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Software Engineers Moving to New Zealand: Green List Pay Rates and Other Rules

INZ's Green List names many ICT roles, including Software Engineer, Developer Programmer and Software Tester. INZ's published Straight to Residence wage table sets NZD 72.80 an hour for the category it calls ICT, electronics and telecommunications (208% of the 2025 median) from 9 March 2026, and NZD 109.20 for roles based on a contract for services. Whether a specific role is in that table is shown in INZ's Green List search.

People searching "software engineer visa New Zealand" are usually trying to answer one question first: how much does the job have to pay? INZ publishes unusually specific numbers for ICT roles, and they are higher than the figure for most Green List jobs. They are also easy to misread, because the rate depends on the visa, on whether the job is permanent employment or a contract for services, and on how pay is converted to an hourly figure.

This guide sets out what Immigration New Zealand (INZ) publishes, read on 10 October 2026. It describes the rules. It does not say whether any reader's job is on the Green List, which tier it is in, whether the pay meets a threshold or which visa a person could apply for. Applying rules to a particular person's facts is immigration advice, and in New Zealand only a licensed immigration adviser or a lawyer may give it.

All amounts are New Zealand dollars. Several change during the year, so each figure below carries INZ's own date.

Which ICT roles INZ's Green List names

The Green List search tool shows the tier and requirements for each role. The ICT-related role names in its filter on 10 October 2026 included:

  • Analyst Programmer;
  • Chief Information Officer;
  • Database Administrator;
  • Developer Programmer;
  • ICT Managers nec;
  • ICT Project Manager;
  • ICT Security Specialist;
  • Multimedia Specialist;
  • Software and Applications Programmers nec;
  • Software Engineer;
  • Software Tester;
  • Systems Administrator; and
  • Telecommunications Technician.

INZ explains the tiers: "Tier 1 jobs allow you to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa" and "Tier 2 jobs allow you to apply for a Work to Residence Visa." A name in the list does not show which tier applies. This guide therefore does not say which of these roles is Tier 1 or Tier 2. INZ's Green List page is the authority, and INZ says requirements for a role "can include needing to be paid a certain amount or have a specific registration, professional membership, or qualification."

The pay rates INZ publishes for Straight to Residence

INZ's work to residence wage rates page includes a table for the Straight to Residence Visa, headed "From 9 March 2026 (in NZD)". The rates relevant to ICT work are:

  • ICT, electronics and telecommunications: 208% of the 2025 median wage, NZD 72.80 an hour.
  • ICT, electronics and telecommunications roles based on contract for services: 312% of the 2025 median wage, NZD 109.20 an hour.
  • Database Administrator: 200%, NZD 70.00 an hour. Roles based on contract for services: 250%, NZD 87.50.
  • Systems Administrator: 200%, NZD 70.00 an hour. Roles based on contract for services: 250%, NZD 87.50.
  • Multimedia specialist: 165%, NZD 57.75 an hour. Roles based on contract for services: 247%, NZD 86.45.

The page also states the default for Green List jobs without a specific threshold: "Green List jobs that do not have a specific pay threshold must pay at least NZD $35.00 (the 2025 median wage)."

For the Work to Residence Visa, INZ's table of percentages of the median wage lists Telecommunications Technician at 115%. At the median of NZD 35.00 an hour in force from 9 March 2026, INZ's table converts that to NZD 40.25 an hour. For that visa the rate that counts is the one in place when the work experience started, which may be lower than today's rate. INZ's page sets out the previous medians (NZD 33.56 from 18 August 2025, NZD 31.61 from 28 February 2024, and so on) so that a reader can see the history.

Which of the categories above a specific job falls into is decided by INZ's Green List entry and by the job itself, not by a job title alone. Neither this guide nor an employer's advertisement can settle it.

Employees and contractors are treated differently

The two ICT rates in the table above reflect a distinction that matters for software work, where contracting is common.

INZ's Straight to Residence page says: "If your job will be based on a contract for services, you may have additional pay or skill requirements you need to meet." It adds that if a job "has a wage threshold for employment based on a contract for services", the applicant will need evidence showing: "you have 10 years of relevant experience, and" "you are paid at least the contract for services wage threshold."

Contract rates are higher in the table (312% against 208% for the ICT category). The page does not explain the policy reason, and this guide does not guess. The rule to take from it is that the same role can have two different pay tests depending on how the work is structured.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa works differently: INZ's visa page lists self-employment among the types of work the AEWV cannot be used for, which means a contractor who is their own business cannot use it for that work. The guide to the AEWV covers what the visa does allow.

INZ also says the employment must be with an accredited employer for the residence visas discussed here, and that the job must be permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months from the application date, or a contract or continuous contracts of at least 6 months. See the Straight to Residence guide for the full list.

Turning a salary into an hourly rate, the INZ way

Every published threshold above is hourly. INZ's median wage page tells applicants to use its hourly wage calculator. For the AEWV job check, INZ's pay-rate page sets out how it converts a salary to an hourly rate, with worked examples:

"John is paid NZD $53,040.00 each year for 40 hours of work a week. The calculation is: $53,040.00 ÷ 52 weeks ÷ 40 hours each week = $25.50 an hour."

For a salary covering a range of hours, INZ divides by the maximum number of hours: "Karen is paid NZD $59,670.00 a year for 40 to 45 hours of work a week. The calculation is: $59,670.00 ÷ 52 weeks ÷ 45 hours each week = $25.50 an hour."

Two points follow from INZ's text. First, longer hours lower the hourly figure for the same salary, which matters in roles where a contract states a range. Second, INZ says that for the job to meet the minimum pay threshold, "the average guaranteed pay for each hour of work within a pay period, including any paid leave, must be at or above that threshold." The worked examples are from the AEWV job check; the residence visas have their own pages, and the calculation for a particular job on a particular visa is something to confirm with INZ or a licensed adviser rather than assume.

The Skilled Migrant Category and income points

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is the third main route and has its own income test. On the points-based pathway INZ gives points for income measured against the SMC wage threshold, which was NZD 35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026:

  • at least 1.5 times the threshold: 3 points (NZD 52.50 an hour);
  • at least 2 times: 4 points (NZD 70.00 an hour); and
  • at least 3 times: 6 points (INZ's page states NZD 105.00 an hour).

INZ's rule is that the income points come from the current New Zealand job or job offer. If more points are needed from skilled work experience, the threshold that applies depends on when that experience started and falls within the eligible timeframe. A total of 6 points is needed, from one skill category plus work experience where permitted. The SMC points guide and the SMC wage threshold guide explain the mechanics.

On the Skilled Work Experience pathway INZ requires the job to be paid at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold (NZD 38.50 an hour at NZD 35.00), with the required experience described on INZ's SMC page. Qualification points depend on level: an international bachelor's degree is worth 4 points, a master's 5 and a doctoral degree 6, and INZ requires an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA unless the qualification is on its exempt list. INZ states that "Not all international qualifications need to be assessed, such as the Washington or Sydney Accord qualifications." Whether a particular degree is exempt is checked against INZ's list.

Accredited Employer Work Visa basics for ICT work

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is a temporary work visa, not a residence visa. INZ's page sets these conditions:

  • a full-time (30 hours or more) job offer from an accredited employer with an approved job check, paid at least the required pay rate;
  • at least 2 years of relevant job experience, or a qualification at NZQCF level 4 or higher, in the same field as the job, though a bachelor's degree or higher can be in any field; and
  • evidence that is independently verifiable: INZ says a CV or resume alone is not enough, and employment certificates should show positions, periods of employment and the employer's contact details.

INZ says no extra skill evidence is needed if the applicant is paid at least NZD 67.12 an hour (2 times the 2024 median wage), or if the job is on the Green List and the applicant provides evidence of meeting that job's Green List requirements.

The maximum continuous stay on AEWVs is 5 years for most jobs, or 3 years for ANZSCO or National Occupation List skill level 4 or 5. INZ's fee for the AEWV was NZD 1,540 on 10 October 2026, with 80% of applications completed within 5 weeks, and the same figure came back for passports from India, the Philippines and South Africa when checked. The employer's side has separate accreditation and job-check fees; see the guide to employer accreditation.

On English, residence applicants for skilled visas show it by citizenship, work and study in certain countries or by test. For a principal applicant INZ's minimums include IELTS 6.5 overall, TOEFL iBT 79 and PTE Academic 58. Partners and dependent children aged 16 or over have lower minimums or can buy lessons.

Working remotely from New Zealand, and scams

A separate question is working for an overseas employer while in New Zealand. INZ's Visitor Visa page says applicants must not plan to work in New Zealand "unless you work remotely for a business overseas". The page also says a visitor visa holder cannot work in New Zealand otherwise. INZ publishes a page on working remotely on a visitor visa, and that page, not this guide, defines what is allowed. It is not a route to residence.

For all visas, INZ's scam page applies. It says: "You are not required to use an adviser to apply for a visa," and "It is illegal to lie in order to qualify for a job or a visa." It also says an adviser who advises someone to lie is breaking the law. Job-offer fees are a scam sign: INZ states New Zealand employers or agents cannot charge fees for a job.

Questions about whether a role, an employer or a pay rate meets a test belong with a licensed immigration adviser or lawyer, who can read the contract and the Green List entry together. The guide to checking an adviser's licence explains how to confirm one.

Finding a licensed immigration adviser

Migratio lists licensed immigration advisers so you can compare them and contact one directly. Every listing shows the adviser's licence number, which you can check on the Immigration Advisers Authority's public register before you book. We don't assess cases and don't tell anyone which visa or pathway fits them; that is the adviser's job.

Questions people ask

What does INZ say ICT jobs must pay for Straight to Residence?

INZ's wage page shows NZD 72.80 an hour (208% of the 2025 median) for the ICT, electronics and telecommunications category, and NZD 109.20 an hour for roles based on a contract for services, from 9 March 2026. Database and Systems Administrators have their own rates.

Is Software Engineer a Tier 1 or Tier 2 role?

INZ's Green List names Software Engineer, but the tier and requirements appear only when a role is searched on INZ's Green List page. Check the entry on the day you decide.

Can a contractor use the Accredited Employer Work Visa?

INZ lists self-employment among the types of work the AEWV cannot be used for. Residence visas have separate rules for contract-for-services roles, including a 10-year experience requirement where a contract threshold applies.

How does INZ turn a yearly salary into an hourly rate?

For the AEWV job check, INZ divides the salary by 52 weeks and by the weekly hours, using the maximum hours if a range is stated. It publishes worked examples on its pay-rate page.

Can I work remotely for an overseas company on a visitor visa?

INZ's Visitor Visa page says applicants must not plan to work in New Zealand unless they work remotely for a business overseas. INZ's separate page on working remotely sets out the detail.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-10.

Related guides

  • Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1): How It Works — The Straight to Residence Visa is for people aged 55 or younger with a job or offer from an accredited employer in a Green List Tier 1 role, paid the role's specified rate or the median wage. INZ showed a fee of NZD 6,450 and 80% of applications completed within 3 months on 9 October 2026. The role list is searchable on INZ's site.
  • Work to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 2): How It Works — The Work to Residence Visa is for people aged 55 or younger who have worked 24 months in a Green List Tier 2 job in New Zealand within the 30 months before applying, and who hold or are offered a job with an accredited employer. INZ showed a fee of NZD 6,450 on 9 October 2026. The wage rate that counts is the one in force when the work experience started.
  • SMC Wage Threshold 2026: NZD 35 an Hour and the Rate History — From 9 March 2026 the Skilled Migrant Category wage threshold is NZD 35.00 an hour. INZ fixes the rate that applies to a person when their skilled work experience starts counting, and says that once set, it does not change. This guide sets out INZ's published rate history, multiples and worked examples as read on 9 October 2026.
  • SMC Points in NZ: How the 6-Point System Works — The Skilled Migrant Category points-based pathway needs 6 skilled resident points. INZ lets points come from one category only (qualification, occupational registration or income), topped up by up to 3 points of New Zealand skilled work experience. This guide sets out INZ's published tables as read on 9 October 2026.
  • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): The 2026 Rules — The Accredited Employer Work Visa is New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa. The job must be full-time (30+ hours), with an accredited employer holding an approved job check, and paid at least the required rate. INZ showed a fee of NZD 1,540 and 80% of applications within 5 weeks on 9 October 2026. The longest continuous stay is 5 years, or 3 years for skill level 4 or 5 jobs.
  • AEWV Employer Accreditation and Job Check: How They Work — To hire a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa, a New Zealand employer first gets accredited (NZD 775 standard, 1,280 high-volume), usually advertises the job, then pays NZD 735 for each job check. INZ's wait times page showed accreditation averaging 2 days and job checks about 2 days, with most done within 1 to 1.5 weeks.