🇳🇿 New Zealand visas: requirements, costs, and processing times
Last verified: October 1, 2026
We track 2 New Zealand visa routes: Accredited Employer Work Visa and Skilled Migrant Category Residence. Each is verified against the official government source for Indians and Filipinos.
Compare New Zealand visa costs and processing times
| Visa | Gov. fee | Processing | Min. income | Job offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visawork | $870 | 6–20 weeks | — | Required |
| Skilled Migrant Category Residencework | $3,000 | 16–40 weeks | — | Required |
Amounts are approximate US dollar equivalents. A range means the figure differs by nationality.
New Zealand visa types
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
workNew Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa, valid up to five years. A common misconception: the median wage requirement was removed from the AEWV on 10 March 2025, so your pay must be the market rate for the role and at or above the adult minimum wage rather than a fixed threshold. The median wage — NZD $35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026 — still matters for Green List pay floors, supporting a partner, and qualifying later for residence, so aim above it if residence is your goal. Your employer must hold accreditation and complete a job check before you can apply. Three steps run in sequence: employer accreditation, job check, then your application. You also need at least two years of relevant work experience, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework — so the AEWV is not open to applicants with neither.
Skilled Migrant Category Residence (SMC)
workPermanent residence through the points system, restructured on 24 August 2026 into three pathways: the existing 6-point route, plus new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways. You need six points from qualifications, occupational registration or income, and the changes made this friendlier — New Zealand master's degrees now score 6 points against 5 for overseas master's, and wage assessment at the residence application stage was removed, so you only need to meet the median wage when your skilled work experience begins rather than continuously. Green List Tier 1 occupations, covering many health, engineering and ICT roles, skip all of this: a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer takes you Straight to Residence without doing the AEWV first.
New Zealand visa guides by nationality
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How much does a New Zealand work visa cost?
- Government fees are about $870 for the Accredited Employer Work Visa and $3,000 for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.
- How long does a New Zealand visa take to process?
- Typical processing is 6–20 weeks for the Accredited Employer Work Visa and 16–40 weeks for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- Can I move to New Zealand without a job offer?
- Every New Zealand route we track requires a job offer from an employer in New Zealand.
- Which New Zealand visas lead to permanent residency?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa and Skilled Migrant Category Residence offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
Always confirm requirements with the official government source linked on each visa page. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Browse visas for other countries.