For adult Chinese primary applicants with qualifying Tier 1 employment or an offer from an accredited employer, including eligible offshore applications. Not a no-offer job-search visa. Excludes dependants, contracting exceptions and SMC.
These are separate applications, not automatic upgrades. Employment, role, personal eligibility and work history matter. A Resident Visa is also distinct from a Permanent Resident Visa.
Eligible Tier 1 employment may support Straight to Residence; an AEWV is not necessarily a prerequisite.
Official requirementsQualifying NZ work periods, role, pay and visa history are required for Tier 2 residence; this is not an initial work visa.
Official requirementsBe 55 or younger and check accredited employer, Tier 1 role, full-time/duration conditions, role-specific pay and qualifications, English, health and character. A similar job title is insufficient.
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Check the current Tier 1 role, employer and employment evidence, prepare eligibility documents, apply for residence and follow entry/travel conditions.
Use the official Green List for tier, qualification, registration and pay, not a translated title alone. Official guidance
Search by company name or NZBN; some employers are unpublished, so an absent listing needs further verification. Official guidance
Check employment, eligibility, health and character evidence and follow the application checklist. An offer is not approval. Official guidance
Follow the grant notice. A later Permanent Resident Visa requires its own conditions; two years do not trigger automatic conversion. Official guidance
Introductory preparation summary, not a complete checklist, individual advice or a visa guarantee. Follow official pages and individual notices. Reviewed: 2026-10-24
Green List roles, registration and pay rules change; do not reuse an old occupation list or median wage. Straight to Residence grants a Resident Visa; Permanent Resident Visa has separate criteria and application.
Employer accreditation and role eligibility are separate; not every job at an accredited employer qualifies. Official guidance
The principal applicant needs accepted evidence or test results, not the family-member option of buying lessons. Official guidance
Download a blank English PDF checklist to print and mark offline. This is not an exhaustive lodgement checklist; official requirements take precedence.