If you’re an immigrant or thinking of moving to New Zealand, high-pay roles (around NZD 100,000+) are very much a possibility — especially in skilled professions. The country is undergoing immigration reform, expanding visa pathways, and updating its “Green List” of in-demand occupations. But there are nuances. Here’s what you need to know: what’s changing, which roles tend to hit the ~$100K mark, how visa sponsorship works, and how you can increase your chances.
🇳🇿 Immigration & Policy Changes You Should Know
Recent reforms make things a bit more flexible:
- From August 2026, there will be significant changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa. New pathways will allow skilled workers (levels 1–3) with enough experience, and trades/technicians with qualifications, to qualify for residency. (Immigration New Zealand)
- The Green List (occupations prioritized for Work to Residence or Straight to Residence visas) is expanding to include more trade roles like welders, metal fabricators, vehicle painters, and others. (Working In New Zealand Employer Services)
- Wage thresholds for visa-eligible roles are being adjusted. Some job offers must meet certain pay rates (often tied to the median wage + some premium). Roles on the Green List often have higher thresholds. (Immigration and Citizenship New Zealand)
These shifts are intended to help immigrants in skilled roles or certain trades find more stable, better-paid work, and potentially faster paths to residency.
💼 Common $100K+ Jobs / Industries in NZ for Immigrants
Here are sectors and roles that often pay NZD 100,000 or higher, especially when combined with overtime, bonuses, or seniority. These tend to come with better chances of visa sponsorship or eligibility for residence under the upcoming migration reforms.
| Sector | Roles That Hit NZD 100K+ | What Employers / Requirements Look Like |
|---|---|---|
| IT / Tech | Software Engineers, DevOps / Cloud Architects, Cybersecurity Specialists, Data Scientists | Solid experience (3-5+ years), sometimes senior level; job offers from accredited employers can help; roles on Green List make residence possible sooner. (iclegalnz.wixsite.com) |
| Engineering & Trades | Civil Engineers, Mechanical / Electrical Engineers, Project/Construction Managers, Skilled Trades like Welders, Metal Fabricators | Qualifications recognized, registration/licensing if required; roles that are on Green List get priority for residence pathways. (Working In New Zealand Employer Services) |
| Healthcare | Specialist Physicians, Surgeons, Senior Registered Nurses, Dentists, Physiotherapists | NZ registration, certifications, often prior overseas experience; roles often qualify under skilled occupation or skilled work visa paths. (The Portal) |
| Finance & Accounting | Financial Analysts, Chartered Accountants, Auditors, Senior Risk / Compliance roles | Qualifications like CA/CPA, experience, employer willing to sponsor; often demand in larger cities like Auckland, Wellington. (The Portal) |
| Aviation / Skilled Transport | Aircraft Engineers, Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers | Very specialized, often union or government regulated, good pay; vacancies are fewer but pay is high. (career.suresixstraightwin.com) |
🔍 Visa / Work Permit Options & Sponsorship
To land one of these roles, knowing which visas apply and what “sponsorship” means in NZ is crucial.
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): Employers must be accredited. Offers must pay market rate for the job. If you match these, a company can sponsor you. (Immigration New Zealand)
- Green List/Work to Residence / Straight to Residence visas: If your job is on the Green List, and you meet wage and skill requirements, you may qualify for residence more quickly. (Immigration and Citizenship New Zealand)
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa: Adjusted requirements from August 2026 will make this more accessible to skilled workers and trades with levels 1-3, given they meet experience + wage thresholds. (Immigration New Zealand)
💡 What You Need to Do to Position Yourself Favorably
If you want to get one of these NZD 100K+ roles with visa support, here are some practical tips:
- Build strong, relevant experience. Employers are more likely to sponsor if you show seniority, leadership, rare skills, or specialization.
- Make sure your qualifications are recognized. If you have a degree or trade certificate from overseas, check that NZ immigration or regulators accept them (sometimes an IQA or trade-qualification recognition is needed).
- Target Green List roles. Jobs on that list are prioritized and offer clearer paths to residence. If your occupation is included (or will be soon), you’re in a good spot. (Working In New Zealand Employer Services)
- Negotiate salary properly. To be eligible for some visa/residence pathways, your job may need to pay above certain thresholds (often above the median wage, sometimes significantly above for Green List or SMC).
- Look for accredited employers. Companies that are already known to hire immigrants or that are listed on official NZ government “accredited employer” registries.
- Stay up to date on policy changes. With changes coming in 2025-2026 (SMC reforms, wage criteria, new Green List additions), being aware of those shifts can help your timing.
⚠️ Realistic Challenges to Be Aware Of
- Even in high-paying roles, cost of living in NZ (especially Auckland or Wellington) is non-trivial: housing, transportation, and import costs add up.
- Some high-pay roles require local licensing or registration (medical boards, professional engineering registration, electrician licences, etc.), which can add lead time or costs.
- Employers sometimes prefer local or near-local candidates because familiarity, time zones, or regulatory reasons. Getting your resume and portfolio strongly NZ-oriented helps.
- The visa process can be slow, especially for residence categories, and documentation matters (proof of work experience, language ability, clean background, etc.).
✅ What’s Changing in 2026 (Good for Immigrants Who Plan Ahead)
- From mid-2026, new residence pathways under Skill Migrant Category will be live, offering more options for skilled workers and trades with relevant experience. (Immigration New Zealand)
- More trade roles are being admitted into the Green List, which is good news for those in welding, fabrication, and similar professions. (Working In New Zealand Employer Services)
🔭 Final Thoughts
NZD 100K+ jobs are absolutely possible for immigrants in New Zealand — especially in tech, healthcare, engineering, aviation, and finance. With the recent reforms, opportunities are expanding, and visa pathways are becoming more accessible (especially for Green List and skilled/trade roles).
If you’re someone with solid experience, recognized qualifications, and a willingness to meet licensing/training where needed, New Zealand could offer not just a job, but a pathway to permanent residence and a good quality of life.