In brief
New Zealand is a small, prosperous, and structurally trade-dependent economy — approximately 5.2 million population, GDP around US$260 billion. Output is distributed across agriculture (the world's largest dairy exporter via Fonterra, also sheep and beef), tourism, forestry, tech and film production clusters (Wellington, Auckland), and a services economy anchored in the Auckland metropolitan region (representing roughly a third of national GDP). English and te reo Māori are both official languages; the formal relationship between the Crown and Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi is constitutionally foundational. New Zealand Sign Language is also recognised.
For international workers the primary route is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV, launched 2022), which consolidated the previous patchwork of talent and essential-skills work-visa categories. It requires employer accreditation, a specific job check, and meeting visa-applicant eligibility. The median-wage threshold drives most qualification tests — NZD 31.61/hour (gross) for most roles, with lower thresholds for shortage occupations. The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is New Zealand's points-based resident-visa programme, reformed in October 2023 to a 6-point qualification structure.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has undergone substantial operational turbulence through 2022–2024 — AEWV transitional issues, labour-market processing backlogs, and the National-led coalition government's (formed November 2023) review of several Labour-era settings. Policy direction since 2024 has tightened employer-accreditation verification and raised minimum salary thresholds for some pathways, while maintaining the broadly pro-skilled-migration stance that distinguishes New Zealand from some recent peer-country shifts. Cost-of-living is moderately high (Auckland housing is among the world's most expensive relative to income); provincial regions are materially cheaper.
Labour market
Labour market
Headline labour-market figures for New Zealand, drawn from national statistical offices and ILO-modelled estimates. Figures update as each source publishes new periods.
Unemployment
5.1%
% · 2025 · World Bank
Youth unemployment
14.4%
% ages 15-24 · 2025 · World Bank
Employment-to-population
66.8%
% ages 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Labour-force participation
70.5%
% ages 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Female participation
66.5%
% females 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Labour force
3,075,239
people · 2025 · World Bank
Definitions: employment-to-population ratio is the proportion of the working-age population (15+) that is employed. Labour-force participation rate is the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively job-seeking. Youth unemployment refers to the 15–24 cohort.
Source: World Bank Open Data (ILO-modelled estimates and national-account sources).
Demographics
Demographics
New Zealand has a population of 5,287,500, of which 84% live in urban areas. People aged 65 and over make up 17.2% of the population against a fertility rate of 1.57 births per woman — well below the 2.1 replacement rate.
5,287,500World Bank · 2024Population
83.9%World Bank · 2024Urban share
17.2%World Bank · 2024Aged 65+
82.0 yrsWorld Bank · 2024Life expectancy
1.57World Bank · 2024Fertility rate
Official languages are English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language. The country's demographic profile, like most of western Europe, is aging — the 65-plus share is roughly double what it was in the 1970s and still climbing. Net migration is the main source of population growth.
Sources: World Bank Open Data ↗ · UN Population Division ↗
Sources: World Bank Open Data · United Nations Population Division · national statistical office.
Visa & immigration
Visa & immigration
Not legal advice. Every figure below links to its official government source. Rules change; verify the specific threshold, processing time, and eligibility for your case before applying.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Skilled workers sponsored by INZ-accredited employers.
€65,750 minimum salary threshold · 60 months initial · path to permanent · 6–24 weeks processing
The primary temporary work visa since 2022. Three-step process: employer accreditation, job check (labour-market test), applicant application. Standard duration up to 5 years. Salary threshold: at least the NZ median wage (NZD 31.61/hour, approximately NZD 65,750/year for full-time) for most roles; lower thresholds for roles on the Green List or specific sectoral agreements. Direct path to Skilled Migrant Category resident visa for qualifying applicants.
Requirements
- Employer accreditation with INZ
- Job check approval for specific role
- Salary at or above median wage (unless role has specific concession)
- Relevant qualifications or experience
- Health and character requirements
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
· share your experience
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Skilled workers seeking permanent residence through points-based selection.
No salary floor · 120 months initial · path to permanent · 20–52 weeks processing
New Zealand's points-based permanent-residence pathway, reformed October 2023 to a 6-point qualification structure. Applicants need 6 points from qualifications (or equivalent — trade certifications, income level) plus a skilled job or job offer (or 3 years of skilled NZ work experience). Reformed structure is materially simpler than the legacy scoring system; invitation rounds select applicants meeting the 6-point threshold.
Requirements
- 6 points from qualifications or income/experience pathway
- Skilled NZ employment or job offer (for most applicants)
- Age under 55
- Competent English
- Health and character
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
· share your experience
Green List — Straight to Residence
Highly-skilled workers in designated shortage occupations.
No salary floor · 120 months initial · path to permanent · 12–26 weeks processing
Direct residence pathway for approximately 90 designated Tier 1 shortage occupations (senior tech, healthcare, engineering roles). Applicants can apply for residence directly from overseas with a qualifying NZ job offer. Tier 2 Green List occupations (approximately 80 occupations) offer a 2-year Work to Residence pathway instead. Green List is reviewed periodically to reflect current labour-market shortages.
Requirements
- Occupation on Tier 1 Green List
- Qualifying NZ job offer meeting sector pay threshold
- Relevant registration/qualifications (e.g. APC for engineers)
- Age under 55
- Health and character
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
· share your experience
Entrepreneur Work Visa
Founders of businesses in New Zealand.
No salary floor · 36 months initial · path to permanent · 16–52 weeks processing
Temporary work visa for founders establishing or operating a business in New Zealand. Two stages: Start-up (up to 12 months) and Balance (up to 24 months, after business established). Points-based with minimum 120 points (capital investment, business-plan quality, experience, benefit to NZ). Minimum capital investment typically NZD 100,000 (approximately US$60k). Path to Entrepreneur Resident Visa after successful business operation.
Requirements
- Minimum NZD 100,000 capital investment
- Business plan with realistic projections
- Minimum 120 points on the entrepreneur-visa scoring system
- English language (IELTS 4.0+)
- Sufficient maintenance funds
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
· share your experience
Active Investor Plus Visa
High-net-worth investors committing to NZ-based investments.
No salary floor · 48 months initial · path to permanent · 12–52 weeks processing
Introduced September 2022 replacing the former Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories. Weighted investment framework — NZD 15M in direct investments or NZD 50M through acceptable passive investment categories. Reforms announced in 2024 (proposed lowered threshold to NZD 5M with weighted investment mix) are being implemented progressively. 4-year visa with residency achievable after meeting investment-management conditions.
Requirements
- Qualifying investment (NZD 15M+ in direct categories or NZD 50M+ in passive)
- Investment held in NZ for 4 years
- Acceptable source-of-funds
- Minimum physical presence in NZ during the qualifying period
- Health and character
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
· share your experience
Post Study Work Visa
International graduates of New Zealand qualifying programmes.
No salary floor · 24 months initial · 3–8 weeks processing
Open work visa for 1–3 years depending on qualification level, available to international students graduating from qualifying NZ programmes (level 7 bachelor's+). Graduates can work for any employer during the visa period. Typical transition path is to the AEWV or directly to SMC resident visa if criteria met. Reformed in 2022 alongside AEWV introduction; duration of visa now tied more tightly to level of qualification.
Requirements
- Completion of qualifying NZ programme (level 7+ bachelor's or higher)
- Application within 3 months of qualification completion
- Health and character
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
· share your experience
Primary sources cited per row; every figure links to the issuing authority.