Two new residence pathways became available from September 2022, offering a streamlined residence process for migrants in certain high-demand jobs.
In 2022 INZ implemented three new skilled residence pathways: Green List Straight to Residence (StR), Green List Work to Residence (WtR) and Highly Paid. The Highly Paid pathway has recently been discontinued, having been incorporated into the overhauled Skilled Migrant Category residence pathway.
The Green List is similar to the Long Term Skills Shortage List, including skilled occupations in high demand by employers in New Zealand. There are two tiers: employment in a tier one occupation allows you to apply under the Straight to Residence pathway and employment in a tier two occupation allows you to apply under the Work to Residence pathway after you have held employment in the role for two years, but no sooner than 29 September 2023.
The challenges of obtaining residence under these pathways are not dissimilar to the Skilled Migrant Category. While there isn't a points threshold, for those applying under the Green List there will still be an assessment of duties against the ANZSCO framework, in order to determine if the applicant truly holds a position in a listed occupation. It will also be necessary to meet the qualification and/or work experience requirements listed against the relevant occupation, and the employer will need to be accredited with INZ before residence is applied for. English, health and character requirements also remain, and median wage thresholds apply.
With a wealth of experience in these particular issues, including two of the team having previously specialised in assessing such matters within Immigration New Zealand itself, our Immigration Team are uniquely placed to guide you on your eligibility for residence through these new pathways. We can complete a no-obligation preliminary assessment of your eligibility, discuss and implement plans with you to enable you to become eligible (including supporting your employer in becoming accredited if that is required) and manage the entire application process from start to finish.
Our objective is to guide our clients through to successfully obtaining residence in the most cost-effective and efficient way, with minimal stress. We are upfront when it comes to fees, with all of our fees published here, and our clients value the level of communication they receive from our team, in ensuring they are kept informed while minimising the burden to them.
To embark on your journey to residence, fill out a free initial assessment here and one of our team will be in touch.
How Saunders & Co can add value:
- We will provide an initial, no obligation review of you and your family’s circumstances to review whether one of the Green List pathways is the best option for you, advise who is best placed to be the principal applicant, and determine whether you meet the general eligibility criteria
- We will advise you on any criteria that aren’t met and what steps you would need to take in order to meet those criteria, including reviewing and advising employers on employment documentation and statutory employment obligations, plus an accreditation application if necessary
- For those emigrating to New Zealand, we will advise on temporary visa options to facilitate moving to New Zealand while a residence application is in process
- We will prepare each stage of the process and be your point of contact for INZ throughout
- We will respond to, and present submissions to INZ on any concerns raised during the processing of the application
- We can represent you for an appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal on potentially incorrect decisions received from INZ