Accredited Employer Work Visa
The main work route. The employer must be accredited, the job must pass a market test unless the occupation is on a green list, and pay must meet the applicable threshold.
Who it is for. People with a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
Researched, not independently verifiedmedium confidenceReviewed 20 September 2026
Worth knowing. Pay thresholds are tied to the New Zealand median wage and are adjusted periodically; some roles on the Green List have separate arrangements including straight-to-residence.
Fact
- Income required
- Not stated
- Savings required
- Not stated
- Investment required
- None
- Application fee
- NZ$750
- Processing time
- 20–120 days
- Permission lasts
- 60 months
- Permanent residence
- After 2 years
- Citizenship
- After 5 years
Renewable
Remote work not coveredLocal employment allowedFamily can joinPolice certificateMedical exam
Apply through the authority, not through us: www.immigration.govt.nz (opens in a new tab)
Sources
Researched, not independently verifiedmedium confidenceReviewed 20 September 2026
Worth knowing. Pay thresholds are tied to the New Zealand median wage and are adjusted periodically; some roles on the Green List have separate arrangements including straight-to-residence.
Check this against
- Immigration New Zealand — visa options and requirements (opens in a new tab)Immigration New Zealand · National immigration authority