What is a 'Work to Residence Visa'? Is it still applicable?

Okay, no problem! Let's talk about the "Work to Residence Visa." I'll break it down for you clearly and simply, like we're just chatting.

What was the "Work to Residence Visa" (WTR)? Is it still available?

Hey! Asking about this visa shows you already know a bit about NZ immigration. This "Work to Residence Visa" (WTR) was once a really highly sought-after option; it was how many people got their New Zealand residency (the "green card").

Simply put, the core idea was: "You come here and work steadily for a period, prove you have skills and contribute to New Zealand, and then I give you residency."

It was like a defined "probationary period" on the path to residency.

What were the main types?

Back when it was active, these were the two most common paths:

• Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa

  • How it worked: You found a job with a company specifically accredited by Immigration NZ (an Accredited Employer). They gave you a full-time job offer, and you applied for this visa.
  • What then? On this visa, you worked diligently for that same employer for 24 months. As long as you met salary, health, and character requirements, you could then apply for residence. The path was extremely clear.

• Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) Work Visa

  • How it worked: This one depended less on the employer and more on your occupation. Immigration NZ published a "Long Term Skill Shortage List." If your occupation, qualifications, and experience matched the list requirements, you could apply.
  • What then? Similarly, holding this visa, you worked in your qualified field in New Zealand for 24 months. After meeting certain requirements, you could then apply for residency.

See how clear those two paths were? The goal was defined; if you followed the steps, you had a very good chance of getting residency.

So, the crucial question: Is it still available now?

The answer is: For new applicants, this visa category is closed.

New Zealand overhauled its work visa system in July 2022, introducing the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). This new visa replaced several old work visas, including both WTR visas mentioned above.

So, if you're only thinking about applying now, you can no longer apply for the classic "Work to Residence Visa."

However, there's an exception: If you were already holding one of the specific visas like the "Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa" or "Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa" before the policy change, you can still follow the old path to complete your "24 months" and apply for residency. Immigration NZ provided transitional pathways for these existing visa holders.

So, are there "work to residence" paths now?

Absolutely! While the old name is gone, the core idea of "work first, get residency later" has been carried over into the new system, and there are even more options now. The main focus is:

💚 The Green List

Think of the "Green List" as an upgraded version of the old "Long Term Skill Shortage List." It categorizes highly needed occupations in New Zealand into two tiers, offering two new "work to residence" pathways:

1. Tier 1: Straight to Residence Pathway

   • If your occupation is on the Tier 1 list (e.g., various specialist doctors, engineers, IT experts), and you have a job offer from an NZ Accredited Employer, you don't have to wait! You can apply directly for residency, right away – super convenient.

2. Tier 2: Work to Residence Pathway

   • If your occupation is on the Tier 2 list (e.g., registered nurses, teachers, electricians), you need to:
     1. First apply for an AEWV work visa.
     2. Work for an Accredited Employer in your qualified field for 2 years (24 months).
     3. After that, you can apply for residency.
   • See? This follows the exact same logic as the old WTR! Only the name and the specific occupation lists have changed.

Besides the Green List, the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) with the 6-point system is also a primary route to residency, accumulating points including through work in New Zealand.

To quickly recap

• The "Work to Residence Visa" (WTR) is history; it's closed to new applicants.
• But the core concept of "work first, immigrate later" remains, perfectly embodied in the "Work to Residence" pathway linked to the "Green List".
• If you want this path now, the key is to see if your occupation is on the "Green List" and if you can secure an offer from an "Accredited Employer".
• Crucially: Immigration rules change! Always check the latest official information on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website! That's the only completely accurate source.

Hope this explanation gives you a clear picture! Good luck!