New Zealand to Freeze Wage Thresholds for Green List Work-to-Residence Applicants

Summary

Immigration New Zealand will change wage assessment rules for Tier 2 Green List Work to Residence applications from 24 August 2026. Applicants will generally be assessed against the wage rate in force when they began counting eligible work experience. A new grace period will also protect some migrants who start work shortly after visa approval. The 24-month work requirement within a 30-month period remains unchanged.

Our Analysis

• We see this as a meaningful risk-management improvement for migrants already accumulating Green List work experience.
• Advisers should audit wage records and employment start dates before the 24 August implementation.
• The unchanged 24-month requirement means pathway planning remains essential despite greater wage certainty.

Full Story

Immigration New Zealand is set to change how wage requirements are assessed for Green List Work to Residence applications, giving eligible migrants greater certainty as they complete the required employment period.

The changes will take effect on 24 August 2026 and apply to Tier 2 Green List Work to Residence visas, as well as the Care Workforce and Transport Work to Residence pathways. Under the revised rules, applicants will generally need to meet the wage rate that applied to their occupation when they began counting eligible work experience. They will not be required to meet a higher wage threshold later if the rate increases or if they change employers during the qualifying period.

A new grace-period provision will also support migrants whose required wage rate rises between visa approval and the start of employment. To qualify, applicants must begin work within five months of their visa being granted, have been paid at least the required rate when the visa was approved, and continue accumulating experience within the applicable timeframe.

Applicants will still need 24 months of eligible New Zealand work experience within the 30 months immediately before applying for residence. They must also continue meeting the occupation-specific requirements attached to their Green List role, including any registration, qualification, employer accreditation and pay conditions.

For international students and skilled workers planning a Green List pathway, the adjustment reduces the risk that future wage-threshold increases will disrupt an otherwise compliant residence plan. It also makes employment timing, payroll records and evidence of continuous eligible work especially important ahead of the August implementation date.