Your pathway to Residence starts here
Whether you are already working in New Zealand, have a job offer, or are planning your future migration journey, understanding your options is an important step. Our team of Licensed Immigration Advisers can help you figure out your path, identify potential risks, and develop a strategy towards residence.
We specialise in Skilled Residence Pathways
Skilled Migrant Category
(6-Point System)
Green List
Straight to Residence
Green List
Work to Residence
Transport Sector
Residence Pathway
Care Workforce
Residence Pathway
Trades and Technicians
Pathway (from Aug. 2026)
Skilled Work Experience
Pathway (from Aug. 2026)
Step 1: Free 15-Minute Consultation
The purpose of the free 15-minute consultation is to briefly discuss your circumstances and identify whether you may have a potential pathway to residence in New Zealand.
During the consultation we will:
✅ Understand your circumstances and goals
✅ Discuss potential residence pathways
✅ Identify any obvious risks or concerns
✅ Explain the next steps
As the consultation is limited to 15 minutes, it is not intended to provide detailed immigration advice or assess eligibility for residence pathways.
If we believe you may have a potential pathway to residence, we will usually recommend a Residence Pre-Assessment. If we do not believe you have a pathway based on your current circumstances, we may offer to work with you to help you plan a potential pathway.
Step 2: Residence Pre-Assessment (NZD$400)
The Residence Pre-Assessment is designed to assess your potential eligibility for New Zealand’s skilled residence pathways and provide a clear strategy towards residence.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Potential residence pathways that may be available to you
✅ Qualification requirements
✅ Professional registration requirements (where applicable)
✅ Current remuneration and relevant wage thresholds
✅ Whether previous work experience meets residence requirements
✅ Estimated timeframes for residence eligibility
✅ Potential risks, concerns, or gaps in your circumstances
Following the assessment, you will receive written feedback outlining:
➡️ The residence pathways that may be available to you
➡️ Any risks or concerns identified
➡️ Recommended next steps
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 3: Skill Level Assessment (If Required) Additional Fee: NZD$400
For some occupations, particularly management roles and others where classification is complex, we may recommend a Skill Level Assessment alongside the Residence Pre-Assessment.
This assessment evaluates how Immigration New Zealand is likely to classify a role under ANZSCO or the National Occupation List (NOL), and determine its skill level. It is especially valuable where residence eligibility depends on occupation classification or skill level.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Duties and responsibilities performed in the role as described in the Position Description
✅ The structure of the organisation and reporting lines
✅ The scope and scale of the business operation
✅ Relevant ANZSCO and NOL occupations
✅ Any additional information obtained from discussions with you or your employer
You will receive a written report outlining:
➡️ The occupation(s) we considered
➡️ Our assessment of the most appropriate occupation classification
➡️ The reasons supporting that assessment, including reference to decisions of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal where relevant
➡️ Any risks or areas of uncertainty identified
➡️ Recommendations that may strengthen your position
A Skill Level Assessment is not required for all occupations. If we believe it would benefit your situation, we will discuss this with you during your Free 15-Minute Consultation or Residence Pre-Assessment.
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 4: Residence Application Preparation
If you decide to proceed with a residence application, VisaLegal can assist with preparing and lodging your application with Immigration New Zealand.
Our services typically include:
✅ Review of supporting documentation
✅ Advice regarding evidence requirements
✅ Preparation of submissions where required
✅ Communication with Immigration New Zealand
✅ Ongoing support throughout the application process
Professional fees vary depending on the complexity of the application and the residence pathway involved.
Any fees paid for a Residence Pre-Assessment and Skill Level Assessment will be credited towards our professional fees if you engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application.
What our clients say
Ready to take the next step?
Get in touch with one of our Licensed Immigration Advisers today!
Ruscelle Rintoul
LIA 202200516
Ruscelle has had a hand in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand. Her main area of practice is assisting Skilled Migrants to transition from Temporary Work Visa pathways to Residence, while working in partnership with employers to manage and support their migrant workforce.
Read more
Ruscelle has been part of the VisaLegal team since the company was founded in 2020. From the very beginning, she demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and a methodical, process-driven approach, combined with a calm and thoughtful manner.
This led to her promotion to Administration Team Leader within her first year, where she oversaw a team of six administration staff. Ruscelle then went on to complete the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice and become a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Over the years, Ruscelle has played a key role in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand and has personally guided many more to obtain temporary visas.
One of Ruscelle’s main areas of practice is advising skilled migrants on their transition from temporary work visa pathways to residence. She regularly assists skilled migrants to understand their residence options and develop a strategy towards residence in New Zealand. Ruscelle also assists clients to understand how upcoming immigration changes may affect their residence options and future eligibility.
Ruscelle also manages accreditation and work visa processes for some of VisaLegal’s largest employer clients, giving her a strong understanding of both the migrant and employer sides of the immigration system. Her experience working closely with employers allows her to develop practical solutions that align with both business requirements and immigration policy.
In addition to her work with skilled residence and employer-supported pathways, Ruscelle has assisted clients with a range of complex immigration matters, including requests for reconsideration, section 61 requests, character matters, and Immigration and Protection Tribunal appeals.
Ruscelle excels at managing complex applications involving large amounts of information and supporting documentation. Clients appreciate her ability to ensure applications are prepared thoroughly and accurately.
Ruscelle takes great pride in her Māori heritage and enjoys helping people from all backgrounds build successful lives in Aotearoa. She is passionate about supporting migrants throughout their immigration journey and is committed to helping her clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
Ruscelle Rintoul
LIA 202200516
Ruscelle has had a hand in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand. Her main area of practice is assisting Skilled Migrants to transition from Temporary Work Visa pathways to Residence, while working in partnership with employers to manage and support their migrant workforce.
Read more
Ruscelle has been part of the VisaLegal team since the company was founded in 2020. From the very beginning, she demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and a methodical, process-driven approach, combined with a calm and thoughtful manner.
This led to her promotion to Administration Team Leader within her first year, where she oversaw a team of six administration staff. Ruscelle then went on to complete the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice and become a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Over the years, Ruscelle has played a key role in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand and has personally guided many more to obtain temporary visas.
One of Ruscelle’s main areas of practice is advising skilled migrants on their transition from temporary work visa pathways to residence. She regularly assists skilled migrants to understand their residence options and develop a strategy towards residence in New Zealand. Ruscelle also assists clients to understand how upcoming immigration changes may affect their residence options and future eligibility.
Ruscelle also manages accreditation and work visa processes for some of VisaLegal’s largest employer clients, giving her a strong understanding of both the migrant and employer sides of the immigration system. Her experience working closely with employers allows her to develop practical solutions that align with both business requirements and immigration policy.
In addition to her work with skilled residence and employer-supported pathways, Ruscelle has assisted clients with a range of complex immigration matters, including requests for reconsideration, section 61 requests, character matters, and Immigration and Protection Tribunal appeals.
Ruscelle excels at managing complex applications involving large amounts of information and supporting documentation. Clients appreciate her ability to ensure applications are prepared thoroughly and accurately.
Ruscelle takes great pride in her Māori heritage and enjoys helping people from all backgrounds build successful lives in Aotearoa. She is passionate about supporting migrants throughout their immigration journey and is committed to helping her clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
Ruscelle Rintoul
LIA 202200516
Ruscelle has had a hand in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand. Her main area of practice is assisting Skilled Migrants to transition from Temporary Work Visa pathways to Residence, while working in partnership with employers to manage and support their migrant workforce.
Read more
Ruscelle has been part of the VisaLegal team since the company was founded in 2020. From the very beginning, she demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and a methodical, process-driven approach, combined with a calm and thoughtful manner.
This led to her promotion to Administration Team Leader within her first year, where she oversaw a team of six administration staff. Ruscelle then went on to complete the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice and become a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Over the years, Ruscelle has played a key role in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand and has personally guided many more to obtain temporary visas.
One of Ruscelle’s main areas of practice is advising skilled migrants on their transition from temporary work visa pathways to residence. She regularly assists skilled migrants to understand their residence options and develop a strategy towards residence in New Zealand. Ruscelle also assists clients to understand how upcoming immigration changes may affect their residence options and future eligibility.
Ruscelle also manages accreditation and work visa processes for some of VisaLegal’s largest employer clients, giving her a strong understanding of both the migrant and employer sides of the immigration system. Her experience working closely with employers allows her to develop practical solutions that align with both business requirements and immigration policy.
In addition to her work with skilled residence and employer-supported pathways, Ruscelle has assisted clients with a range of complex immigration matters, including requests for reconsideration, section 61 requests, character matters, and Immigration and Protection Tribunal appeals.
Ruscelle excels at managing complex applications involving large amounts of information and supporting documentation. Clients appreciate her ability to ensure applications are prepared thoroughly and accurately.
Ruscelle takes great pride in her Māori heritage and enjoys helping people from all backgrounds build successful lives in Aotearoa. She is passionate about supporting migrants throughout their immigration journey and is committed to helping her clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
Ruscelle Rintoul
LIA 202200516
Ruscelle has had a hand in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand. Her main area of practice is assisting Skilled Migrants to transition from Temporary Work Visa pathways to Residence, while working in partnership with employers to manage and support their migrant workforce.
Read more
Ruscelle has been part of the VisaLegal team since the company was founded in 2020. From the very beginning, she demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and a methodical, process-driven approach, combined with a calm and thoughtful manner.
This led to her promotion to Administration Team Leader within her first year, where she oversaw a team of six administration staff. Ruscelle then went on to complete the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice and become a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Over the years, Ruscelle has played a key role in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand and has personally guided many more to obtain temporary visas.
One of Ruscelle’s main areas of practice is advising skilled migrants on their transition from temporary work visa pathways to residence. She regularly assists skilled migrants to understand their residence options and develop a strategy towards residence in New Zealand. Ruscelle also assists clients to understand how upcoming immigration changes may affect their residence options and future eligibility.
Ruscelle also manages accreditation and work visa processes for some of VisaLegal’s largest employer clients, giving her a strong understanding of both the migrant and employer sides of the immigration system. Her experience working closely with employers allows her to develop practical solutions that align with both business requirements and immigration policy.
In addition to her work with skilled residence and employer-supported pathways, Ruscelle has assisted clients with a range of complex immigration matters, including requests for reconsideration, section 61 requests, character matters, and Immigration and Protection Tribunal appeals.
Ruscelle excels at managing complex applications involving large amounts of information and supporting documentation. Clients appreciate her ability to ensure applications are prepared thoroughly and accurately.
Ruscelle takes great pride in her Māori heritage and enjoys helping people from all backgrounds build successful lives in Aotearoa. She is passionate about supporting migrants throughout their immigration journey and is committed to helping her clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
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