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Country guide · New Zealand

Getting a job in New Zealand, 2026

One number runs almost everything: the median wage at NZD $35.00 an hour. It stopped being a pay requirement in 2025 but still sets the Green List floors, the five year stay, the advertising exemptions and the residence points. The three steps of the work visa and why two are not yours, the Green List in both tiers, the residence rebuild of 24 August 2026, and the trial period clause that should not be in your contract.

Country guidePublished 20 September 2026·Every figure checked 20 September 2026·18 min read
$35.00
Median wage an hour since 9 March 2026, the index behind everything
Immigration New Zealand, 18 Feb 2026
2 of 3
Steps of the work visa that belong to the employer, not to you
INZ accreditation and job check pages
0 months
New Zealand work needed before residence on Green List Tier 1
Operational Manual Appendix 13, 9 Mar 2026
No trial
90 day trial periods cannot be used on a work visa holder
INZ, effective 29 Oct 2023
Section 01

The work visa, the median wage, and the Green List

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One number runs almost everything in New Zealand immigration: the median wage, currently NZD $35.00 an hour since 9 March 2026. It is no longer a pay requirement for the main work visa, but it still sets the Green List floors, the five year stay threshold, the advertising exemptions, the residence points and the partner thresholds.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa, in three steps

STEP 1 · THE EMPLOYER Accreditation NZD $775 · lasts 12 months Decision in about 2 days STEP 2 · THE EMPLOYER Job check NZD $735 · valid 6 months 14 or 21 days of advertising STEP 3 · YOU Your visa From NZD $1,540 80% inside 6 weeks You apply using a token the accredited employer issues you. Without steps 1 and 2, there is nothing to apply for.
Two of the three steps belong to the employer, and they happen before you exist in the system. Sources: Immigration New Zealand, employer accreditation and job check process pages; May 2026 Fees Guide. Checked 20 September 2026.
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Section 02

Residence, the August 2026 rebuild, and what it costs

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Section 03

Regulated professions, pay, KiwiSaver and the CV

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