25/07/2025
New Zealand now offers a direct path to permanent residency for qualified overseas primary and secondary school teachers, under its Green List immigration policy.
📍Primary and Intermediate Teachers
• Starting 26 March 2025, the New Zealand Government moved primary and intermediate teachers onto the Tier 1 “Straight to Residence” Green List pathway.
• That means if you secure a job offer from a New Zealand school accredited under the AEWV scheme and meet requirements, you can apply for residence immediately, even from overseas, no two-year work stint needed.
📍Secondary School Teachers
• This change already took effect on 1 May 2024 for secondary school teachers, they have been eligible for straight-to‑residence with a job offer from that date onward.
📍Early Childhood (ECE) Teachers
• Still on Tier 2, meaning you need to work in New Zealand for two years under the Work to Residence pathway before applying for residency.
📍Relocation grant
• Overseas-qualified teachers may be eligible for the Overseas Relocation Grant, up to NZ$10,000 to offset relocation costs (e.g. travel, credentialing, job interviews)
📍Requirements
To qualify you must:
1. Hold a valid job offer from a New Zealand school accredited under the AEWV system.
2. Hold full registration and a practising certificate from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. This typically requires an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) from NZQA for overseas credentials and proof of English competency   .
3. Meet the Green List eligibility criteria, including employer accreditation and minimum wage thresholds (e.g. around NZ$31.61/hour for primary roles) .
📍Application season and timeline
• Applications are accepted year-round, but the peak hiring season for schools is typically July–September (aligning with New Zealand’s academic calendar) when staffing needs become clearer through retirements or resignations.
Once you have everything in place (job offer, registration, visa application), residence visa processing generally takes around 2–4 months, although some people may receive approval faster.
