Five NZ visa pathways, plainly told

Work visa tied to an INZ-accredited employer who has a Job Check.

Professional fees

$1.5k–$3.5k NZD

INZ application fee

$870 (incl. IRL levy)

Typical processing

4–12 weeks

The most common work-visa pathway since 2022. Three steps: the employer is INZ-accredited, INZ approves a Job Check for the specific role, then you apply for the migrant visa. The adviser's job is mostly on step three for the migrant — but a good adviser will also pressure-test the employer's accreditation and Job Check before you accept the offer, because you inherit any weakness in those.

Points-based residence for skilled migrants — the main residence pathway.

Professional fees

$3.5k–$8k NZD

INZ application fee

$5,610 (incl. IRL levy)

Typical processing

16–48 weeks

The points-based residence-from-the-start route. Since the 2023 changes, SMC awards 6+ points across qualifications, occupational registration, income, and partner support — with a 6-point threshold to be selected. NZQA assessment of overseas qualifications is the single biggest source of points-anxiety, and the single most common reason a confident applicant misses the bar.

Visa via a genuine and stable relationship with an NZ citizen or resident.

Professional fees

$2k–$4.5k NZD

INZ application fee

$2,710 (incl. IRL levy)

Typical processing

8–24 weeks

Probably the highest paperwork-to-fee ratio of any visa. INZ assesses two things: that the relationship is genuine, and that it has been stable and ongoing for at least 12 months at the time of application. Joint bank statements, tenancy agreements, photographs across time, witness statements, family-event evidence — the documentary case is the case. Advisers who specialise in this category are mostly running document-discipline, not legal argument.

Study visa with the post-study work-rights pipeline that follows it.

Professional fees

$1.2k–$2.5k NZD

INZ application fee

$375 (incl. IRL levy)

Typical processing

4–10 weeks

A Student Visa is the easy bit. The harder bit is the chain that leads from it: post-study work-rights (now linked to qualification level and study location), AEWV at the end of that, and eventually SMC residence. Advisers who do student visas well are really doing five-year migration plans starting at enrolment — because the qualification you choose at 19 determines whether you can stay at 25.

Fast-tracked residence for in-demand occupations on INZ's Green List.

Professional fees

$2.5k–$6k NZD

INZ application fee

$4,290 (incl. IRL levy)

Typical processing

6–20 weeks

Green List occupations get a tier-1 (straight-to-residence) or tier-2 (work-to-residence after two years) pathway. The list is updated periodically by MBIE; in 2026 it covers most healthcare specialisms, secondary teachers in shortage subjects, registered engineers, ICT senior roles, vets, and several skilled-trades categories. Occupational registration is gating on most tier-1 pathways — and registration timelines are the slowest moving part of the process for healthcare migrants in particular.