New Zealand•OceaniaSTR — Straight to Residence Visa
At a Glance
3 months
NZD $6,450
2 years
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Residence on arrival for skilled workers with a Tier 1 Green List job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer; PR after 2 years.
The Straight to Residence Visa, run by Immigration New Zealand, grants residence to skilled workers holding or offered a Tier 1 Green List job with an accredited employer. Introduced in September 2022, it consolidates earlier work-to-residence routes and removes the two-year wait that previously delayed essential workers.
Applicants must be aged 55 or younger, meet Green List requirements for the role (registration, qualification or pay rate), and earn at least the role's set rate or NZD 35/hour. Combined fee and levy total NZD 6,450; 80% of cases decide within 5 months. Holders live, work and study indefinitely with partner and children aged 24 or younger, and qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa after two years.
This visa is ideal for mid-career professionals in Tier 1 Green List occupations — healthcare, engineering, ICT or construction — with a confirmed accredited-employer offer who want permanent residence on arrival.
Cost Breakdown
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Aged 55 or under at the time of application
Hold a job offer for, or currently work in, a Tier 1 Green List occupation
Employment must be full-time (minimum 30 hours per week)
Employer must be an accredited employer
Meet specific role requirements (e.g., qualifications, professional registration)
Meet English language proficiency requirements
Meet standard health and character requirements
KEY CRITERIA
Education
bachelor or higher
Experience
1+ years
Min. Income
136,739 NZD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport or certificate of identity
One acceptable passport-sized photo
Birth certificate
Medical and chest X-ray certificates (issued within the last 3 months)
Police certificates from country of citizenship and any country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years
Proof of job offer or current employment in a Tier 1 Green List occupation
Evidence of English language proficiency
Evidence of relationship for partners and dependent children (if included)
Certified English translations for all non-English documents
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Residence granted on approval — no temporary-visa step required
- Qualifying for a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 continuous years on the visa
- Right to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely
- Partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger included in the same application
- Partner receives full work rights as a residence-class visa holder
- Decision in 5 months for 80% of applications — fast by global PR standards
Worth Knowing
- Requires a job offer or current employment with an accredited NZ employer
- Role must be on the Green List Tier 1 and meet specified pay, registration or qualification thresholds
- Pay must meet the role-specific rate or NZD 35/hour median wage (2025)
- Combined application fee and immigration levy of NZD 6,450 is non-refundable
- English, health and character standards apply to the principal and dependents
- Applicants over 55 at time of application are non-qualifying
- No Tier 1 Green List job offer from an accredited employer means no qualification
Application Process
Secure job offer
In Tier 1 Green List occupation
Verify qualifications
Meet specified requirements for role
Confirm wage threshold
Meet required wage for occupation
Complete application
Straight to Residence application form
Provide documentation
Qualifications, employment contract, wage evidence
Health examination
Medical assessment if required
Police certificate
Good character certificate
Pay fee
NZD 6,450 (NZD 2,880 application fee + NZD 3,570 immigration levy)
Await decision
Usually 2-8 weeks
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