Green List, skilled residence, and post-study work
New Zealand through skilled residence, employer visas, and study-to-work options
See the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List pathways, Accredited Employer Work Visa rules, and post-study work options in one country view.
Country
New Zealand
Status
Skilled work and residence coverage
Last reviewed
June 27, 2026
Summary
Skilled Migrant Category, Green List roles, AEWV, post-study work
Note
New Zealand is easier to follow when residence points, employer-backed work permission, and post-study job options are checked separately instead of being treated as one visa question.
Country
Status
Summary
Choose a starting point
Which guide should you open first?
Start with the guide that looks most relevant below, then switch only if another option matches your situation more clearly.
Recommended first guide
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
The SMC is the main points-style skilled residence option and should be checked against qualifications, skilled job or job offer, wage, and New Zealand experience rules.
For most visitors, this is the most useful first guide to open before comparing the other options.
What this guide covers
What this guide covers
A simple summary of options, eligibility, timing, and practical next actions.
Skilled worker
Check SMC first
Use the Skilled Migrant Category to see whether your situation points more clearly toward residence or toward a work visa first.
Work visa
Employer accreditation is central
For AEWV, employer accreditation is part of the visa rules and should be checked before making relocation plans.
Student route
Study works best with a clear job plan
A New Zealand study plan makes more sense when the qualification, city, field, and post-study work rights lead toward a credible skilled job outcome.
Eligibility points to verify
For SMC, check points, skilled employment, qualifications, wage thresholds, and New Zealand work experience before assuming residence is realistic.
For Green List, verify the exact occupation, registration, qualification, experience, and pay conditions for Straight to Residence or Work to Residence.
For AEWV, check whether the employer is accredited and whether the job, pay, and role conditions support the visa.
Likely timing
Direct work path
Employer-backed work can be faster to start than residence, but it should be mapped against later residence options before accepting a role.
Green List path
Some roles can move directly toward residence while others require a work period first, so the exact occupation tier changes the plan.
Study-first path
Plan post-study work rights before enrolment because the qualification level and field influence how long you may have to find skilled work.
Practical next steps
Step 1
Decide whether residence, employer-sponsored work, or study is your starting point before choosing between visa names.
Step 2
Check Green List occupation details and SMC points side by side so one appealing visa label does not distort the decision.
Step 3
For students, shortlist programmes by qualification level, work-rights value, and local hiring demand rather than campus preference alone.
Key updates to check
Key updates to check
These are the main points to review before you spend more time on this country.
New Zealand is a smaller hiring market than Canada or Australia, so job demand and regional employer access matter early.
Many applicants rely on a skilled job offer, an in-demand occupation, or a study-to-work option before moving toward residence.
Green List and SMC rules should be checked separately because a role can look strong but still qualify more clearly under one option than another.
Official sources to start with
Official sources to start with
The links below point to the most useful official government sources for checking the country rules directly.
Correction
See something that needs fixing?
If a date, score, visa summary, translation, or factual detail looks wrong or outdated, send the exact page link and, if possible, the official source that shows the change.