New Zealand · Permanent Residence

New Zealand residence, mapped to the points or the Green List role you hold.

Skilled Migrant, Green List, employer-led, and investor routes to a New Zealand resident visa, filed by one team with Licensed Immigration Adviser support where the work requires it. We check whether your role is on the Green List, score your 6 points honestly, and pick the route that actually settles you.

Book a chance for a free consultationBook a free assessment

In association with

Compare the routes

Four routes to a New Zealand resident visa. We pick the one your role qualifies for.

Most skilled residence runs through the 6-point Skilled Migrant Category or the Green List. Tier 1 Green List roles go straight to residence; Tier 2 and other eligible roles arrive through an accredited employer. Investors come in through the reformed Active Investor Plus visa. We map your role to the right route before we file.

RoutePathway typeBest forKey requirement
Skilled Migrant Category (6 points)
Points
6 points
Best forSkilled workers with a job offer who can claim 6 points from income, qualification, registration, or NZ experienceKey requirementA skilled job offer, 6 resident points, age under 55, and the English, health, and character standard
Green List Tier 1
Green List
straight to PR
Best forPeople in Tier 1 in-demand roles, including many health, engineering, and trades occupationsKey requirementA Tier 1 Green List role with the registration or experience it requires, for a straight-to-residence path
Green List Tier 2 / AEWV
Work to PR
qualifying period
Best forTier 2 Green List and other skilled roles filled through an accredited employerKey requirementAn Accredited Employer work visa, then residence after the qualifying work period
Active Investor Plus
Investor
Growth or Balanced
Best forInvestors placing growth or balanced capital into New ZealandKey requirementNZ$5M Growth over 3 years, or NZ$10M Balanced over 5 years

For informatory and consultation purposes only — visa rules, fees, and intake windows change; verify with the relevant official source and book a personal consultation before acting.

Check my route
Residence programs

The New Zealand residence routes we file most.

Every route below leads to a resident visa. Each leans on a skilled job offer or qualifying capital, and each deserves a read of the current Green List and points rules before it is filed.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

The main points-based residence route. Claim up to 6 points from income at or above the median, a recognised qualification, or occupational registration, plus up to 3 points for New Zealand skilled work experience, with a skilled job offer, age under 55, and English.

Explore pathway→

Green List Residence

The fast track for in-demand occupations. Tier 1 roles can apply straight to residence; Tier 2 roles move on a work-to-residence track after a qualifying period. The list is updated through the year, so the tier your role sits in sets the timeline.

Explore pathway→

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The employer-sponsored work visa most skilled workers start on, and the on-ramp to work-to-residence and the Skilled Migrant Category. The 2025 reform removed the median-wage threshold, reshaping how the work-to-residence routes qualify.

Explore pathway→

Active Investor Plus Visa

The investor route, reformed in April 2025 into two categories: Growth, at NZ$5 million over 3 years for active investments, and Balanced, at NZ$10 million over 5 years for a broader range including passive holdings.

Explore pathway→
How we match you to a route

Four filing lanes. The right one depends on your role and your capital.

Score 6 on the SMC
Score 6 on the SMC

A skilled job offer plus 6 points from income, qualification, registration, or NZ experience. We score your points honestly and check the role qualifies before you commit.

Tier 1 or Tier 2 fast track
Tier 1 or Tier 2 fast track

If your role is on the Green List, the route shortens. We confirm your tier, your registration, and the experience the role requires, then file the right residence track.

AEWV into residence
AEWV into residence

Most skilled workers start on the Accredited Employer Work Visa. We secure the employer accreditation and the job fit, then carry you into work-to-residence or the SMC.

Growth or Balanced capital
Growth or Balanced capital

After the April 2025 reform, the Active Investor Plus visa runs on Growth (NZ$5M) or Balanced (NZ$10M). We match your capital and risk profile to the category that fits.

How a New Zealand residence file gets built

Four stages, sequenced to confirm your role before you spend a dollar.

Job offer & registration

A genuine skilled job offer from an accredited employer, with the occupational registration your role requires confirmed before anything is filed.

Points or Green List

Your 6 SMC points claimed and verified, or your role confirmed on the Green List in the tier that sets the faster track.

Work-to-residence or direct

Filed straight to residence for a Tier 1 role, or sequenced through the qualifying work period for Tier 2, AEWV-led, or points-based routes.

Resident visa

The resident visa granted, then, after the stand-down period, the Permanent Resident Visa that removes travel conditions.

Will you qualify?

A quick, honest read on your route before you spend a dollar.

A few questions and an honest check of your Green List tier or your 6 points. Free, no commitment.

Check my route
  • ✓A skilled job or job offer from a New Zealand accredited employer
  • ✓Under 55, with the English, health, and character requirements met
  • ✓6 SMC points claimable, or a role on the Green List in a qualifying tier
  • ✓The occupational registration your role requires, where it applies
Thousands of success stories. Are you the next?

See Our Testimonials

Hear firsthand from clients about how our expert guidance helped them gain clarity, build
confidence, and achieve their immigration and education goals.

4.8 Rating
Google
Based on 160 reviews.
Gagandeep K.Study Visa

“Excellent experience with my study permit application. Every step was explained clearly, documents were handled accurately, and my permit was approved smoothly within 1 month.”

Aastha T.PR

“Amazing detail orientation and risk-taking capabilities which was really required in my case. I was able to get my bridging open work permit and PR confirmation thanks to their guidance.”

Gurpreet S.Work Visa

“I recently received my Open Work Permit under the temporary public policy. They don't make any delays and are always ready to answer queries via phone or email. One can trust them without any worries.”

Moheer K.Visit Visa

“So happy I opted for Chase to process my family's visit visa. Both Priya and Sana are helpful and available to cater to any query. The process is easy — very responsive on WhatsApp and email too.”

Kishan K.Study Visa

“Great experience with my PGWP application. Applied on August 26 and approved on January 29. Communication throughout was very smooth. Professional guidance and excellent administrative support.”

Augusta E.Work Visa

“Very happy I chose Chase Global for my open work permit. They are very professional. Their positive attitude and effective communication made the process seamless.”

Lovepreet R.PR

“Excellent experience filing my PR application. The transparency provided made it seamless and effortless. Very fast in submitting an application and reciprocating. Highly recommend.”

Prabhjot S.Work Visa

“Outstanding experience with my vulnerable open work permit application. Their expertise ensured my application was handled efficiently — I received my permit in just 15 days.”

Nikita K.PR

“We got our Canada PR approved within a year. They guided us in each and every step of our filing. Can't thank them enough for making our dream come true.”

Amaka O.Work Visa

“My work permit was just approved within 1 month. Chase Global Immigration is my best immigration consultant — you guys are very good at what you do.”

Maulik P.Visit Visa

“Very supportive and encouraging every step of the way. It only took us less than 2 weeks to get my parents' visitor visa approved! They relieved us from all the stress of tedious processing.”

Taranpreet K.Visit Visa

“My dad had 2 rejections before. Thanks to Chase Immigration — with their amazing work and proper guidance, my father's super visa was approved within one month. So happy with the result!”

Honest answers

The questions that decide your New Zealand residence strategy.

  • You claim up to 6 points from your income (at or above the median, with the full 6 at around three times the median), a recognised qualification, or occupational registration, and up to 3 more points for New Zealand skilled work experience, to reach the 6-point minimum. A skilled job offer, age under 55, and English are also required. The government is consulting on a simplified points system expected around 2026, but nothing is final, so we file under the rules in force.

  • The Green List is the list of in-demand occupations with a faster residence path. Tier 1 roles can apply straight to residence; Tier 2 roles move on a work-to-residence track after a qualifying period. The list is updated through the year, so we check whether your role is on it and in which tier before advising on a timeline.

  • Most skilled workers begin on the Accredited Employer Work Visa with an accredited employer. From there, Tier 2 Green List and other eligible roles move to residence after the qualifying work period, and the Skilled Migrant Category stays open as the points-based route. The 2025 reforms removed the median-wage threshold, which changed how these work-to-residence routes qualify.

  • Yes. The April 2025 reform replaced the old single weighted model with two categories: Growth, at NZ$5 million over 3 years for active investments, and Balanced, at NZ$10 million over 5 years for a broader range including passive holdings. We match your capital and risk profile to the category that fits.

  • The Skilled Migrant Category requires you to be 55 or younger. Other residence routes have their own criteria, so we check the route that fits your age and profile rather than assuming one path.

  • Yes. The 2025 reforms removed the median-wage threshold from the Accredited Employer Work Visa and reshaped the work-to-residence routes, and the Active Investor Plus visa was rebuilt into Growth and Balanced categories in April 2025. The skilled points system is under review, with a simplified version expected around 2026. We check the current rules before any filing.

For informatory and consultation purposes only — visa rules, fees, and intake windows change; verify with the relevant official source and book a personal consultation before acting.

Green List and SMC routes run through the year. The next window could carry your role.

Book a free assessment. We will check your Green List tier or score your 6 points, and tell you whether to file now or build the case first.

Book a chance for a free consultationCheck your eligibility

Stay informed

Articles & Insights

Explore All Articles
Canada's Express Entry Overhaul: What the New High-Skilled Stream Means for You
Immigration

Canada's Express Entry Overhaul: What the New High-Skilled Stream Means for You

Ottawa is retiring the FSW, CEC, and FST programs in favour of a single Federal High-Skilled Class that prioritises earnings and job offers over Canadian experience.

Study, work, or invest abroad — which fits your goals? Talk to our expert advisors today.Unsure? Talk to our expert advisors.

Book a consultation