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New Zealand Straight to Residence Visa Eligibility 2026

By VISA AI Editorial TeamReviewed by VISA AI Immigration Research DeskUpdated May 16, 2026

The Straight to Residence Visa is a direct pathway to New Zealand residence for skilled workers. The criteria focus on high-earning roles or positions on the Green List. Use our free eligibility calculator to see if you meet the requirements for this visa.

Processing:Most applications are processed within a few months.Min score:75FreeOfficial source

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1. Do you have a job offer from a New Zealand accredited employer?

2. Does your job offer meet the salary or Green List requirements?

3. Can you meet the health and character requirements for New Zealand immigration?

4. Do you have relevant qualifications or work experience for your job offer?

Answer all questions to see your score

New Zealand Straight to Residence Visa Overview

New Zealand Straight to Residence Visa Eligibility 2026 is one of the most searched immigration pathways for people moving to New Zealand

This page gives you a fast, no-signup way to check where you stand before you spend money on application fees or agents. Our calculator mirrors the official rule set and then translates the answers into a clear, percentage-based eligibility score. You will see exactly which requirements you already meet, which ones need work, and what the realistic next step looks like.

If you want a deeper, AI-personalised plan covering documents, timeline, costs and alternative pathways, run the full assessment — it compares your profile against every visa we track for your destination and ranks the routes most likely to succeed for someone with your background.

Straight to Residence Visa Requirements & Criteria

Accredited Employer

You must have a job offer from an Immigration New Zealand accredited employer.

Skilled Job Offer

Your job offer must be for a role that is on the Green List or pays at least twice the median wage in New Zealand.

Age Requirement

There is no specific age limit for this visa, but you must be able to contribute to New Zealand.

Health & Character

You and any family members included in your application must meet Immigration New Zealand's health and character requirements.

English Language

You may need to demonstrate a certain level of English language proficiency.

Relevant Experience/Qualifications

You must have the qualifications or work experience relevant to your skilled job offer.

Verify with the official government source

Want to double-check requirements? Read the rules directly from . Our calculator is a guide — official policy can change at any time. Immigration New Zealand.

Straight to Residence Visa FAQs

At-a-glance summary

Headline numbers for this visa route. Always verify the live figure on the official source linked at the bottom of this page.
Item	Value
Typical processing time	Most applications are processed within a few months.
Minimum qualifying score	75 points
Last verified by editorial team	2026-05-16

Step-by-step application process

Self-assess eligibility. Use this calculator and review the official New Zealand Straight to Residence Visa Eligibility 2026 criteria before paying any fees. Confirm you meet every hard gate (age, language, health, character, qualifying offer or investment) — failing one gate cannot be offset by scoring well elsewhere.
Gather and translate documents. Collect passport, civil documents, qualifications, language test, police clearances from every country lived in 12+ months since age 17, and proof of funds. Obtain certified translations and apostilles/attestations where the destination authority requires them.
Submit the formal application. Lodge online through the official government portal listed on this page. Pay the correct government fee, complete biometrics at the designated centre, and upload supporting evidence in the exact format the authority specifies.
Respond to requests for evidence. Caseworkers commonly request additional payslips, employer letters, or medicals. Respond inside the deadline given — most refusals come from missed deadlines, not weak profiles.
Travel and activate status. On approval, collect your visa vignette or eVisa, enter the country before it expires, register your address where required, and collect any biometric residence permit/card. Keep digital and paper copies of every document.

Sources & references

Every figure on this page is sourced from official government or regulator publications. Cross-check before applying — rules change.

This calculator is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds, points, salary floors and occupation lists change frequently — always verify your route against the official government source linked on this page before applying. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser regulated in the destination country.