Green List Pathways Comparison: Straight to Residence vs. Work to Residence

Not all Green List roles lead to residence in the same way. Some let you apply straight away. Others require time working in New Zealand first.

Knowing the difference can help you plan your next step with more confidence. 

This guide breaks down the two Green List pathways and which one may apply to your situation.

The Straight to Residence pathway is for people working in Tier 1 Green List roles. These are roles that are in high demand and considered critical to New Zealand’s workforce.

If your job is on the Tier 1 Green List and you meet all the requirements, you can apply for residence straight away. You do not need to complete a minimum period of work in New Zealand before applying.

When you apply, Immigration New Zealand checks your job, salary, and employer. 

They also confirm that your role matches the Green List requirements and that your employer is accredited.

Key features of the Straight to Residence pathway (Tier 1)

• You can apply for residence as soon as you meet the requirements

• You must have a full-time job or job offer in a Tier 1 Green List role

• Your job must meet the required pay rate and any qualification or registration requirements

• Your employer must be accredited

• You can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely if approved

• You can include your partner and dependent children (aged 24 or younger)

How long does it take to get a Straight to Residence Visa?

Immigration New Zealand currently processes 50% of Straight to Residence Visa applications within around 8 weeks and 80% within 3.5 months.

Processing can take longer if Immigration New Zealand needs more information or documents from you. Submitting a complete application can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Can you include your partner and children in a Straight to Residence Visa application?

Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in your Straight to Residence Visa application.

You will need to provide evidence of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificates. Your family members must also meet the applicable identity, health, character and English language requirements.

Partners and dependent children aged 16 or older must meet the English language requirements or pay for English language lessons in New Zealand.

The same option is available when applying for a Work to Residence Visa.

Good to know: If your partner or dependent children already hold or are applying for a temporary visa based on their relationship to you, Immigration New Zealand requires you to include them in your residence application.

Is the Straight to Residence Visa a permanent visa?

The Straight to Residence Visa is a Resident Visa, not a Permanent Resident Visa. However, it allows you to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.

Your initial resident visa has travel conditions. These generally allow you to travel in and out of New Zealand for two years.

After holding your Resident Visa for at least two years, you may be able to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa if you meet the requirements. A Permanent Resident Visa allows you to travel in and out of New Zealand indefinitely.

The same applies to the Work to Residence Visa. Once granted, it also allows you to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.

What documents do you need for a Straight to Residence Visa?

When applying for a Straight to Residence Visa, you will generally need:

• A copy of your passport and an acceptable visa photo.

• Medical examination and chest X-ray evidence, where required.

• Police certificates.

• Evidence that you meet the English language requirements.

• Evidence of your Tier 1 Green List job or job offer with an accredited employer.

• Evidence that you meet the qualification, registration, pay or other requirements for your Green List role.

• An International Qualification Assessment (IQA), if required for an overseas qualification.

• Certified English translations of documents that are not in English.

If you include your partner or dependent children, you may also need their identity documents, photos, relationship evidence, medical information, police certificates and English language evidence where applicable.

Immigration New Zealand may ask for additional documents after you apply.

The Work to Residence pathway is for people working in Tier 2 Green List roles. 

To qualify, you must complete 24 months of full-time work in New Zealand in an eligible Tier 2 role. This work must meet the required pay rate and job conditions during that period.

When you apply, Immigration New Zealand reviews your employment history. 

They check your job duties, salary, and employer details across the full 24 months to confirm you meet the requirements.

Key features of the Work to Residence pathway (Tier 2)

• You need at least 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand before you can apply

• Your job must be full-time and with an accredited employer

• Your role must be on the Tier 2 Green List

• Your pay must meet the required rate throughout the qualifying period

• You must meet the job’s qualification or registration requirements

• You can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely if approved

• You can include your partner and dependent children (aged 24 or younger)

How long does it take to get a Work to Residence Visa?

Immigration New Zealand currently processes 50% of Work to Residence Visa applications within around 8 weeks and 80% within 3 months.

Remember that you must first complete 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand before you can apply through the Work to Residence pathway. This work must generally be completed within the 30 months immediately before you apply and meet the requirements for your Tier 2 Green List role.

Good to know: Processing times are updated regularly and are not guaranteed. Check the latest Immigration New Zealand processing times before applying.

What documents do you need for a Work to Residence Visa?

A Work to Residence Visa requires many of the same documents as Straight to Residence, but you also need to prove that you have completed the required 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand.

You will generally need:

• A copy of your passport and an acceptable visa photo.

• Medical examination and chest X-ray evidence, where required.

• Police certificates.

• Evidence that you meet the English language requirements.

• Evidence of your current Tier 2 Green List job or job offer with an accredited employer.

• Evidence that you meet the requirements for your Green List role.

• Evidence of your 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand.

• Evidence showing how much you were paid during your qualifying work period.

• An International Qualification Assessment (IQA), if required.

• Certified English translations of documents that are not in English.

Evidence of your 24 months of work can include your employment agreement, payslips, job description and an Inland Revenue (IRD) summary of earnings. Your evidence should show what work you did, when and where you worked, your hours and how much you were paid.

If you include your partner or dependent children, you will also need to provide the applicable identity, relationship, health, character and English language documents.

The Straight to Residence and Work to Residence pathways are both part of New Zealand’s Skilled Residence options under the Green List. 

But they function very differently in terms of eligibility, timing, and evidence requirements. 

Here’s a closer look at each of their differences, if you need more information. 

1. Who can apply

2. Work experience requirement

3. Salary requirement

Tier 1 (Straight to Residence): 

• You only need to meet the required pay rate at the time you apply.

• INZ checks your current salary using your job offer and employment agreement.

• You do not need to show long-term salary history for Tier 1.

Tier 2 (Work to Residence): 

• You must meet the required pay rate for the full 24 months.

• Your salary must stay at or above the threshold the entire time.

• INZ checks payslips, IRD records, and employer documents to confirm this.

• Consistent pay is used to confirm that your job is genuinely skilled.

4. Processing time after application

• Processing times can vary depending on how complex your application is.

• INZ may take longer if they need to check your job details or salary evidence.

• Employer checks can also affect how quickly your application is processed.

5. Application timing

6. INZ verification focus

Quick insight:

• Tier 1 focuses on your current job and salary.

• Tier 2 looks at your full work history over 24 months, which is why it requires more detailed checks.

The right pathway depends on your job, your qualifications, and where you are in your journey.

Both pathways lead to residence. The main difference is how soon you can apply.

You may be eligible for Straight to Residence (Tier 1) if:

• Your job is on the Tier 1 Green List.

• You meet the qualification or registration requirements now.

• Your salary meets the required pay rate.

• You have a full-time job or a job offer from an accredited employer.

This pathway is more direct. You do not need to wait or build work experience in New Zealand.

You may be eligible for Work to Residence (Tier 1) if:

• Your job is on the Tier 2 Green List.

• You are working, or planning to work, in New Zealand.

• You can complete 24 months of full-time work in your role.

• Your salary can meet the required pay rate during that time.

Understanding which Green List pathway applies to you is key to planning your move.

Your job, salary, and qualifications will decide whether you can apply now or need to build work experience first.

Once you know your pathway, you can focus on the right steps.

This may include checking your job requirements, preparing your documents, or meeting English language requirements early.

Our migration experts can help you assess your situation, confirm your pathway, and guide you on how to build a strong application based on your goals.

What is the main difference between Straight to Residence and Work to Residence?

Straight to Residence (Tier 1) lets you apply for residence as soon as you meet the requirements. Work to Residence (Tier 2) requires you to complete 24 months of full-time work in New Zealand before you can apply.

Which pathway is faster?

Straight to Residence is faster overall because you can apply immediately. While processing times are similar, Work to Residence takes longer due to the 24-month work requirement before you can apply.

Do salary rules differ between the two pathways?

Yes. Tier 1 requires you to meet the pay threshold at the time you apply, while Tier 2 requires you to meet it continuously for 24 months.

Do both pathways require an accredited employer?

Yes. You must have a job or job offer from an accredited employer for both pathways.

Do both pathways require full-time work?

Yes. Jobs must be full-time, usually at least 30 hours per week, and Tier 2 also requires 24 months of full-time work in New Zealand.

Which pathway is better if I qualify for Tier 1?

Straight to Residence is usually the better option because you can apply sooner and do not need to complete the 24-month work requirement.

Which pathway applies if my job is not in Tier 1?

You will need to follow the Work to Residence pathway and complete the required 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand.

Can Work to Residence be affected if my salary drops?

Yes. If your salary falls below the required level, that period may not count towards your 24 months.

Does INZ check applications differently for Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Yes. Tier 1 focuses on your current job and salary, while Tier 2 involves a more detailed review of your work and pay history over 24 months.

If I qualify for both, should I still consider Tier 2?

No. If you meet Tier 1 requirements, you can apply straight away under the Straight to Residence pathway.