Green List Tier 2
Work to Residence Visa
The Green List Work to Residence Visa is for eligible people who have completed qualifying work in New Zealand in a Tier 2 occupation. It is a specific residence category, not a general promise that any work visa becomes residence after two years.
Enquire About Work to Residence
What counts as qualifying work?
The pathway generally requires 24 months of qualifying New Zealand work in a Green List Tier 2 role, together with qualifying current employment or an offer from an accredited employer. Age, English, health, character and occupation-specific conditions also apply.
Your pay, registration, qualifications and the immigration status under which you worked can affect the assessment. Immigration New Zealand's published 2026 changes also address how wage thresholds are applied. Do not use a single salary figure from an old article to assess every period of work.
Keep a record from the start
Build a timeline showing each employer, role, location, start and end date, hours and pay. Retain employment agreements, job descriptions, payslips, tax records and professional registration documents. Make changes in duties or working arrangements clear rather than relying on a current reference letter to explain the entire period.
When planning an enquiry, highlight gaps in employment, changes of occupation, periods overseas and changes to your visa. These are questions to examine against the official rules, not reasons to assume your time will or will not count.
Temporary work permission remains separate
Your existing work visa conditions continue to matter while you prepare for residence. Do not start work for a different employer or allow a temporary visa to expire on the assumption that a future residence application protects your status.
See the Accredited Employer Work Visa guide for the employer-linked temporary work framework. The Care Workforce Work to Residence category is separate from the Green List pathway described here.
Check the alternatives
A qualifying Tier 1 role may instead fall under Straight to Residence. Some workers may need to examine the Skilled Migrant Category. The occupation listing and evidence determine which framework is relevant; the most attractive-sounding label is not an eligibility test.
Frequently asked questions
Does every job count towards the 24 months?
No. The work must meet the requirements of the category, including the relevant occupation and other conditions for the period claimed.
Is this the same as a regional visa?
No. It is a New Zealand Green List residence pathway. Australian regional sponsorship rules and subclass numbers do not apply.
Can family members be included?
Eligible partners and dependent children may be included in a residence application, subject to their own requirements and the evidence supporting the family relationship.
General information checked 18 September 2026. Sources: INZ: Work to Residence Visa and 2026 skilled residence and wage-rule changes. Personalised eligibility and timing require an individual assessment.