Don't lose good workers to visa limitations

Supporting staff on their residence journey helps boost loyalty, stability, and long-term retention.

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Skilled workers wanting residence? Here's how you can help

You may have employees who are considering applying for residence in New Zealand. For some, the pathway is immediate. For others, it might require working here for two or more years before they can apply.

The Skilled Migrant categories include a points system or the Green List as avenues to apply for residence. Each has its own unique set of complexities to determine if a person and their family will qualify. Both involve specific criteria that need to be met, including English language ability, health checks, character requirements, and more.

The process isn’t always straightforward. But there is support available.

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Why residence matters – for them, and for you

Helping your staff navigate this process adds value to your business.
When workers become residents, they feel more grounded, settled, and able to build a life here. That leads to greater stability and long-term commitment to your team.

Benefits of residence for your workers include:

• Being able to buy a home
• Children gaining access to higher education
• Partners becoming eligible to work or study

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Practical ways to support your team

Employers can play a key role in helping staff take the next step:

• Contribute towards costs: Offer to fund or contribute towards residence application fees - government visa application fees are expensive
• Refer staff to Malcolm Pacific Immigration: We offer free residence eligibility assessments for employees seeking clarity on their options
• Host an on-site seminar: Our team can come to you and explain the process in plain terms during work hours
• Consider internal promotions: Workers in non-skilled roles may still qualify if promoted into a more senior position
  

Promotion into a skilled role can open the door to residence.

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A note on time limits

Most work visas come with a time limit to how long a person can remain working for you while holding a work visa. If your staff don’t see a clear path forward, they may begin to feel stuck or start looking elsewhere.

Supporting residence may protect the investment you have made in hiring staff from overseas.

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