NZ Pathway
Guides
Work to Residence vs Straight to Residence Compared
Updated: 2026-08-03 · Data verified: 2026-08-03
Both visas are Green List pathways, both lead to the same outcome — a resident visa — and both require a job with an accredited employer plus occupation-specific requirements. The difference is a single question: does New Zealand make you prove yourself for 24 months first?
The core comparison
| Straight to Residence | Work to Residence | |
|---|---|---|
| Green List tier | Tier 1 (161 occupations) | Tier 2 (37 occupations) |
| NZ work required first | None | 24 months in the role |
| Where you can apply from | Anywhere — overseas or in NZ | After qualifying NZ work |
| Wage rule at application | Role’s specified rate, or median wage ($35.00/h) if none | Role’s specified rate; wage requirements also applied throughout the 24 months |
| Typical occupations | Doctors, nurses, engineers, ICT, teachers | Trades, machinery operators, corrections officers |
| Median processing time* | 37 working days | 42 working days |
*INZ data, last 4 weeks as of August 2026.
Straight to Residence: the immediate path
If your occupation is Tier 1, the sequence is short: job offer from an accredited employer → meet the role’s Green List requirement (registration, qualification or pay rate) → apply. No NZ experience needed. Many Tier 1 applicants lodge from overseas and arrive as residents.
Watch one detail: for teaching roles, INZ has signalled Straight to Residence is aimed at experienced teachers paid at the median wage, not new graduates — who should look at post-study work routes instead.
Work to Residence: the 24-month path
Tier 2 is a contract with a clock:
- Get an AEWV (or other acceptable work visa) for the Tier 2 role
- Work 24 months in New Zealand in that role, meeting the wage requirement the whole time — for many trades that is 1.15×, 1.3× or 1.5× the median wage, not the base rate
- Apply for residence while still in the role (or holding an offer)
The 24 months do not need to be with one employer or one visa — but every month must be in the qualifying role at the qualifying wage. Time in a different occupation, or below the wage line, does not count.
24 August 2026: INZ changes how wage rates are calculated for work-to-residence visas. If your qualifying period straddles that date, confirm how the new rules treat your wage evidence before you lodge.
The decision logic
Your occupation’s tier is fixed, so this is usually not a choice — it is a lookup. The real strategic question is when you have options across systems:
- Tier 1 job? Straight to Residence is almost always your fastest route.
- Tier 2 job + strong SMC profile (e.g. a Master’s degree or 2× income)? Compare: 24 months to Work to Residence versus potentially faster SMC 6-point eligibility.
- Job not on the Green List at all? Neither pathway applies — the SMC is your system.
Check your occupation’s exact tier and requirements in the Green List Checker, then model your SMC position in the points calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know which pathway my occupation is on?
- Look up your occupation on the Green List: Tier 1 means Straight to Residence, Tier 2 means Work to Residence. The tier is fixed per occupation — you cannot choose.
- Can I switch from Work to Residence to Straight to Residence?
- Only if your occupation itself is on Tier 1, or INZ moves it there. Your personal experience does not move a Tier 2 occupation to Tier 1 — but 24 months in a Tier 2 role is exactly what qualifies you for Work to Residence.
- Does time on a student visa count toward the 24 months?
- No. The 24 months must be worked in the Tier 2 role on an acceptable work visa — an AEWV or other work visa (plus limited exceptions like an interim visa while waiting for a work visa decision).
- Which is faster overall?
- Straight to Residence, by far: you can apply immediately and the median processing time is 37 working days. Work to Residence requires 24 months of NZ work first, then ~42 working days of processing.