Home / Destinations / New Zealand
Registered nurses on Green List Tier 1 can go straight to residence — we verify the accredited employer and sequence your NCNZ registration.
Accredited-employer route · No job or visa guarantees
Green List Tier 1 — straight to residence, with an eligible offer.
Roles: registered nurses (priority shortage occupation); gate: eligible offer plus NCNZ registration.
Hired against genuine accredited-employer vacancies.
Roles: allied health, aged care, support workers; gate: accredited-employer AEWV offer.
Sponsored by accredited employers where genuine shortages exist.
Roles: trades, technicians, site roles; gate: accredited employer and sustained shortage.
| Route | Employer or sponsor | Can work? | Best suited for | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Accredited employer | ✓ Yes | Skilled/semi-skilled with an accredited-employer offer after a Job Check. March 2025: median-wage pay requirement removed — pay at/above market rate & minimum wage (median NZD 35.00/hr from March 2026 anchors other thresholds); experience cut 3→2 years; lower-skilled roles up to 3-yr visas; family possible | Tied to your accredited employer |
| Green List Tier 1 / Tier 2 | Accredited employer | ✓ Yes → residence | Green List occupation with a qualifying offer. Tier 1 straight to residence; Tier 2 work-to-residence after ~24 months in-role. Generally aged 55 or under, plus occupation registration; family possible | Age/registration limits; Tier 2 needs ~24 months in-role |
| Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) | None (points-tested) | ✓ Yes (PR) | Points for registration, qualifications or income (~1.5× median, ~NZD 52.50/hr) plus NZ work experience. FLAG: changes from 24 Aug 2026 — more points for NZ qualifications, overseas bachelor's → 4 points, NZ master's → 6 points; family included | Points-tested; significant changes from 24 Aug 2026 |
| Student visa | Institution | Study only | Offer of place from an NZ provider; ~NZD 20,000–25,000/yr funds (under revision); in-study work up to 25 hrs/wk; post-study work up to 3 yrs for Level 7+; family possible | Study-focused; limited in-study work |
| Partner & family visas | NZ resident/citizen | With permit | Partners and eligible family; genuine, stable relationship (~12 months living together); supporting partner meets income thresholds (rose March 2026) | Requires a genuine, stable relationship |
| Visitor visa | None / host | ✕ No | Stays up to 6 months; funds ~NZD 1,000/month (less with pre-paid accommodation); strong ties and return plan expected | No employment permitted |
Figures as of mid-2026, re-verified at assessment — live flags: AEWV median-wage pay requirement removed March 2025; SMC points changes from 24 August 2026.
Which route fits your profile?
Compare New Zealand RoutesSince early 2024: online theory exam via Pearson VUE (available in India), then in-person OSCE; English usually IELTS Academic 7 (6.5 writing) or equivalent OET.
A genuine INZ-accredited-employer offer meeting the wage threshold (~NZD 35.00/hour, March 2026, reviewed periodically) gates the AEWV — Green List makes it more direct, not offer-free.
Lodge the AEWV, or — Tier 1 nurses with an eligible offer — residence directly, generally aged 55 or under, meeting registration and health/character requirements.
The 3-hour clinical OSCE is currently sat in Christchurch — unlike some countries' fully overseas exams — so budget travel and stay.
Complete formalities and begin work — on the AEWV, or for eligible Green List Tier 1 nurses, already on a residence pathway.
Tick what you hold — we map what's missing, before anyone pays anything.
0 of 10 items ready
Employer accreditation costs are never billed as consultancy fees.
Every candidate-paid expense is explained in writing first.
Vincit's fee is itemized separately from third-party fees.
| Cost or responsibility | Employer | You | Vincit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genuine, eligible offer | Provides | Reviews & signs | Verifies accreditation & offer |
| INZ accreditation & job-check costs | Pays — employer bears | — | Confirms it stays that way |
| NCNZ application & exam fees (theory, OSCE) | — | Pays | Sequences registration & exams |
| English test (IELTS/OET) | — | Pays | Times against filing |
| Travel & stay for the in-person OSCE (nurses) | — | Pays | Helps you sequence it |
| Advisory fee | — | If engaged | Itemized in writing — no guarantee claims |
Runs your assessment — Green List fit and offer verification — with scope and fees in writing.
Speak with Sneha →
Owns the moving parts — NCNZ scheduling, OSCE travel, and visa or residence submission.
Ask Zaid a question →Green List & residence
Registered nurses on Green List Tier 1 with an eligible offer may apply for residence directly. It's not automatic — NCNZ registration, age (generally 55 or under) and other requirements still apply.
Employer & jobs
Yes — both the AEWV and Green List route require a genuine INZ-accredited-employer offer meeting the relevant wage threshold. There's no job-seeker visa equivalent.
NCNZ & exams
Since early 2024: an online theory exam via Pearson VUE (available in India), then an in-person OSCE in Christchurch.
OSCE & travel
Currently, yes — it's sat in-country, in Christchurch, unlike some countries' fully overseas exams. Budget the travel and stay.
A practical review of your employer status, route, documentation gaps and next steps.
Clear scope before paid engagement.