How to Convert New Zealand Work Visa to New Zealand Permanent Residency Visa

How to Convert New Zealand Work Visa to New Zealand Permanent Residency Visa

New Zealand permanent residency, must be a dream for many prospective immigrants who wish to settle in New Zealand for its better career opportunities, healthier lifestyle, and accelerating economical and social benefits.

Obtaining a New Zealand PR visa is not easy as it seems but it can be obtained through one of the reliable and structured pathways available is New Zealand Work Visa. Competent and talented professionals can gradually move towards permanent residency by meeting certain eligibility requirements. So, if you are a skilled and competent professional and desires to immigrate to New Zealand and obtain permanent residency then explore our comprehensive guide on how applicants can convert their New Zealand work visa to New Zealand permanent residency visa. 

New Zealand PR and New Zealand Work Visa 

New Zealand Permanent Residency Visa is a permanent visa which allows skilled professionals the right to live, work, and stay in the country for an indefinite period of time as permanent residents.

New Zealand Work Visa is a temporary visa which allows skilled and competent professionals the right to work, live and stay in the country for a limited period of time.

As a New Zealand work visa is often proved as an indirect pathway for New Zealand permanent residency, it provides individuals a chance to become permanent residents of the country by meeting certain eligibility requirements. 

New Zealand Permanent Residency Requirements

Not every other individual can apply for a New Zealand permanent residency visa as this visa requires certain eligibility requirements. With the completion of eligibility requirements, individuals can apply for permanent residency. Individuals who desire for permanent residency must adhere to these New Zealand permanent residency requirements such as:

❖  resident visa

❖  good character

❖  below 55 years of age 

Pathways for New Zealand Permanent Residency After New Zealand Work Visa

One of the most reliable pathways for obtaining New Zealand permanent residency is through New Zealand work visa, as individuals with certain eligibility requirements gradually convert their work visa to permanent residency. Let us explore which New Zealand work visa is apt for individuals seeking permanent residency. Some of the New Zealand work visas are listed below with example, which paves a direct pathway for New Zealand permanent residency: 

❖  Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Among all New Zealand work visas, the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is one of the fastest pathways which ensures New Zealand permanent residency. Individuals with a job or a job offer from accredited employers from New Zealand, and qualify for 6 points, can directly apply for Skilled Migrant Category Resident visa. The SMC visa is a point based visa, which is also used under New Zealand PR calculator for SMC visa category, evaluates points on certain factors such as:

●    Educational qualifications

●    New Zealand work experience

●    Income threshold

●    Occupation registration 

For Instance, Mr. Sameer, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer science desires to immigrate to New Zealand with a job offer from an accredited employer with an income threshold of NZD $ 70 an hour which is 2 times the 2024 median wage, his SMC point calculator will produce 7 points on the SMC calculator.

Bachelor’s degree - 3 points

Income threshold - 4 points 

With the Skilled Migrant Category Resident visa, Mr. Sameer will work, stay, and live in the country for an indefinite period of time. For this visa, Mr. Sameer will have to pay NZD $ 6450 at the time of visa application and will enjoy all the benefits as a permanent resident of New Zealand.

 ❖  Accredited Employer Work Visa

An Accredited Employer work visa is an opportunity for skilled professionals who have a valid job offer from the country’s accredited employers to migrate to the country for better career opportunities. With this visa, individuals are entitled to stay in the country for up to 5 years. 

For Instance, Mr. Shantanu, who has a work experience of more than 5 years in the Hospitality sector, employed as a Hotel Manager, wishes to immigrate to the country for better career prospects. He is likely to move through AEWV, with a valid job offer from an accredited employer from the country itself.

With this visa, Shantanu will work in New Zealand as a Hotel Manager and reside in the country for 5 years. He will have to pay NZD $ 1540 as the visa application fee. After working for at least 2 years of continuous service, Shantanu will become eligible for a residence visa. And after a resilience visa, Shantanu will apply for permanent residency.

Accredited Employer Work Visa is a long route as compared to Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa to apply for permanent residency in New Zealand.

  You can also check the entire list of accredited employers in New Zealand

 ❖  New Zealand Work to Residence Visa

New Zealand work to residence visa is a special pathway for individuals who seek permanent residency in New Zealand. Under this pathway, applicants can apply for permanent residency when they have a job or job offer with an accredited employer and have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in a Green List Tier 2 in-demand job.

For Instance, Ms. Geetika, a pre-primary school teacher for the past 2 years in New Zealand, can apply for permanent residency with this work to residence visa as her occupation falls under the New Zealand Green List Tier 2 occupations. With this visa, Geetika is entitled to stay in the country for an indefinite period of stay. 

❖  Post–Study Work Visa

Post – study work visa is a work visa which allows international students to apply for jobs after the completion of their studies in New Zealand and stay, work, and reside in the country for 3 years. After the completion of 2 years in the same occupation, applicants become eligible for resident visa and later as a resident visa holder, they apply for permanent residency.

For instance, Mr. Rohit, who migrated to New Zealand to pursue his dream of higher education, has now completed his education and now desires to explore employment opportunities in the country. With his study visa, he becomes eligible for a post-study work visa as he is entitled to find a job and work in the country for 3 years. Within this 3 year duration, after completion of 2 years, he becomes eligible for resident visa, which can later be converted to permanent residency visa. 

These are some of the work visas which can later be converted to permanent residency visa. With these work visas, applicants are entitled to stay in the country for a limited period of time while by converting their work visas into permanent residency they are entitled to stay in the country for an indefinite period of time. And later as permanent residents they enjoy all the benefits such as social, economical and healthcare facilities the country bestows upon its residents. New Zealand permanent residency is often cherished by prospective immigrants as it is a direct pathway for New Zealand citizenship. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Individuals often make some common mistakes while applying for the permanent residency such as:

❖  Taking a low profile job that does not meet PR eligibility criteria

❖  Not checking salary threshold (for 6 points calculator)

❖  Changing employers without updating visa conditions

❖  Delaying PR application after becoming eligible

❖  Assuming all the visas led to permanent residency 

Tips to Improve PR Chances

Individuals who desire permanent residency in New Zealand must adhere to some of the tips detailed below:

❖  Applicants must choose jobs with accredited employers in the country.

❖  Applicants can also apply for occupations listed under the New Zealand Green List which is a straight pathway for permanent residency.

❖  Applicants must work consistently with employers for at least 2 years, and if they want to switch jobs across the labour market, then update the visa conditions before taking a step ahead.

❖  Applicants must keep all their documents updated at every stage, even after obtaining a resident visa.

Converting a New Zealand work visa to permanent residency is achievable only when there is structured planning, dedication, and consistent efforts. Without structured planning and understanding PR requirements, individuals cannot obtain New Zealand permanent residency smoothly. 

Immigration Insights from Province Immigration

Whether you are a skilled professional or an international student, who wishes to immigrate to New Zealand and later settle as New Zealand permanent residents, then consult Province Immigration and we will assist you in how you can apply for a New Zealand work visa and how you can convert your New Zealand work visa to New Zealand permanent residency.

For more New Zealand work visa, New Zealand PR, New Zealand student visa, call us on: + 919896196762