Straight to Residence on a Green List Tier 1 contract for services

If you intend to rely on a contract for services for New Zealand’s Straight to Residence Visa, check whether your Tier 1 occupation has a contractor-specific pay threshold. Where it does, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of ten years of relevant experience and pay at or above that threshold. Check contract duration, full-time work and the other role requirements separately.

Check the contract type and dates

INZ lists permanent employment, fixed-term employment of at least 12 months from the application date, or a contract or continuous contracts of at least six months. If you intend to use several service contracts, record each start and end date. Two three-month contracts with a week between them need a separate continuity check. Keep any proposed renewal apart from the signed contracts until it is agreed, and confirm the actual start date.

Document the relevant experience

Where the ten-year requirement applies, make a timeline of relevant work with dates, duties, client or employer and available evidence. Contracts, employment records and project documents can help explain what you did. Mark any overlapping periods and match the actual work to the Green List occupation. Check registration or qualifications separately if the role requires them.

Check what the quoted fee covers

A contract may state a project fee without specifying the work hours or separating expenses. Ask the client to confirm the hours, payment schedule and what the fee includes. Keep the contract and payment records together. Where the fee includes materials or other costs, record those amounts separately before checking the applicable contractor pay threshold.

For a review with Premiervisa Group, have the Tier 1 occupation entry, signed contracts, work hours, pay evidence and experience timeline ready. See the Tier 1 job offer guide for the standard employment checks.

Policy checked on 6 November 2026. See Immigration New Zealand’s Straight to Residence Visa requirements for contractors.