Introduction
The Residence to Work category is a temporary visa scheme which allows visa holders to apply for legal permanent residence in New Zealand after a period of 2 years. Applicants who have been working in New Zealand with a temporary Work to Residence visa for at least 2 years can apply for a Residence from Work visa; a permanent resident visa which grants the holder legal permanent residence in New Zealand.
Basic Requirements
To qualify for a Residence from Work visa you must:
Apply from within New Zealand (in the case of the permanent Residence from Work category)
Be in good health
Be of good character (no criminal record)
Visa Sub-categories
There are four different categories of Residence to Work visas:
The Long Term Skill Shortage Category
The Talent (Accredited Employers) Category
The Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Category and
Religious Worker Residence Category
Holders of visas from different categories must fulfil slightly different requirements to qualify for a permanent Residence from Work visa. Details for each visa category can be found below.
The Long Term Skill Shortage Category
To qualify for a work to residence visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage category you must:
Be 52 or younger
Have a full time job offer for a position lasting at least 2 years in an occupation on the Long Term Skill Shortage List
Hold the the appropriate skills and/or qualifications for your occupation
Meet all the occupational requirements for your position, such as registration, if applicable
Qualifying for permanent residence
If you have a Work to Residence (Long Term Skill Shortage) visa, to qualify for a Residence from Work permanent resident visa, you must:
Be 55 or younger
Have worked in New Zealand in an occupation on the Long Term Skill Shortage List for two years or more
Currently be working in a full time, permanent position in either:
The occupation for which your visa was originally granted, OR;
Another occupation that is currently on the Long Term Skill Shortage List
Be earning over NZ$45,000 per year
Meet all the occupational requirements for your position, such as registration, if applicable
The Talent (Accredited Employers) Category
To qualify for a work to residence visa under the Talent (Accredited Employers) category you must:
Be 55 or younger
Have a job offer:
With an accredited employer
For a full time position lasting at least 2 years
With an annual salary of at least NZ$45,000
Meet all the occupational requirements for your position, such as registration, if applicable
Qualifying for permanent residence
If you have a Work to Residence (Talent - Accredited Employers) category visa, to qualify for a Residence from Work permanent resident visa, you must
Be 55 or younger
Have worked in New Zealand for an accredited employer for two years or more
Currently be working in a full time, permanent position for either:
The employer for which you were first granted a visa, OR;
Another credited employer
Be earning over NZ$45,000 per year
Meet all the occupational requirements for your position, such as registration, if applicable
The Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Category
To qualify for a work to residence visa under the Talent (Art. Culture, Sports) category you must:
Be 55 or younger
Have an exceptional talent in Arts, Culture, or Sports, meaning:
You are internationally recognised for your talent
You are currently prominent and active in your field
Your presence in New Zealand will enhance the country's activities in your field
Be supported in your application by a New Zealand organisation of 'national repute' in your field
Be sponsored in your application by either an individual or your supporting organisation
Qualifying for permanent residence
If you have a Work to Residence Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) category visa, to qualify for a Residence from Work permanent resident visa, you must:
Have been actively engaged in your field for two years or more in New Zealand
Continue to be prominent in your field
Show that your presence in New Zealand will continue to enhance the country's activities in your field
Retain the sponsorship of a New Zealand organisation of 'national repute’
Not have applied for any welfare benefits while in New Zealand
The Religious Worker Residence Category
To qualify for a work to residence visa under the Religious Worker Residence Category you must:
Be 55 or younger
Have at least 2 years of work experience or training as a religious worker
Have a job offer from a religious organisation that is registered as a charity
Qualifying for permanent residence
If you have a Religious Worker Residence Category visa, to qualify for a Residence from Work permanent resident visa you must:
Be 55 or younger
Have worked in New Zealand for the religious organisation that sponsored your original visa application for at least three years
Be carrying out genuine, ongoing religious work in New Zealand
Be sponsored for the first five years of your permanent residence in New Zealand by a religious organisation that is registered as a charity
Not have applied for any welfare benefits while in New Zealand
Further Information, help, and advice
Workpermit.com has over twenty years of experience helping people immigrate to countries all over the World. Whether you wish to visit, work, or study in New Zealand our specialist team of immigration experts can help you with one to one advice, information, and representation when applying for your New Zealand visa or work permit.
For more information and advice on New Zealand immigration law and visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com
