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Skilled / residence pathway: process worksheet

A general, publicly available outline of how a skilled residence application usually works, from reading the published rules through to a decision. It is a worksheet you fill in for yourself; it does not assess your eligibility or tell you whether to apply.

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1. Step 1. Read the published rules for the category

   Find the residence category on the Immigration New Zealand website and read its published rules for who can apply. The published page is the authoritative source; this worksheet only helps you organise your own reading of it.

   Indicative phase: Preparation: at your own pace · Official source

2. Step 2. Add up your own points with the self-check tool

   Use the self-check tool to add up your own points against the published threshold. The result is your own total, not a decision about your eligibility.

   Indicative phase: Preparation: at your own pace · Open the tool

3. Step 3. Gather the documents on the published checklist

   Collect the categories of documents the published checklist describes (for example identity, qualifications, employment and character documents). Confirm the exact list for your category with Immigration New Zealand.

   Indicative phase: Preparation: at your own pace · Open the tool

4. Step 4. Arrange qualification or registration checks (if required)

   Some categories require your overseas qualifications to be assessed, or require registration in your profession or trade. Where the published rules require this, it is arranged with the relevant recognised body.

   Indicative phase: Time needed varies by assessing body · Official source

5. Step 5. Get health and character documents (if required)

   Where the published rules require them, applicants get medical certificates and police or character certificates that meet the published specification.

   Indicative phase: Time needed varies by provider and your country of residence · Official source

6. Step 6. Complete and submit the application

   Applications are submitted to Immigration New Zealand through the published channel for the category, with the required forms, evidence and fees.

   Indicative phase: A clear task once your evidence is ready · Official source

7. Step 7. Immigration New Zealand assesses the application

   Immigration New Zealand checks the application against its published rules and may ask for more information. Processing times vary by category and change over time.

   Indicative phase: See the INZ published processing times · Official source

8. Step 8. Receive the decision

   Immigration New Zealand tells you the outcome. Only Immigration New Zealand decides an application; this service plays no part in the decision.

   Indicative phase: See the INZ published processing times · Official source