 4 July 2023 will get an automatic extension of their accreditation by 12 months.
This extension will be a once-off, but Immigration New Zealand hopes it provides employers with certainty that they’ll continue to have access to skilled labour with the additional cost and administrative burden of reapplying for accreditation.
Stay up to date with the latest changes by New Zealand
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- Published in Latest posts, News, Working in New Zealand
The Parent Resident Visa is open again!
As of 12 October 2022, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is accepting new Expressions of Interest for the Parent Resident Visa.
New Zealanders and their parents have welcomed this news, especially since INZ has reduced the sponsor requirements and increased the number of visas.
When do applications open?
Migrants who want to apply for a Parent Resident Visa must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
INZ started accepting EOIs on Wednesday, 12 October. Any EOIs that INZ receives from this date go into a ballot, from where INZ will make a random selection. The first selection happens in August 2023 and every three months after that.
Migrants whose EOIs get selected and get invitations to apply can submit applications for the Parent Resident Visa.
What about Expressions of Interest submitted before the Parent Resident Visa closed?
The Parent Resident Visa temporarily closed in 2019, with plans to reopen it in 2020. Unfortunately, COVID hit, which meant it didn’t happen.
At the time of the closure, many migrants already had EOIs in the system for the Parent Resident Visa.
Immigration New Zealand is keeping those EOIs and will select EOIs from the pool in the date order they were received. These selections will start on 14 November 2022 and happen every three months after that.
At this time, INZ can’t tell how long it’ll take them to select all existing EOIs. However, INZ has said they’ll publish accurate timeframes as soon as possible.
Migrants who no longer want to apply for a Parent Resident Visa can withdraw their EOI. Migrants will also get the opportunity to update their EOI if necessary.
What are the changes for sponsors?
Immigration New Zealand has lowered the income requirements for sponsors, i.e., the adult children of applicants.
INZ also allows two adult children, rather than just an adult child and their partner, to combine their income to sponsor parents.
Furthermore, a sponsor only needs to earn 1.5 times the New Zealand median wage instead of twice the median wage. This limit increased by half the median wage for each joint sponsor or additional parent.
These reduced requirements apply to EOIs already in the queue and EOIs submitted from 12 October 2022.
How many visas are available?
Immigration New Zealand has increased the number of Parent Resident Visas available each year from 1,000 to 2,500.
There’s no hurry to submit an EOI right away!
Immigration New Zealand has advised that migrants wait until closer to August 2023 to submit their Expressions of Interest. EOIs stay in the queue for two years, so submitting an EOI closer to August will mean it’s in the queue longer if it’s not selected the first time.
In the meantime, follow us to stay on top of immigration news
You can keep up to date with immigration news out of New Zealand by following us on Facebook or LinkedIn. We also share informative and educational articles about immigrating to New Zealand.
- Published in Family Immigration, Latest posts, News