Country Info Hub

New Zealand

Famed for its breathtaking natural beauty, high quality of life, and straightforward PR pathways.

Visa Routes Breakdown

40 Total

Work (6)

PR (11)

Study (5)

Visit (4)

Capital: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Fetching live rate...
Languages: English, Māori
Time vs Colombo: +7h 30m
Population: About 0.0 million
Calling code: +64
Drives on: Left
Climate: Temperate with sharp regional contrasts

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Official Visa Data

Visa Routes Breakdown

40 Total

Work (6)

PR (11)

Study (5)

Visit (4)

New Zealand

Working in New Zealand

Check whether your occupation is in demand, what recognition you need, and where to apply safely.

Sources checked 24 Aug 2026

Is your occupation a good match?

Source: Immigration New Zealand Green List(opens in a new tab)

Search the published shortage and labour-market lists. A listed occupation can strengthen a skilled-work case, but sponsorship, registration or licensing may still apply.

Occupation or skill

Green List Healthcare
Immigration New Zealand’s Green List gives priority to many health roles.
- Registered nurses
- General practitioners
- Anaesthetic technicians
- Medical specialists
Open official source(opens in a new tab)
Infrastructure, Construction & Surveying
Green List and AEWV demand include infrastructure and building occupations.
- Civil engineers
- Construction project managers
- Quantity surveyors
- Surveyors
Open official source(opens in a new tab)
ICT, Education & Trades
New Zealand continues to target selected digital, teaching, and trade skills.
- Software engineers
- ICT managers
- Secondary school teachers
- Electricians
Open official source(opens in a new tab)

View all assessment bodies

A Sri Lankan degree, professional registration or trade certificate may need assessment before it counts towards a visa or professional licence.

Qualification recognitionNZQA
NursingNursing Council of New Zealand
EngineeringEngineering New Zealand / regulator where required
TeachingTeaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand

Minimum wage: NZD 23.50 per hour adult minimum wage from 1 April 2025Verify the current statutory, sectoral, or sponsored-work salary rule before accepting an offer.
Typical skilled salary: Often NZD 65,000-95,000+ for skilled full-time rolesVaries by industry, experience and city.What it costs to live there
Student work limit: Usually 20 hours per week during term timeApplies only while you hold a valid student visa.Student work rights

Where to apply

Start with official services to verify that a vacancy is real, then use commercial job boards for broader coverage.

Official government services

Commercial job boards

What to check next

A job offer alone is not permission to work. Confirm the visa route and whether the salary covers your living costs.

New Zealand

Visa Routes Breakdown

Quick facts

Visa Routes Breakdown

Working in New Zealand

Is your occupation a good match?

Green List Healthcare

Infrastructure, Construction & Surveying

ICT, Education & Trades

Where to apply

Official government services

Commercial job boards

Working as an international studentUsually 20 hours per week during term time

Writing a CV for New ZealandView 4 country-specific CV tips

What to check next

Working in New Zealand

Is your occupation a good match?

Green List Healthcare

Infrastructure, Construction & Surveying

ICT, Education & Trades

Where to apply

Official government services

Commercial job boards

Working as an international studentUsually 20 hours per week during term time

Writing a CV for New ZealandView 4 country-specific CV tips

What to check next