NZ Visa Update: Green List Work to Residence wage requirement change

Changes have been made to the wage requirement for some Green List Work to Residence applicants. The change took effect on 5 October 2026.

Previously, some people in 18 Green List occupations were exempt from meeting the required wage threshold while gaining the New Zealand work experience needed for residence. This exemption was introduced when the median wage requirement was first added in 2023, to help workers already working or about to start working in certain high-demand occupations.

The 5 October change clarifies that the exemption applies only to workers in the 18 affected occupations who both:

• applied for a visa before 29 September 2023
• gained some of their eligible work experience while holding that visa.

Where people are eligible for the exemption, it can only apply to either the work experience or job at the time of residence application. This means if the applicant did not earn the relevant wage threshold while gaining work experience, their job or job offer must meet the wage threshold when they apply for residence (or vice versa).

This change follows updates to Green List Work to Residence wage requirements on 24 August 2026.