New policies announced by the New Zealand government will enable primary teachers to apply for residency without the previous waiting period. Starting 26 March 2025, qualified primary teachers with a job offer can submit their applications through the Straight to Residence pathway. This update is intended to ease the shortage of teaching staff, particularly in areas such as Auckland and Northland.
Straight to Residence is a visa program offered by Immigration New Zealand for individuals who are employed in, or have secured a job offer from, an accredited employer in a role listed as Tier 1 on the Green List. This visa grants permanent residency, allowing holders to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely without a mandatory two-year work period.
Under the former system, educators had to complete a two-year period on the Work to Residence pathway before becoming eligible for permanent residency. The revised process removes that requirement, allowing teachers from overseas to secure residency as soon as they land a position.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford explained that the change aims to attract experienced educators who can support New Zealand’s classrooms and benefit students. This move follows last year’s adjustment for secondary school teachers, which brought 480 new teachers into the system, and saw around 1,170 applicants receive an Overseas Relocation Grant of up to $10,000.
New Zealand government has invested $53 million to broaden the School Onsite Training Programme, now assisting 1,200 aspiring teachers in gaining valuable classroom experience. This financial support, along with additional subsidies for teacher trainees, is part of a broader effort to strengthen the nation’s education sector.
As the new residency pathway opens, many primary teachers will now have a clearer route to making New Zealand their permanent home.
