Typical timeline
4 months
Indicative end-to-end processing; varies by case.
- Typical timeline
- 4 months
Is this for you?
- Be aged 55 or younger when applying.
- Have an offer of, or be working in, a Tier 1 Green List in-demand job.
- The job must be with an accredited New Zealand employer.
- The job must pay at least the rate specified for the Tier 1 Green List job, or the current median wage if no specific pay rate is listed.
- The job must meet Immigration New Zealand's employment duration and contract requirements.
Job offer
RequirementRequired
A qualifying offer is needed for this route.
Program overview
Overview
Advising Indian families on Asia-Pacific migration since 2009, from our Koramangala office in Bangalore.
The Skilled Migrant Category was rewritten again on 24 August 2026
New Zealand moved to a six-point system in October 2023, and then materially rewrote how the points are earned with effect from 24 August 2026:
- New Zealand qualifications now score one point more than the overseas equivalent
- Level 8 and 9 points now require a bachelor's degree
- The Trades experience requirement was reduced
- The wage threshold is now tested as at the date your experience began, not the date you apply
- English-test validity extended to five years for registered occupations
The SMC wage threshold is NZ$35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026, so the points multiples work out at NZ$52.50, NZ$70.00 and NZ$105.00 an hour.
The Red and Amber lists now gate the skilled work experience pathway
This is new and it disqualifies people who would previously have been fine:
- Amber list occupations need 1.2× the wage threshold plus three years of New Zealand experience
- Red list occupations are not eligible for this pathway — including beauty therapists, hairdressers and retail managers
If your occupation is on either list, the arithmetic changes completely. Check both lists before you apply.
Green List additions
Ten trades occupations were added to the Work to Residence pathway on 18 August 2025 — welders, fitters, metal fabricators, panel beaters, vehicle painters and paving plant operators — at NZ$43.63 or NZ$38.59 an hour, each requiring 24 months of New Zealand experience.
Straight to Residence: fee and timing
Immigration New Zealand lists the Straight to Residence Visa fee from NZ$6,450 and reports 80% of applications decided within 3.5 months. You must be 55 or younger when you apply, and no prior New Zealand work is required.
New Zealand citizenship and your Indian passport
New Zealand does permit dual citizenship. India does not. So the constraint here is entirely on the Indian side.
New Zealand citizenship becomes possible after 1,350 days over five years, with at least 240 days in each of those years. Taking it would end your Indian citizenship automatically under Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955, regardless of New Zealand's own generosity on the point.
Residence and permanent residence carry no such consequence. Most Indian families stop at permanent residence for exactly that reason, and there is nothing wrong with doing so.
Talk to an immigration consultant in Bangalore
XIPHIAS Immigration has guided Indian families abroad since 2009, from our office in Koramangala, Bangalore. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Bangalore will take you through the current official requirements, costs and timeline for New Zealand.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand
- Immigration New Zealand — Active Investor Plus visa
- Immigration New Zealand — Skilled Migrant Category
- Immigration New Zealand — Green List
Verified against government sources on 30 September 2026.
Client testimonials
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Why work with us
A private-client approach to second citizenship: transparent costs, rigorous compliance, and execution without friction.
- Dedicated due-diligence desk and source-of-funds guidance.
- Government-approved project vetting and exit planning.
- End-to-end execution: strategy, documentation, submission, oath & passports.
- Confidential handling and white-glove concierge for families.
- Licensed local agents
- KYC/AML workflows
- Transparent fee schedule
Occupation lists
Eligible occupations(1/1)
- 1Green List Tier 1(1)Use Immigration New Zealand's live Green List to confirm the applicant's exact Tier 1 role and role-specific requirements.
Eligibility
- Be aged 55 or younger when applying.
- Have an offer of, or be working in, a Tier 1 Green List in-demand job.
- The job must be with an accredited New Zealand employer.
- The job must pay at least the rate specified for the Tier 1 Green List job, or the current median wage if no specific pay rate is listed.
- The job must meet Immigration New Zealand's employment duration and contract requirements.
- Meet the Green List role requirements, which may include qualification, registration, professional membership, wage, or experience requirements.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Speak and understand English.
Key benefits
- Live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
- Apply directly where the applicant has a qualifying Tier 1 Green List job or job offer.
- No 24-month New Zealand work experience requirement applies to the Tier 1 Straight to Residence pathway.
- Include a partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger, where eligible.
- Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after holding residence for 2 years in a row, where requirements are met.
Government fees
Total (NZD): NZ$6,450
- Application fee from
—
NZ$6,450
Application process
Process
How it works
Step 1: Confirm Tier 1 role
Search Immigration New Zealand's Green List and confirm that the occupation is listed as a Tier 1 role.
GuidedStep 2: Check role-specific requirements
Review the qualification, registration, professional membership, wage, and experience requirements listed for the Tier 1 occupation.
GuidedStep 3: Confirm accredited employer job
Verify that the job or job offer is with an accredited New Zealand employer and meets employment duration, pay, and role requirements.
GuidedStep 4: Prepare documents
Prepare identity, health, character, English, job, wage, and role-specific Green List evidence.
GuidedStep 5: Submit application
Apply online and pay the official visa fee.
GuidedStep 6: Wait for decision
Immigration New Zealand may request additional evidence before making a decision.
Guided
Checklist
Document checklist
21 total items
Documents vary by profile; we’ll tailor your list.
Identity2 items
Identity
2 items- Passport copy
- Acceptable visa photograph
Health and Character3 items
Health and Character
3 items- Chest X-ray evidence, where required
- Medical examination evidence, where required
- Police certificates
English2 items
English
2 items- Evidence of English language ability
- English evidence or English lesson evidence for family members aged 16 or older, where required
Tier 1 Green List Job5 items
Tier 1 Green List Job
5 items- Employment agreement
- Fixed-term contract, where applicable
- Job offer letter
- Evidence of hours, duration of employment, position, and pay
- Evidence that the employer is accredited
Green List Role Requirements6 items
Green List Role Requirements
6 items- Qualification certificate and transcripts
- International Qualification Assessment, if required
- Occupational registration evidence, where required
- Professional membership evidence, where required
- Experience evidence, where required for the role
- Pay evidence such as employment agreement, payslips, or salary evidence
Family3 items
Family
3 items- Relationship documents for partner and dependent children
- Identity documents and photos for included family members
- Health, police, and English evidence for family members, where required
Frequently asked questions
It is for applicants with a job or job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer in a Tier 1 Green List role.
No. Tier 1 allows eligible applicants to apply for residence through the Straight to Residence pathway without completing 24 months of New Zealand work.
Immigration New Zealand lists the fee from NZD $6,450.
Immigration New Zealand reports 80% of applications decided within 3.5 months.
Eligible partners and dependent children aged 24 or younger may be included, subject to Immigration New Zealand requirements.
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