How to Relocate to New Zealand: Complete Step by Step Guide

A verified guide covering the Green List (Tier 1 Straight to Residence and Tier 2 Work to Residence), AEWV, Skilled Migrant Category, fees, family, settlement, scholarships, and citizenship. Updated September 2026 with March 2026 median wage changes.

New Zealand's Green List Tier 1 lets you apply for permanent residency the day you arrive. No waiting period. No temporary visa first. Straight to residence.

But the system changed significantly in 2025 and 2026. The median wage requirement for AEWV was removed. New occupations were added to the Green List. Wage thresholds increased. And most guides online are still using last year's figures.

This guide is current and verified.

📄 What Is Inside:

✅ All 5 visa pathways: Green List Tier 1, Tier 2, AEWV, Skilled Migrant Category, and Study Pathway

✅ Green List occupations by sector with Tier 1 and Tier 2 explained

✅ AEWV: what the March 2025 median wage removal actually means and what the $35/hour threshold still applies to

✅ Qualifications, professional registration, and English requirements

✅ 7 verified job portals

✅ Full application process for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 routes

✅ Complete cost breakdown (AEWV $1,540, Job Check $735, SMC $6,450)

✅ Settlement: IRD number, bank, healthcare, housing, transport

✅ Family: partner work rights, children's education

✅ Resident Visa → Permanent Resident Visa → Citizenship pathway

✅ 5 recurring scholarship programmes with stipends up to NZD $35,000/year

✅ Common mistakes, relocation tips, official links, and realistic timeline

🇳🇿 Why New Zealand:

✅ Tier 1: Residency on arrival. No waiting.

✅ English speaking. No additional language test for most roles.

✅ Partner gets open work rights

✅ Dual citizenship allowed

✅ NZ passport = right to live and work in Australia

✅ Citizenship in 5 years

Every figure verified against immigration.govt.nz. Updated September 2026.

⚠️ The author is not an immigration adviser or lawyer. Always verify at immigration.govt.nz.

Created by Kelvin Ossai | @iam_kelvinossai