The annual update to the wage thresholds for skilled residence visas took effect on Monday, 18 August 2025.

Applicants must have a job offer that pays at least the wage threshold for their occupation to be eligible for a skilled residence visa, such as a Skilled Migrant Category, Work to Residence or Straight to Residence visa. 

The change can also affect work visa holders in New Zealand on a pathway to residence.

Work visa holders need to be paid at least the wage threshold in effect at the time they started their job for it to count as eligible work experience for a Skilled Migrant Category or Work to Residence visa. They do not need to have a pay increase when wage thresholds increase.

However, if they change jobs, their remuneration decreases, or they apply for another work visa, their new pay must be at least the current wage threshold for their work experience to count. They must also meet the new wage threshold at the time they apply for residence.

Wage thresholds reflect market conditions and skill requirements and are updated annually in line with median wage changes.

Residence pathway for 10 more skilled trades (Note pay rate requirements below**)

On 18 August 2025, 10 skilled trades occupations will be added to the Green List Work to Residence pathway to help meet the expected demand for tradespeople in the workforce.

Eligible applicants can apply for residence after working in New Zealand and earning the relevant wage threshold for 2 years in one of these 10 occupations.

• Metal Fabricator*
• Metal Machinist (First Class)*
• Fitter (General)*
• Fitter and Turner*
• Fitter Welder*
• Pressure Welder*
• Welder*
• Panel Beater**
• Vehicle Painter**
• Paving Plant Operator**

Work to Residence Visa applicants must meet the skills, work experience and wage requirements. Standard health, character, language, and age requirements also apply.

People working in these 10 trades can apply for a Work to Residence Visa if they:

• Have a job or job offer in one of the listed Green List occupations
• Are aged 55 or under when applying for residence
• Meet health, character, and English language requirements
• Meet the specific job and pay requirements for their occupation, including:
• earning at least the required applicable wage at the time of the residence application, and
• having 24 months of full-time, paid work experience in a relevant job in New Zealand, earning at least the required Green List wage for that role at the time they started it. 

To be eligible, applicants will need to be paid at a level that reflects the skill and experience required for their role:

• *for Metal Fabricator, Welder, Fitter, and Machinist roles listed above, applicants must be earning at least $43.63 an hour (or $90,750 a year based on a 40-hour week)
• **for Paving Plant Operators, Panel Beaters, and Vehicle Painters, applicants must be earning at least $38.59 an hour (or $80,267 a year).

The wage thresholds for these roles were developed as part of the Green List review in 2023 and were based on consultation with industry groups at that time.

Wage thresholds are used in the work-to-residence pathway in the Green List for roles that do not have requirements for a qualification or occupational registration. 

These wage thresholds target the most skilled and experienced workers in these roles.