Green List Tier 2 Work to Residence — NZ Eligibility

Skilled trades and technical occupations: 24 months of qualifying NZ work, with trade-specific wage thresholds.

About Green List Tier 2 Work to Residence (SR5)

The Green List Tier 2 Work to Residence visa covers a broad range of skilled trades and technical occupations. The standard wage threshold is the immigration median wage ($35.00/hour from 9 March 2026), but several trades carry elevated thresholds — +15% for telecommunications technicians, civil machinery operators, panel beaters and vehicle painters; +30% for welders, fitters, fabricators, machinists and crane operators; and +50% for building associates. Your qualifying work must be paid at or above the rate that applies to your specific occupation.

You need 24 months of qualifying work within a 30-month rolling window, completed for an Accredited Employer while you hold a valid NZ work visa. The work doesn't need to be consecutive. Up to 6 months at twice the median wage ($70.00/hour) can be combined with Tier 2 time to reach the threshold, as can qualifying months from the Care Workforce and Transport Sector pathways.

Since 24 August 2026, you need to meet the wage rate for your occupation at one fixed point in time — for example, the date you began work within the 30-month window, or your work visa grant date if you started work within five months of it — and then keep being paid at least that rate. Getting the wage history right is the most common reason Tier 2 applications come unstuck. We can review your file before you lodge.