Am I directly eligible for permanent residency in New Zealand if I get a job there in mechanical engineering after completing my post-study work visa?
Yes, you are directly eligible for fast tracked residency if your job offer meets specific criteria, since mechanical engineering sits on the Green List Tier 1. You need an accredited employer, a full time role of 30 plus hours weekly, a qualifying salary, matching qualifications, and age 55 or under.
Yes, you are directly eligible for a fast tracked residency pathway once you secure a qualifying mechanical engineering job offer, since this role sits on New Zealand's Green List Tier 1 category. This route grants you access to the Straight to Residence Visa without years of prior work first.
Requirements For Direct Eligibility
| Requirement | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Employer | Must be an Accredited Employer |
| Job offer | Full time, at least 30 hours a week, permanent or 12 plus month contract |
| Salary | Must meet the role minimum or the Green List median wage baseline, currently NZD 35.00 per hour |
| Qualifications | Washington Accord accredited engineering degree or NZQF Level 7 plus with pathway to professional status |
| Age | 55 years old or younger at time of application |
Why This Counts As A Direct Pathway
Tier 2 Green List roles and the standard Skilled Migrant Category both make you wait and work in New Zealand for a set period first, but the Tier 1 Straight to Residence visa skips that waiting period entirely. As soon as an accredited employer makes you a qualifying offer, your residence application can go in right away, and after 2 continuous years on that visa you can move up to a Permanent Resident Visa.
My Advice
Confirm your prospective employer's accreditation status before you accept an offer, since that single detail decides whether you qualify for the direct pathway at all. Keep your engineering qualification documents and any required registration ready so you can move quickly once you have a matching job in hand.
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