New Zealand Publishes Salary Requirements for Foreigners Seeking Quick Permanent Residency
- New Zealand's immigration authority has published details of its Green List, which separates in-demand jobs into two skill tiers with different visa pathways
- Tier 1 jobs on the Green List offer a direct route to a Residence Visa, while Tier 2 positions lead to a Work to Residence Visa pathway
- The government has specified a minimum hourly wage requirement that foreign applicants must meet to qualify for the straight-to-residence route
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New Zealand's immigration authority has published the salary and employment conditions that foreign nationals must meet to qualify for a Straight to Residence Visa through the country's Green List programme.
According to Immigration New Zealand, the Green List is a catalogue of occupations that the country has identified as priority areas, grouped into two tiers based on skill level. Tier 1 positions offer applicants a direct pathway to permanent residence, while those in Tier 2 roles must first secure a Work to Residence Visa before advancing further.
Source: UGC
New Zealand: How salary requirements work
According to the New Zealand government, to be eligible:
- Applicants must satisfy the pay threshold tied to their specific Green List occupation.
- Where no dedicated rate is listed for a particular role, the requirement defaults to the 2025 median wage of NZD $35.00 (N28,176.86) per hour.
Beyond the salary threshold, applicants must also meet registration, membership, and qualification requirements relevant to their occupation. Acceptable proof of employment includes:
- A signed employment agreement,
- A fixed-term contract,
- A formal offer letter.
Whichever document is submitted must clearly state the position, working hours, duration, and rate of pay. Contracts that run without interruption, or that collectively add up to six months or more, are considered valid for the application.
What salary requirements mean for African applicants
For Nigerians and other African professionals considering the Japa route to New Zealand, the Green List represents one of the more structured and transparent immigration pathways available.
Skilled workers in fields such as healthcare, engineering, and education are among those most likely to find their roles represented on the list.
New Zealand mentions reasons for entry refusal
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that New Zealand Immigration has published the conditions under which travellers can be denied entry or stopped from boarding flights to the country.
The official rules cover identity documents, visa conditions, character and health requirements, and behaviour at the border.
Source: Legit.ng
