Work to Residence Visa NZ Explained: Routes, Requirements & Timeline
Work to Residence isn't one visa — it's a pathway. Here's how the Green List Tier 2 route and the Care Workforce route actually get you to residence.
"Work to Residence" is a phrase that gets searched constantly and understood loosely — it isn't a single visa you tick a box for, it's a pathway: hold a qualifying work visa, work continuously in a qualifying role for a set period, then apply for residence. Two groups of occupations currently have a Work to Residence route in New Zealand.
Route 1: Green List Tier 2
Occupations on Tier 2 of the [Green List](/blog/nz-green-list-2026-guide) don't get straight-to-residence treatment. Instead, you hold an [Accredited Employer Work Visa](/blog/accredited-employer-work-visa-aewv-guide-2026) tied to a Tier 2 occupation, work continuously in that role for the required stand-down period, and then become eligible to apply for residence.
Route 2: Care Workforce
Certain care-sector roles have their own dedicated [Care Workforce Work to Residence category](/countries/nz/visas/care-workforce-work-to-residence-visa), built on the same underlying logic — continuous qualifying employment leading to a residence application — but with its own specific role list and conditions, separate from the general Green List Tier 2 route.
How this differs from a plain AEWV
An AEWV on its own is just a temporary work visa — it doesn't guarantee anything beyond permission to work in that role for that employer. Work to Residence is what happens when that AEWV is tied to a qualifying occupation: the visa becomes the first leg of a defined path to residence, rather than a visa you'd need to keep renewing indefinitely.
What changing employers usually means
Because the pathway is built on continuous qualifying employment, changing employers or roles partway through can affect your progress toward the residence application, depending on whether the new role still qualifies. If a change is on the table, it's worth checking your standing against the current route requirements before making the move, not after.
Frequently asked questions
How is Work to Residence different from the AEWV?+
The AEWV is the visa itself. Work to Residence is the pathway that some AEWV holders are on, because their occupation is tied to a Green List Tier 2 or Care Workforce route — it determines what happens after you've held the visa for the qualifying period, not how you get the visa in the first place.
How long before I can apply for residence on this pathway?+
It depends on the specific route and occupation — the qualifying period is set by INZ and reviewed periodically, so check the current requirement on the visa page rather than assuming a fixed number.
What happens if I change employer partway through?+
It can affect your progress toward residence if the new role or employer doesn't meet the same route's requirements. Confirm your new role still qualifies before changing, rather than assuming continuity.
You might also want
- AnswerAEWV vs Work to Residence vs Green List: What’s the Difference?
- VisaWork to Residence Visa (Green List)
- GuideNew Zealand Green List 2026: Full Guide to Roles & Residence Pathways
- VisaCare Workforce Work to Residence Visa
- GuideAccredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) New Zealand: 2026 Requirements & Process
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