Are you a qualified engineer, experienced healthcare professional, technology specialist, construction professional or skilled career builder looking for an opportunity to earn NZD $100,000 or more per year in New Zealand in 2026?

New Zealand continues to recruit qualified international workers across healthcare, engineering, construction, technology and other specialist occupations. For many overseas applicants, the main employer-supported work route is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), while qualifying workers may also have access to residence through the Green List Straight to Residence, Work to Residence, or Skilled Migrant Category pathways.

However, an important distinction needs to be made immediately: a NZD $100,000 salary does not automatically qualify someone for a visa or permanent residence. Eligibility depends on the occupation, employer accreditation, qualifications, registration requirements, pay rate, work experience and the immigration pathway being used.

As of September 2026, New Zealand has also introduced significant changes to its Skilled Migrant Category, including new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways that took effect on 24 August 2026.

This guide explains high-paying New Zealand jobs, how AEWV employer support works, which Green List occupations can provide faster residence opportunities, salary expectations and how international applicants can improve their chances of securing legitimate employment.

New Zealand Visa Sponsorship Jobs 2026: Quick Overview

CATEGORY	2026 INFORMATION	KEY POINT
Main Employer-Supported Visa	Accredited Employer Work Visa	Requires an accredited employer
Minimum Work Hours	30 hours per week	Employment must be full-time
AEWV Duration	Up to 5 years	Depends on job and skill level
AEWV Application Cost	From NZD $1,540	Applicant visa fee
AEWV Processing	80% within about 7 weeks	Processing times can change
Green List Tier 1	Straight to Residence	No 2-year work requirement if eligible
Green List Tier 2	Work to Residence	Usually requires 24 months eligible NZ work
SMC	Multiple residence pathways	Qualification, registration, income or work experience may count
Immigration Median Wage	NZD $35/hour	Used for various residence/family thresholds
General AEWV Median Wage Requirement	Removed	Market-rate pay rules still apply

Immigration New Zealand confirms that an AEWV requires a full-time job offer of at least 30 hours a week from an accredited employer with an approved job check. The visa can be granted for up to five years depending on the role.

What Does “Visa Sponsorship” Mean in New Zealand?

People searching online frequently use phrases such as “New Zealand visa sponsorship jobs”, but New Zealand's system is somewhat different from traditional sponsorship arrangements in some countries.

Under the AEWV system, the employer generally needs to:

Hold valid AEWV accreditation.
Have an approved job check for the position.
Offer the migrant eligible full-time employment.
Give the worker the documents and unique application link required to apply for the visa.

The worker then submits their own visa application.

An accredited employer therefore does not simply “give” an applicant a visa. Immigration New Zealand still assesses the worker's eligibility and makes the final decision.

You can verify whether an employer is accredited through Immigration New Zealand's accredited employer search. The database is updated regularly, although some accredited businesses may choose not to appear publicly.

High-Paying $100,000+ Jobs in New Zealand in 2026

There are numerous professional occupations where experienced workers can potentially earn six-figure salaries.

Actual pay depends on location, seniority, specialist knowledge, professional registration, employer, industry and employment conditions.

JOB / CAREER	INDICATIVE SALARY POTENTIAL	VISA / RESIDENCE RELEVANCE
General Practitioner	NZD $133,000 – $267,000+	Green List Tier 1
Medical Specialist / Surgeon	Commonly $100,000+	Many roles Tier 1
Software Engineer	Around $115,000 typical in some salary data	Tier 1 if Green List pay requirements met
Cybersecurity / ICT Security Specialist	Often $100,000+ at senior level	Tier 1 subject to Green List requirements
Civil Engineer	Around $90,000 – $110,000+, senior roles higher	Green List Tier 1
Geotechnical Engineer	Around $100,000+ in many senior roles	Green List Tier 1
Construction Project Manager	Around $100,000 – $140,000+	Green List Tier 1 if requirements met
Quantity Surveyor	Around $76,000 – $145,000+, potentially higher	Green List Tier 1
Veterinarian	Around $92,000 – $163,000	Green List Tier 1
IT / Technology Manager	Often $100,000+ at experienced level	AEWV / possible SMC
Actuary	Around $140,000 – $180,000 for experienced professionals	AEWV / SMC
Engineering Project Manager	Frequently $100,000+	Depends on occupational classification
Technical Lead	Around $150,000 in some advertised-market data	AEWV / Green List may apply depending on occupation
Data / Enterprise Architect	Often well above $100,000	AEWV / possible Green List classification

Careers New Zealand reports general practitioners commonly earning approximately NZD $133,000–$267,000, quantity surveyors around NZD $76,000–$145,000, and veterinarians around NZD $92,000–$163,000. Experienced actuaries may earn approximately NZD $140,000–$180,000.

Current SEEK salary information also shows software engineering, civil engineering and project-management roles frequently entering six-figure territory. For example, its 2026 civil-engineering data showed averages above NZD $100,000 in several locations, while a software-engineer industry estimate at ANZ was approximately NZD $114,000–$145,000.

These figures are guides rather than guaranteed salaries.

1. General Practitioners and Medical Specialists

Healthcare remains one of the strongest areas for highly qualified migrants.

General practitioners, psychiatrists, surgeons, anaesthetists, radiologists and numerous other medical occupations appear within New Zealand's Green List framework.

General practitioners typically require appropriate registration or eligibility for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand. The Green List currently includes general practitioners and numerous specialist medical roles within its Tier 1 occupations.

Why this career is attractive

Experienced doctors can benefit from:

Six-figure salaries
Opportunities outside major cities
Strong demand for qualified medical professionals
A potential Straight to Residence pathway
Long-term professional development

A qualified applicant must still satisfy New Zealand's medical-registration requirements. Overseas medical qualifications are not automatically accepted simply because the applicant has extensive experience.

2. Software Engineers and Senior Technology Professionals

New Zealand's technology industry creates opportunities in:

Software engineering
Cloud infrastructure
Cybersecurity
Data engineering
DevOps
Artificial intelligence
Enterprise architecture
Software development
Technology leadership

SEEK salary information has placed software-engineering salaries around NZD $115,000 for typical roles, while senior specialists and technical leads may earn substantially more depending on employer and expertise.

However, applicants should pay close attention to Green List salary thresholds.

Current Green List instructions list occupations including Software Engineer, Developer Programmer, ICT Project Manager and ICT Security Specialist under Tier 1, but these ICT occupations carry remuneration requirements. The current threshold shown for this group is NZD $72.80 per hour or above for qualifying employment.

This means earning more than NZD $100,000 does not necessarily make a software professional eligible for Straight to Residence.

The job must meet the specific Green List requirements applicable to that occupation.

3. Civil Engineers

Civil engineering is another attractive career for skilled migrants.

New Zealand needs professionals involved in:

Transport infrastructure
Roads
Bridges
Water systems
Land development
Structural projects
Public infrastructure
Environmental engineering

Careers New Zealand lists typical civil-engineer earnings around NZD $90,000–$110,000, with team leaders and managers potentially earning more. SEEK's more recent 2026 location data showed averages exceeding NZD $100,000 in several regions.

The current Green List includes:

Civil Engineer
Structural Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Chemical Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Production or Plant Engineer

Eligible applicants need to satisfy the relevant engineering qualification or professional-registration requirements.

For qualified engineers who satisfy the Tier 1 requirements, this can make New Zealand particularly attractive because the residence pathway may be considerably faster than pathways requiring years of local work experience.

4. Construction Project Managers

Experienced construction managers can earn substantial salaries, particularly on large commercial, infrastructure and civil projects.

Recent advertised roles have included salaries around:

NZD $100,000–$130,000
NZD $120,000–$140,000
Higher packages for senior roles

Construction Project Manager is currently included in Tier 1 of the Green List, subject to meeting specified qualification requirements.

Relevant qualifications may include recognised construction, engineering or construction-management credentials.

Do not assume that having “project manager” in your job title is enough. Immigration New Zealand examines whether the duties, occupational classification and qualifications actually correspond with the eligible occupation.

5. Quantity Surveyors

Quantity surveyors manage construction costs, budgets, procurement and financial planning for building and infrastructure projects.

Careers New Zealand reports usual earnings of approximately NZD $76,000–$145,000, with some professionals earning up to around NZD $184,000.

Experienced commercial quantity surveyors can therefore move comfortably above the NZD $100,000 level.

Quantity Surveyor is also currently listed in Tier 1 of the Green List, provided the applicant satisfies recognised qualification or professional-membership requirements.

6. Veterinarians

Veterinarians can also be attractive candidates for New Zealand relocation.

Careers New Zealand places normal veterinarian earnings at approximately NZD $92,000–$163,000, with higher earnings possible in some circumstances.

Veterinarian is a Tier 1 Green List occupation.

Applicants generally need registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand and an acceptable veterinary qualification.

Understanding the Accredited Employer Work Visa in 2026

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is the principal temporary employer-supported work route for many migrants.

An AEWV can allow an overseas worker to work in New Zealand for the accredited employer specified by the visa.

Core AEWV requirements

You generally need:

A genuine full-time job offer
An accredited New Zealand employer
An approved employer job check
At least 30 hours of work each week
Required qualifications, skills or experience
Occupational registration where necessary
Health and character compliance
English-language evidence for certain skill-level 3–5 jobs

Immigration New Zealand states that applicants must also meet the skill and qualification requirements relevant to their occupation.

AEWV Minimum Skill Requirements

The skills rules were relaxed in 2025.

Current Immigration New Zealand guidance says an AEWV applicant generally meets the visa's minimum skill requirement if at least one of the following applies:

The role is on the Green List and the applicant meets the Green List requirements;
The job pays at least NZD $70 per hour;
The applicant has at least two years of relevant work experience; or
The applicant has a relevant NZQCF Level 4 or higher qualification.

The employer can still impose additional qualification and experience requirements for the particular vacancy.

Does AEWV Still Have a Median Wage Requirement?

Not generally.

From 10 March 2025, New Zealand removed the general median-wage requirement from the AEWV.

Employers must instead pay workers at least the applicable New Zealand market rate and comply with employment law.

The change did not eliminate immigration wage thresholds entirely. Median-wage-based thresholds still apply to several other settings, including Green List residence requirements, Skilled Migrant Category eligibility and some family-visa settings.

From 9 March 2026, the immigration median wage used for relevant thresholds increased to:

NZD $35.00 per hour.

Therefore, applicants should never assume that the AEWV wage rules and residence wage rules are identical.

The Fastest Residence Pathway: Green List Tier 1 Straight to Residence

For an eligible skilled professional, Straight to Residence can be one of the most direct skilled-residence pathways available.

To qualify, an applicant generally needs:

A Tier 1 Green List occupation
A qualifying job or job offer
An accredited employer
Required salary
Relevant qualification or registration requirements
English-language requirements
Health and character requirements
To be aged 55 or younger

Immigration New Zealand states that successful applicants can live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely and may include an eligible partner and dependent children.

Current published processing information says 80% of Straight to Residence applications are processed within approximately three months, although actual times can change.

Important distinction: Residence vs Permanent Residence

A Straight to Residence Visa is already a resident visa.

It is not the same as a Permanent Resident Visa.

After holding the resident visa for two years and meeting the applicable requirements, a person may become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa with indefinite travel conditions.

This distinction is frequently misunderstood in online articles.

Green List Tier 2 – Work to Residence

Tier 2 occupations follow a different process.

Applicants generally need to complete 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand in the qualifying Green List Tier 2 occupation before applying for a Work to Residence Visa.

Immigration New Zealand specifies that the 24 months generally need to fall within the 30 months immediately before the residence application.

Examples of Tier 2 occupations currently include certain:

Construction supervisors
Specialist teaching roles
Technical occupations
Trade-related positions

Applicants must satisfy any salary, qualification and registration requirements that apply to their occupation.

Skilled Migrant Category Residence in 2026

New Zealand significantly updated its Skilled Migrant Category on 24 August 2026.

There are now three important SMC pathways.

1. Points-Based Pathway

Applicants generally need six skilled resident points.

Points can come from one primary skill category:

Qualification
Occupational registration
Income

Additional points may be obtained from qualifying skilled New Zealand work experience where required.

For income-based points, current thresholds include:

1.5 times the SMC wage threshold for 3 points
2 times the threshold for 4 points
3 times the threshold for 6 points

For example, current Immigration New Zealand information shows the six-point income threshold at NZD $105 per hour.

Again, this demonstrates why an annual salary above NZD $100,000 does not automatically provide enough SMC points.

2. Skilled Work Experience Pathway

The new Skilled Work Experience pathway is intended for experienced workers who developed their expertise primarily through their careers.

Applicants generally need:

At least five years of directly relevant work experience
At least two years of skilled work experience in New Zealand
An eligible skilled occupation
Required wage level
Other residence requirements

Immigration New Zealand introduced this pathway as part of the SMC changes effective August 24, 2026.

3. Trades and Technician Pathway

This route was designed for workers in specified eligible trade and technician occupations.

Applicants generally require:

An eligible trade or technician occupation
A relevant NZQCF Level 4 or higher qualification
At least four years of post-qualification experience
At least 18 months of qualifying skilled work experience in New Zealand

For overseas qualifications, an International Qualification Assessment may be required.

This pathway can be particularly relevant to skilled technical workers who previously found qualification-based SMC pathways difficult to access.

Which Residence Pathway Is Fastest?

The answer depends on your occupation.

YOUR SITUATION	POTENTIAL PATHWAY	GENERAL TIMING
Green List Tier 1 professional	Straight to Residence	Can apply without a 2-year NZ work requirement
Green List Tier 2 professional	Work to Residence	After 24 months qualifying NZ work
Strong qualification / registration / income	SMC Points-Based	Depends on points and eligibility
Experienced skilled professional	Skilled Work Experience SMC	Requires NZ skilled work component
Eligible trade / technician	Trades & Technician SMC	Requires 18 months NZ skilled work
Skilled worker without immediate residence eligibility	AEWV first	May later transition to residence

For applicants who already satisfy all Green List Tier 1 requirements, Straight to Residence is generally the most direct route among these skilled residence options.

But not every high-paying occupation is on Tier 1.

Can a NZD $100,000 Salary Get You Residence?

Not by itself.

Consider a worker earning NZD $105,000.

That salary may be excellent from an employment perspective, but immigration eligibility could still depend on:

The employee's hourly wage
Contracted hours
ANZSCO occupation
Green List status
Qualification
Registration
Employer accreditation
Previous New Zealand work experience
SMC points

Immigration New Zealand calculates many salary thresholds using hourly remuneration, not simply the annual headline salary.

Applicants should therefore examine the employment agreement carefully.

Can Your Partner and Children Come to New Zealand?

Family rights depend on the worker's occupation, salary and visa circumstances.

In 2026, various partner-support thresholds are linked to the NZD $35 immigration median wage.

For example, Immigration New Zealand's current rules provide partner-work-visa eligibility in several situations, including eligible skill-level 1–3 workers earning at least NZD $28 per hour, certain Green List workers earning at least NZD $35 per hour, and some workers in other roles earning at least NZD $52.50 per hour. Additional requirements apply.

Residence visas such as Straight to Residence and Work to Residence can also allow qualifying partners and dependent children to be included in the application.

Do not assume that every AEWV automatically provides open work rights to a spouse.

Documents International Applicants May Need

Depending on your occupation and visa route, prepare documents such as:

Valid passport
Updated CV
Employment references
Employment certificates
University degrees
Academic transcripts
Professional licences
Occupational registration
NZQA qualification assessment
Police certificates
Medical examination results
English-language evidence where applicable
Employment agreement
Formal job offer
Job description
Employer AEWV application link

For regulated occupations, completing professional registration early can significantly improve your job search.

How to Find Accredited Employers Offering Jobs

Step 1: Identify Your Correct Occupation

Determine the occupation that genuinely matches your qualifications and daily work duties.

Do not select an occupation simply because it has better immigration benefits.

Step 2: Check the Green List

Search the current Immigration New Zealand Green List.

Determine:

Tier 1 or Tier 2
Required qualification
Professional registration
Minimum remuneration
Occupational requirements

The Green List is updated, so use the current official version rather than relying on old social-media screenshots.

Step 3: Verify Employer Accreditation

Before relying on a claim of “visa sponsorship,” check the employer through Immigration New Zealand's accredited-employer search.

Step 4: Search Major Job Platforms

Useful places to investigate vacancies include:

SEEK New Zealand
Trade Me Jobs
Employer career websites
Healthcare recruitment portals
Engineering recruitment companies
Professional associations
Public-sector career portals

Useful searches include:

Software Engineer Visa Sponsorship New Zealand

Accredited Employer Jobs New Zealand

Civil Engineer AEWV New Zealand

Registered Nurse Accredited Employer New Zealand

Quantity Surveyor Visa Sponsorship New Zealand

Green List Jobs New Zealand

Step 5: Tailor Your CV

Avoid sending exactly the same generic CV to hundreds of employers.

Include:

Technical skills
Professional registration
Qualifications
Major achievements
Projects completed
Team size managed
Financial value of projects
Specialist software
Certifications
International experience

If your occupation is on the Green List, make it clear that you understand the applicable qualification or registration requirements.

How the AEWV Application Process Works

Step 1: Find an Accredited Employer

Your employer must have appropriate accreditation.

Step 2: Receive a Genuine Job Offer

The offer must generally be for at least 30 hours per week.

Step 3: Employer Completes the Job Check

The employer normally needs an approved job check before hiring the migrant.

Some jobs may be exempt from advertising requirements, including qualifying Green List employment and jobs paying at least NZD $70 per hour.

Step 4: Receive Your AEWV Application Link

The employer supplies the required job documents and unique application link.

Step 5: Submit Your Visa Application

Provide your personal information and supporting documents.

Step 6: Complete Health or Character Requirements

Medical certificates, chest X-rays or police certificates may be required depending on your circumstances.

Step 7: Receive a Decision

Current official guidance states that 80% of AEWV applications are processed within approximately seven weeks, but applicants should always check current processing times before making travel plans.

Warning: Avoid Fake New Zealand Job Sponsorship Offers

International job seekers should be cautious about anyone promising:

Guaranteed New Zealand visas
Guaranteed permanent residence
Guaranteed Green List approval
Employment without interviews or qualification checks
Jobs requiring payment to “buy” sponsorship
Visas sold directly by employers
Fake job-check documents
Employment contracts requiring large upfront payments

A genuine employer's accreditation can be checked through Immigration New Zealand.

A high salary written into a suspicious contract does not make the job genuine.

Immigration New Zealand has also strengthened residence rules around genuine employment, including requirements that relevant job offers be available, ongoing and based on a genuine need for the work to be performed in New Zealand.

Why New Zealand Employers Recruit International Professionals

Accredited employers may recruit internationally when they need skills that are difficult to source locally.

This can particularly affect:

Healthcare
Engineering
Infrastructure
Construction
Veterinary services
Technology
Specialist technical occupations

International professionals can improve their chances by demonstrating skills that are difficult to replace.

For example, rather than simply describing yourself as a “software developer,” highlight expertise in cloud architecture, cybersecurity, machine learning, enterprise integration or another relevant specialisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn NZD $100,000 in New Zealand as an immigrant?

Yes. Many experienced professionals in medicine, technology, engineering, construction, finance and specialist occupations can earn NZD $100,000 or more. Salary depends on experience, employer, occupation and location.

Does earning $100,000 qualify me for New Zealand residency?

No. Salary alone does not guarantee residence. Your occupation, hourly pay, qualifications, registration, employer, New Zealand work experience and chosen residence category all matter.

Is the AEWV a permanent residence visa?

No. The AEWV is a temporary work visa tied to qualifying employment. It may, however, allow workers to gain experience needed for certain residence pathways.

Can an AEWV lead to permanent residency?

Potentially. An AEWV holder may later qualify for Straight to Residence, Work to Residence, the Skilled Migrant Category or another residence category if they satisfy its requirements.

What is the fastest skilled residence pathway in New Zealand?

For an applicant who qualifies for a Green List Tier 1 occupation, Straight to Residence can be one of the most direct routes because it does not generally require the two years of New Zealand work required under Tier 2 Work to Residence.

Do Green List Tier 2 workers get residence automatically after two years?

No. Two years of eligible work does not automatically grant residence. The worker must apply for a Work to Residence Visa and meet all requirements, including occupational, wage, health, character and other conditions.

Do I need IELTS for an AEWV?

Not every AEWV applicant requires an English-language test. Immigration New Zealand currently requires English evidence for certain skill-level 3–5 jobs, while skill-level 1 and 2 AEWV roles generally do not have that AEWV English requirement. Other visas and professional-registration bodies may impose separate English requirements.

Can I apply for a New Zealand job from overseas?

Yes. Employers can recruit suitable candidates located overseas. You generally need to secure the appropriate job offer before applying for an AEWV.

Is Software Engineer on the Green List?

Yes, Software Engineer is currently included among Tier 1 ICT occupations, but it carries a significant remuneration requirement. As of the current Green List, the relevant group has a pay threshold of NZD $72.80 per hour.

Are nurses eligible for Straight to Residence?

Registered Nurse occupations are currently included within the Tier 1 Green List, subject to Nursing Council of New Zealand registration and applicable requirements.

Can I bring my family on an AEWV?

Potentially, but family visa eligibility depends on your occupation, skill level, salary and circumstances. Your partner and children normally apply for their own visas based on their relationship to you.

How do I know whether an employer really sponsors AEWV workers?

Use Immigration New Zealand's Accredited Employer List and verify the organisation's company name or New Zealand Business Number. You should also independently verify the vacancy and employer before submitting personal documents or money.

Final Thoughts

New Zealand offers attractive opportunities for highly skilled international professionals capable of earning NZD $100,000 or more annually, particularly in healthcare, engineering, construction and technology.

The most important factor, however, is not salary alone.

A successful immigration strategy begins by matching your actual occupation, qualifications, registration and remuneration with the correct visa or residence pathway.

For many workers, the journey may look like:

Accredited Employer Job Offer → AEWV → New Zealand Work Experience → Skilled Residence

For selected Green List Tier 1 professionals, it can potentially be considerably more direct:

Accredited Employer Job Offer → Straight to Residence

And following the Skilled Migrant Category changes that took effect on 24 August 2026, experienced professionals and eligible tradespeople now have additional residence options through the Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways.

Before applying, check the current Green List, confirm whether professional registration is required, verify that the employer is accredited and compare your qualifications against the exact Immigration New Zealand requirements.

Do not pay anyone for a supposedly guaranteed job, visa or permanent-residence approval.

The strongest candidates are those who combine valuable professional skills, verified experience, recognised qualifications and a genuine job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.

Thanks for reading: $100,000+ Salary Jobs in New Zealand with Visa Sponsorship 2026 – Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) & Fastest Residency Pathways

$100,000+ Salary Jobs in New Zealand with Visa Sponsorship 2026 – Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) & Fastest Residency Pathways