Immigration Update: Clearer Guidance on Wage Requirements for Work to Residence Visa

Immigration New Zealand has recently issued updated guidance clarifying how median wage requirements apply under the Work to Residence Visa pathway, following feedback from immigration professionals. This update is particularly important as it addresses practical scenarios that have historically created confusion, especially around changes in salary, job roles, and employment continuity.

Under the Work to Residence pathway, applicants are required to complete 24 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand within the 30 months immediately before applying for residence. A key point now clearly reinforced is that applicants must meet the relevant wage threshold not only during the qualifying work period but also at the time of applying for residence. This dual requirement is critical and often overlooked, particularly in cases where salary levels fluctuate over time.

The updated guidance also provides much-needed clarity on when work experience can start and stop being counted. Immigration New Zealand has introduced practical examples covering real-life scenarios, such as changes in employment, salary adjustments, or breaks in work. These examples help illustrate how periods of employment may or may not count towards the required 24 months, depending on whether the wage and skill thresholds were consistently met during those periods.

From an advisory perspective, this update reinforces the need for careful planning throughout the employment phase—not just at the point of residence application. Any drop below the required wage threshold, change in job role, or interruption in employment can impact the eligibility timeline. Applicants and employers must therefore ensure that employment conditions remain aligned with immigration requirements across the entire qualifying period.

Overall, this clarification brings greater transparency but also highlights the importance of maintaining continuous compliance with wage and job criteria. For those on a Work to Residence pathway, this is a reminder that residence is not assessed based on intent, but on evidence of sustained, compliant skilled employment over time.

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