Cybersecurity jobs in New Zealand with visa sponsorship can provide qualified international professionals with competitive salaries, employment with accredited organisations and a potential direct pathway to residence.
New Zealand’s official Tahatū career platform reports that Information Security Analysts can earn:
- Lower earnings: Approximately NZD $59,000
- Most common range: Approximately NZD $81,000 to NZD $157,000
- Upper earnings: Approximately NZD $210,000
The occupation includes job titles such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Cybersecurity Consultant, Cybersecurity Specialist, Security Consultant, Security Administrator, Database Security Expert and ICT Risk Specialist. These figures are before tax and do not guarantee that every international applicant will receive the upper amount.
The main immigration occupation is:
ICT Security Specialist — ANZSCO 262112
ICT Security Specialist is currently included in Tier 1 of New Zealand’s Green List. To use this occupation for the Straight to Residence pathway, ordinary employee remuneration must generally reach:
NZD $72.80 per hour
At 40 hours per week, this equals approximately:
NZD $151,424 per year
A contractor using a contract for services generally needs at least NZD $109.20 per hour and at least 10 years of relevant work experience.
This creates two different immigration possibilities:
- An applicant can obtain an Accredited Employer Work Visa at a salary below the Green List residence threshold, provided the employer, market rate, position and applicant satisfy the AEWV requirements.
- An applicant who meets the higher Green List salary requirement may be able to apply directly for residence through the Straight to Residence Visa.
An employment offer, AEWV, Green List eligibility and resident visa approval are separate outcomes.
Quick Overview
Occupation: ICT Security Specialist
ANZSCO code: 262112
ANZSCO skill level: Usually Skill Level 1
Main temporary work visa: Accredited Employer Work Visa
Employer requirement: Accredited employer with an approved job check
Minimum guaranteed employment: At least 30 hours per week
AEWV maximum stay: Usually up to five years for Skill Level 1 employment
AEWV application cost: From NZD $1,540
AEWV processing: 80% within approximately 7.5 weeks
General AEWV skills requirement: Two years of relevant experience or an NZQCF Level 4 or higher qualification
Formal AEWV English evidence for Skill Level 1: Normally not required
Official common salary range: NZD $81,000 to NZD $157,000
Official upper salary: Approximately NZD $210,000
Green List tier: Tier 1
Green List employee threshold: NZD $72.80 per hour
Annual equivalent at 40 hours: Approximately NZD $151,424
Contractor Green List threshold: NZD $109.20 per hour
Contractor annual equivalent at 40 hours: Approximately NZD $227,136
Contractor experience: Normally at least 10 years of relevant work
Straight to Residence age limit: 55 or younger
Straight to Residence cost: From NZD $6,450
Straight to Residence processing: 80% within approximately four months
Family inclusion under residence: Partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger
Permanent Resident Visa: Potentially after holding residence for two years
Permanent Resident Visa cost: From NZD $315
2027 position: Green List rates, visa fees and residence requirements must be checked again
Can Foreign Cybersecurity Professionals Get Visa Sponsorship in New Zealand?
Yes. Accredited New Zealand employers can recruit qualified overseas cybersecurity professionals through the Accredited Employer Work Visa system.
To qualify for an AEWV, the candidate normally needs:
- A genuine full-time offer from an accredited employer
- At least 30 guaranteed working hours per week
- A position covered by an approved employer job check
- Skills and experience matching the job
- Appropriate salary and working conditions
- Evidence satisfying the visa’s minimum skill requirements
- Good health and character
- A genuine reason for undertaking the employment
The AEWV can allow the employee to stay in New Zealand for up to five years, depending on the job, skill level, salary and previous AEWV history. The current application cost starts from NZD $1,540, with 80% of applications processed within approximately 7.5 weeks.
A typical recruitment and immigration process involves:
- The employer identifies a genuine cybersecurity vacancy.
- The company confirms that it holds AEWV accreditation.
- The employer obtains an approved job check.
- The role is classified under the correct occupation code.
- The employer interviews the international candidate.
- The company issues a formal employment agreement.
- The employer sends the candidate a unique AEWV application link.
- The candidate submits identity, experience and qualification evidence.
- Immigration New Zealand assesses the worker and the proposed employment.
- The applicant receives an eVisa if approved.
- The employee travels to New Zealand.
- The employee begins the approved job under the conditions stated on the visa.
An accredited employer cannot guarantee:
- AEWV approval
- Green List residence
- A security clearance
- A NZD $210,000 salary
- Permanent residence
- New Zealand citizenship
What Does Visa Sponsorship Mean in New Zealand?
New Zealand does not use the same type of sponsorship certificate as the United Kingdom.
In practice, employer visa sponsorship normally means that the organisation:
- Holds valid AEWV accreditation
- Has an approved job check
- Offers at least 30 hours of genuine employment per week
- Provides an employment agreement and job description
- Confirms the occupation code
- Pays an appropriate market salary
- Sends the candidate the official visa-application link
- Supplies employer and position evidence
- May pay or reimburse immigration expenses
- May provide relocation and family support
Immigration New Zealand makes the final decision.
The employer does not personally issue:
- The work visa
- The resident visa
- The Permanent Resident Visa
- Citizenship
New Zealand employers and recruitment agents cannot charge a migrant for a job or make the worker pay the employer’s recruitment costs. Immigration New Zealand can decline an application where it believes money was offered or promised in exchange for the employment offer.
ICT Security Specialist ANZSCO 262112
The principal immigration occupation for cybersecurity employment is:
ICT Security Specialist — ANZSCO 262112
Professionals in this occupation protect information systems, computer networks, applications, infrastructure and organisational data.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Assessing cybersecurity risks
- Designing security controls
- Monitoring systems and networks
- Investigating security events
- Responding to incidents
- Conducting vulnerability assessments
- Managing identity and access
- Reviewing cloud architecture
- Testing security controls
- Developing cybersecurity policies
- Advising business and technical teams
- Supporting security audits
- Improving incident-response procedures
- Monitoring threat intelligence
- Protecting sensitive information
The occupation is normally classified at ANZSCO Skill Level 1.
Common Cybersecurity Job Titles
Positions that may fit ICT Security Specialist include:
- Information Security Analyst
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Security Engineer
- Cloud Security Engineer
- Application Security Engineer
- Security Consultant
- Cybersecurity Consultant
- Security Operations Centre Analyst
- Incident Response Specialist
- Threat Intelligence Analyst
- Vulnerability Management Specialist
- Identity and Access Management Engineer
- Penetration Tester
- Security Architect
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist
- Security Automation Engineer
- Product Security Engineer
- DevSecOps Engineer
- ICT Risk Specialist
- Database Security Specialist
The job title alone does not determine immigration classification.
The responsibilities must substantially match ICT Security Specialist.
For example:
- A professional primarily building ordinary applications may fit Software Engineer or Developer Programmer.
- A person mainly administering servers may fit Systems Administrator.
- A professional focused on database management may fit Database Administrator.
- A manager primarily responsible for staff and budgets may fit an ICT management occupation.
- A physical security officer does not qualify as an ICT Security Specialist merely because the title contains the word “security.”
Cybersecurity Salary in New Zealand
The official Tahatū Information Security Analyst profile gives the following annual salary guide:
| Salary level | Annual earnings |
|---|---|
| Lower | Approximately NZD $59,000 |
| Most common | NZD $81,000 to NZD $157,000 |
| Upper | Approximately NZD $210,000 |
The amounts are gross earnings before income tax.
Salary depends on:
- Years of professional experience
- Technical specialisation
- Employer
- Location
- Industry
- Security-clearance requirements
- Management responsibilities
- On-call work
- Bonus
- Equity
- Contractor or employee status
Indicative Cybersecurity Salary Levels
Junior Cybersecurity Analyst
A junior professional may earn approximately:
NZD $59,000 to NZD $90,000 per year
Common responsibilities include:
- Reviewing security alerts
- Escalating suspicious events
- Supporting access reviews
- Running vulnerability scans
- Updating security documentation
- Assisting incident-response teams
- Monitoring endpoint tools
- Preparing reports
Junior positions are less likely to receive overseas visa support because employers may be able to recruit local graduates or candidates already authorised to work in New Zealand.
Intermediate Cybersecurity Specialist
An intermediate cybersecurity professional may earn:
NZD $90,000 to NZD $130,000 per year
Employers may expect experience in:
- Security information and event management
- Incident response
- Cloud security
- Vulnerability management
- Network security
- Identity and access management
- Security assessments
- Security policy implementation
This salary may be sufficient for an AEWV but can remain below the Tier 1 Green List residence threshold.
Senior Information Security Analyst
A senior professional may earn:
NZD $125,000 to NZD $170,000 per year
A 2026 New Zealand government Technology Security Specialist vacancy advertised NZD $139,920 to NZD $170,089 for a permanent Auckland or Wellington position.
Senior candidates may be expected to:
- Lead security assessments
- Advise technical teams
- Design controls
- Review architecture
- Manage complex incidents
- Support risk decisions
- Mentor other professionals
- Communicate with senior stakeholders
Security Consultant
Experienced Security Consultants may earn approximately:
NZD $120,000 to NZD $200,000 per year
Government career information has also indicated that Security Managers and Chief Security Officers can earn substantially more, although management pay varies significantly according to organisation size and responsibilities.
Security Architect
A Security Architect may earn:
NZD $145,000 to NZD $200,000 or more
Responsibilities can include:
- Enterprise security architecture
- Cloud-security design
- Identity architecture
- Network segmentation
- Zero-trust programmes
- Encryption standards
- Security patterns
- Technical governance
- Executive advice
Chief Information Security Officer
A CISO or senior security executive may exceed:
NZD $200,000 per year
These roles typically involve:
- Organisation-wide security strategy
- Budget responsibility
- Board reporting
- Regulatory obligations
- Incident command
- Risk acceptance
- Team leadership
- Third-party risk
- Business continuity
A primarily executive role may need an ICT management occupation rather than ICT Security Specialist.
Salary Versus Total Compensation
A New Zealand cybersecurity package may include:
- Base salary
- KiwiSaver employer contribution
- Performance bonus
- Signing bonus
- Equity
- Private health insurance
- Training budget
- Certification reimbursement
- Relocation allowance
- On-call allowance
- Additional leave
The immigration assessment generally focuses on the qualifying remuneration stated in the employment agreement.
Applicants should not assume that all of the following count toward a Green List threshold:
- Discretionary bonus
- Unvested shares
- Stock-option estimates
- Employer KiwiSaver contributions
- Equipment
- Flights
- Temporary accommodation
- Non-cash benefits
- Reimbursed expenses
The employment agreement should clearly separate:
- Guaranteed gross salary
- Ordinary weekly working hours
- Guaranteed allowances
- Variable compensation
- Employer retirement contributions
- Non-cash benefits
Green List Tier 1 Eligibility
ICT Security Specialist is included among the Tier 1 ICT occupations providing access to the Straight to Residence Visa.
The required employee remuneration is:
NZD $72.80 per hour
The rate must be met by the qualifying employment or job offer.
At different weekly working hours, the annual equivalent is approximately:
| Weekly hours | Annual salary equivalent |
|---|---|
| 30 hours | NZD $113,568 |
| 35 hours | NZD $132,496 |
| 37.5 hours | NZD $141,960 |
| 40 hours | NZD $151,424 |
| 45 hours | NZD $170,352 |
The hourly rate is more important than the annual headline salary.
For example:
- NZD $145,000 over 37.5 hours equals approximately NZD $74.36 per hour and can exceed the threshold.
- NZD $145,000 over 40 hours equals approximately NZD $69.71 per hour and does not meet the threshold.
- NZD $155,000 over 40 hours equals approximately NZD $74.52 per hour and can exceed it.
The ordinary working hours in the employment agreement must therefore be checked carefully.
Green List Contractors
A Cybersecurity Specialist working through a contract for services generally needs:
- At least NZD $109.20 per hour
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience
- A genuine qualifying contract
- Compliance with the remaining Straight to Residence requirements
The contractor rate annualises to approximately:
| Weekly billable hours | Approximate annual gross revenue |
|---|---|
| 30 hours | NZD $170,352 |
| 35 hours | NZD $198,744 |
| 40 hours | NZD $227,136 |
The contractor threshold and experience condition are higher than the employee requirements.
Gross contractor revenue is not equivalent to employee salary.
Contractors may personally fund:
- Income tax
- Accounting
- Insurance
- Equipment
- Retirement contributions
- Unpaid annual leave
- Sick leave
- Business expenses
- Time between contracts
Straight to Residence Visa
The Straight to Residence Visa is available to eligible applicants with a Tier 1 Green List job or job offer from an accredited employer.
The visa:
- Allows the holder to live, work and study indefinitely
- Costs from NZD $6,450
- Has an indicative 80% processing time of four months
- Requires the principal applicant to be 55 or younger
- Allows eligible partners and dependent children aged 24 or younger to be included
The applicant must generally:
- Be aged 55 or younger
- Have a genuine Tier 1 job or job offer
- Work for an accredited employer
- Meet the specified Green List remuneration requirement
- Have qualifying full-time employment
- Meet English requirements
- Be in good health
- Be of good character
Straight to Residence Job Requirements
The Green List job must generally be:
- Full time
- With an accredited employer
- Permanent, or
- Fixed term for at least 12 months from the residence application, or
- Covered by a contract or continuous contracts lasting at least six months
The job must also satisfy the specified pay, occupation and other Tier 1 requirements.
A short project, informal freelance agreement or uncertain verbal offer is unlikely to be sufficient.
Accredited Employer Work Visa
A candidate who does not yet meet the NZD $72.80 Green List rate can still potentially obtain an AEWV.
The AEWV permits the worker to:
- Work for the approved accredited employer
- Work in the approved occupation and location
- Stay for up to five years in most Skill Level 1 employment
- Study for up to three months during a 12-month period
- Potentially support separate visas for family members
- Potentially pursue residence later
The visa is employer specific.
The worker cannot automatically:
- Work for another company
- Work in a second job
- Change occupation
- Change location
- Become self-employed
A Job Change, variation of conditions or new visa may be required when the employment changes.
AEWV Job-Offer Requirements
The employment offer must generally:
- Be current when the worker applies
- Provide at least 30 hours per week
- Come from an accredited employer
- Be covered by an approved job check
- Pay the applicable market rate
- Comply with New Zealand employment law
- Accurately describe the position
The worker must submit:
- Signed job offer
- Employment agreement
- Job description
- Identity documents
- Skills and qualification evidence
- Health and character evidence where required
AEWV Skills Requirement
The general minimum skills requirement can normally be satisfied through either:
- At least two years of relevant job experience, or
- A qualification at NZQCF Level 4 or higher
The experience or qualification generally needs to relate to the field of the offered position. A bachelor’s degree or higher can meet the general qualification requirement even when the degree is in another field, although employers may still insist on a relevant technical qualification.
The two years of experience:
- Do not need to be consecutive
- Do not necessarily need to be full time
- Must equal at least two years of full-time-equivalent experience
- Must be independently verifiable
A CV alone is not sufficient evidence.
Applicants should prepare:
- Employment certificates
- Employer reference letters
- Payslips
- Tax records
- Employment contracts
- Social-insurance evidence
- Bank statements
- Work-permit evidence for overseas employment
Is an English Test Required for an AEWV?
ICT Security Specialist is normally an ANZSCO Skill Level 1 occupation.
Applicants in Skill Level 1 or 2 positions do not normally need to provide separate formal evidence of English for the AEWV. Formal AEWV English requirements primarily apply to Skill Level 3, 4 and 5 occupations.
However, the employer can still require strong professional English for:
- Security reporting
- Incident coordination
- Architecture reviews
- Executive communication
- Policy writing
- Client meetings
- Technical documentation
- Security training
A cybersecurity applicant should expect communication skills to be tested during recruitment.
Can a Self-Taught Cybersecurity Professional Qualify?
Potentially.
A self-taught professional can satisfy the general AEWV skill requirement through relevant work experience rather than a formal qualification.
Strong evidence may include:
- Detailed employer references
- Payslips
- Tax documents
- Employment contracts
- Social-insurance records
- Promotion letters
- Incident-response evidence
- Security-architecture projects
- Professional certifications
- Technical publications
- Responsible-disclosure acknowledgements
The candidate must still demonstrate that the employment is at the professional level expected for ICT Security Specialist.
A home laboratory, online course or capture-the-flag profile can strengthen a job application, but these materials generally do not replace independently verifiable paid employment.
Qualification Recognition
Cybersecurity is not generally a licensed profession requiring compulsory occupational registration in New Zealand.
However, an overseas qualification may need an International Qualification Assessment from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Current NZQA fees include:
| Assessment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard IQA | NZD $445 |
| Skill Shortage List IQA | NZD $610 |
| Skill Shortage assessment add-on | NZD $165 |
The published fees include GST where applicable and can change.
An IQA may be required when:
- The qualification is not on the exempt list
- Immigration New Zealand needs confirmation of its NZQCF level
- The applicant is claiming Skilled Migrant Category points
- The applicant is relying on overseas education for visa eligibility
- The employer requests independent comparability
An IQA does not guarantee:
- Employment
- AEWV approval
- Green List residence
- Skilled Migrant Category selection
- A particular salary
Valuable Cybersecurity Certifications
Employers may value certifications such as:
- CISSP
- CCSP
- CISM
- CISA
- Security+
- CySA+
- OSCP
- GIAC certifications
- AWS Certified Security
- Microsoft Security certifications
- Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer
- Certified Ethical Hacker
- Kubernetes security certifications
Certifications are most effective when combined with:
- Commercial experience
- Demonstrable technical achievements
- Clear incident-response examples
- Professional communication
- Strong employment references
A certification alone does not create visa eligibility.
Highest-Paying Cybersecurity Specialisations
Cloud Security Engineering
Cloud Security Engineers secure:
- Amazon Web Services
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
- Kubernetes
- Containers
- Serverless services
- Cloud identities
- Infrastructure as code
Useful experience includes:
- Terraform
- Cloud logging
- Identity guardrails
- Encryption
- Network segmentation
- Security posture management
- Automated remediation
Application Security
Application Security Engineers work on:
- Threat modelling
- Secure coding
- Code review
- Static application security testing
- Dynamic application security testing
- Dependency security
- API security
- DevSecOps
- Developer training
Professionals with both software-engineering and cybersecurity experience can be particularly valuable.
Security Architecture
Security Architects design:
- Enterprise security frameworks
- Cloud-security patterns
- Identity systems
- Zero-trust architecture
- Network controls
- Encryption standards
- Secure application platforms
- Governance processes
Architecture positions commonly require significant professional experience and strong stakeholder communication.
Security Operations and Incident Response
Security operations professionals may handle:
- Alert triage
- Threat hunting
- Detection engineering
- Incident containment
- Malware analysis
- Digital forensics
- Recovery coordination
- Post-incident improvement
Senior incident-response positions can require:
- On-call work
- Night or weekend availability
- Crisis leadership
- Executive reporting
- Coordination with legal and privacy teams
Penetration Testing
Penetration Testers conduct authorised assessments of:
- Web applications
- Mobile applications
- APIs
- Cloud platforms
- Internal networks
- Wireless systems
- Human-security controls
Applicants should never include confidential client vulnerabilities or unauthorised testing in a portfolio.
Identity and Access Management
IAM specialists design and operate:
- Single sign-on
- Multi-factor authentication
- Identity governance
- Privileged-access management
- Role-based access
- Directory services
- Customer identity platforms
Governance, Risk and Compliance
GRC professionals may work with:
- ISO 27001
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- PCI DSS
- SOC 2
- Privacy controls
- Third-party risk
- Security policies
- Audit preparation
- Risk registers
- Executive reporting
Operational Technology Security
Operational Technology security can involve:
- Electricity
- Water
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Agriculture
- Telecommunications
- Industrial control systems
- Critical infrastructure
These positions can command high compensation where candidates combine security expertise with specialist industry knowledge.
Major Cybersecurity Locations
Auckland
Auckland offers employment in:
- Financial services
- Cloud technology
- Telecommunications
- Consulting
- Enterprise software
- Insurance
- E-commerce
- Managed security services
Auckland often has the largest number of private-sector opportunities, but housing costs should be considered when comparing offers.
Wellington
Wellington provides cybersecurity roles connected to:
- Government
- Financial services
- Consulting
- Cloud systems
- Digital public services
- National security
- Critical infrastructure
Some government and intelligence positions impose significant citizenship, residence-history or security-clearance restrictions.
Christchurch
Christchurch can offer work in:
- Cloud technology
- Geospatial systems
- Aerospace
- Agriculture technology
- Engineering software
- Health technology
- Managed security
Hamilton
Hamilton opportunities can involve:
- Agriculture technology
- Education
- Software-as-a-service
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Financial services
Tauranga
Tauranga’s market can include:
- Port and logistics technology
- Financial services
- Agriculture technology
- Software platforms
- Remote security teams
Dunedin
Dunedin can provide opportunities linked to:
- Universities
- Health technology
- Research
- Education technology
- Software companies
- Scientific computing
Government Security-Clearance Restrictions
Not every New Zealand cybersecurity position is realistic for a new overseas applicant.
Government, defence, intelligence and national-security roles can require:
- New Zealand citizenship
- A New Zealand residence-class visa
- Citizenship from a specified partner country
- Ten or more years of checkable background history
- Top Secret or other security clearance
- Detailed financial and personal vetting
A July 2026 New Zealand intelligence-community Cyber Security Advisor vacancy required either at least 10 years of New Zealand citizenship or qualifying residence and citizenship history, together with eligibility for Top Secret Special clearance and a 15-year checkable background.
Defence-related roles can similarly require permanent residence or residence-class status, citizenship from specified countries and a lengthy verifiable background.
International candidates should initially focus on commercial roles in:
- Technology companies
- Banks
- Insurance
- Telecommunications
- Consulting
- Cloud services
- Software companies
- Managed security providers
A Green List occupation does not override an employer’s security-clearance restrictions.
Can Cybersecurity Professionals Bring Their Families?
An AEWV applicant cannot include family members in the same AEWV application.
However, an eligible AEWV holder may support separate applications for:
- Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Dependent Child Student Visa
- Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
Eligibility depends on:
- Occupation skill level
- Salary
- Green List status
- Remaining visa duration
- Family relationship
Partner Work Rights
For a Skill Level 1, 2 or 3 job, an AEWV holder earning at least NZD $28 per hour can generally support:
- A Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- A Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
An AEWV holder earning at least NZD $58,240 per year can generally support appropriate child visitor or student visas.
Where the job is on the Green List and the worker meets its requirements, the worker can support family visas. A Green List worker earning at least NZD $35 per hour can also support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa.
A Cybersecurity Specialist meeting the NZD $72.80 Green List threshold will normally exceed these family-income requirements.
Family visas remain separate applications and are not automatically approved.
Family Under Straight to Residence
A Straight to Residence applicant can include:
- Partner
- Dependent children aged 24 or younger
The applicant must prove that each relationship is genuine and provide documents such as:
- Marriage certificate
- Partnership evidence
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- Custody documents where relevant
- Certified translations
Eligible included family members receive residence when the application is approved.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Cybersecurity professionals who do not meet the Green List salary threshold may consider the Skilled Migrant Category.
The SMC generally requires:
- Age of 55 or younger
- A skilled full-time job or job offer from an accredited employer
- Six skilled resident points
- English ability
- Good health and character
The visa costs from NZD $6,450 and allows inclusion of a partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger.
Before August 24, 2026, points can be claimed from:
- Qualification
- Income
- Eligible occupational registration
- Skilled work experience in New Zealand
Skilled Migrant Income Points
From March 9, 2026, the income thresholds are:
| Hourly income | Points |
|---|---|
| NZD $52.50 | 3 points |
| NZD $70.00 | 4 points |
| NZD $105.00 | 6 points |
At 40 hours per week, these rates equal approximately:
| Hourly rate | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| NZD $52.50 | NZD $109,200 |
| NZD $70.00 | NZD $145,600 |
| NZD $105.00 | NZD $218,400 |
A Cybersecurity Specialist paid the Green List threshold of NZD $72.80 per hour can potentially claim four income points but will not receive six income points solely from salary.
They may need additional New Zealand skilled-work experience or qualification points, depending on the applicable rules.
Skilled Migrant Changes From August 24, 2026
Significant SMC changes take effect on August 24, 2026.
Confirmed changes include:
- Two additional SMC pathways
- Updated qualification points
- More points for certain New Zealand qualifications
- Four points for an overseas bachelor’s degree
- Five points for a qualifying overseas master’s degree
- Reduced New Zealand work-experience requirements for additional points
- Revised wage-assessment rules
From August 24, 2026, qualification points include:
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 6 |
| Qualifying New Zealand master’s degree | Up to 6 |
| Overseas master’s degree with supporting bachelor’s degree | 5 |
| New Zealand bachelor’s degree | 5 |
| Overseas honours or postgraduate qualification | 4 |
| Overseas bachelor’s degree | 4 |
Applicants claiming points for overseas education will normally need an IQA unless their qualification appears on the exemption list.
Candidates applying before August 24, 2026 must use the rules currently in effect rather than applying the future framework early.
Permanent Resident Visa
A person who has held a New Zealand Resident Visa for at least two consecutive years may qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa.
The applicant must normally:
- Have held residence for at least two years
- Hold a current resident visa or one that expired no more than 90 days earlier
- Have met all resident-visa conditions
- Demonstrate commitment to New Zealand through an accepted method
- Continue to satisfy character requirements
The Permanent Resident Visa:
- Costs from NZD $315
- Has an indicative 80% processing time of approximately 1.5 weeks
- Allows indefinite residence
- Provides indefinite travel rights
- Can include eligible partners and dependent children
A Resident Visa and Permanent Resident Visa are different.
A Resident Visa permits indefinite residence but initially contains limited travel conditions. A Permanent Resident Visa removes those time-limited travel restrictions.
New Zealand Citizenship
Residence can eventually create a pathway to citizenship.
The general presence requirement includes:
- At least 1,350 days physically present in New Zealand during the five years immediately before applying
- At least 240 days present during each of those five years
- Permission to remain in New Zealand indefinitely during the qualifying days
Applicants must also satisfy requirements relating to:
- Good character
- English
- Knowledge of citizenship responsibilities and privileges
- Intention to continue living in New Zealand
Citizenship is a separate discretionary application.
It is not guaranteed by:
- AEWV approval
- Straight to Residence
- Skilled Migrant residence
- Permanent Resident status
- Five years of employment
How to Find Sponsorship-Ready Employers
Useful search phrases include:
- Cybersecurity New Zealand visa sponsorship
- ICT Security Specialist AEWV
- Information Security Analyst accredited employer NZ
- Cloud Security Engineer New Zealand relocation
- Cybersecurity Analyst New Zealand work visa
- Security Engineer Auckland visa sponsorship
- Security Architect Wellington accredited employer
- Green List ICT Security Specialist jobs
- Cybersecurity Consultant New Zealand international applicants
- Cybersecurity New Zealand 2026/2027
Look for phrases such as:
- Accredited employer
- AEWV support
- Visa sponsorship available
- International applicants welcome
- Overseas candidates considered
- Relocation assistance
- Immigration support
- Green List role
- Straight to Residence eligible
- Work-visa assistance
A vacancy stating that applicants must already have unrestricted New Zealand work rights normally does not offer a new AEWV.
How to Verify an Accredited Employer
Immigration New Zealand maintains an accredited-employer search tool.
The list can be searched using:
- Company name
- Trading name
- New Zealand Business Number
The accredited-employer database is updated daily, although some employers may choose not to be publicly displayed.
Before accepting an offer:
- Confirm the employer’s legal name.
- Obtain the employer’s NZBN.
- Check the accredited-employer list.
- Verify the company’s website and address.
- Confirm the recruiter’s official email.
- Request the complete job description.
- Confirm the ANZSCO code.
- Ask whether the employer has an approved job check.
- Confirm the salary and weekly hours.
- Ask whether the role meets Green List requirements.
- Review relocation and repayment conditions.
- Check whether the employer appears on the immigration stand-down list.
Employers on the stand-down list cannot support migrant visas during the stated restriction period.
Employment Contract Checks
Base Salary
Confirm:
- Gross annual salary
- Hourly-equivalent salary
- Guaranteed weekly hours
- Bonus
- Equity
- KiwiSaver treatment
- On-call allowance
- Overtime
- Salary-review date
Green List Hourly Rate
The residence calculation depends heavily on working hours.
Ask the employer to confirm:
- Ordinary weekly hours
- Gross guaranteed salary
- Hourly equivalent
- Whether bonuses are excluded
- Whether the role meets NZD $72.80 per hour
- Whether the company will support Straight to Residence
Job Duties
The position description should contain genuine ICT Security Specialist responsibilities.
Duties can include:
- Security assessment
- Threat monitoring
- Incident response
- Security architecture
- Vulnerability management
- Identity security
- Cloud security
- Policy and governance
Work Location
Confirm whether the position is:
- Office based
- Hybrid
- Remote within New Zealand
- Attached to multiple offices
- Based at client sites
The AEWV normally states the approved employer, occupation and work location.
Working Hours
Confirm:
- Minimum guaranteed hours
- Normal working week
- On-call rota
- Night and weekend work
- Overtime compensation
- Time off in lieu
Trial Period
Immigration New Zealand states that the AEWV employment agreement must comply with immigration and employment requirements. Applicants should review any trial or probation clause carefully and obtain professional advice where necessary.
Relocation Repayment
Check:
- Costs covered
- Repayment period
- Whether repayment reduces over time
- Treatment after visa refusal
- Treatment after redundancy
- Treatment after employer termination
- Treatment after voluntary resignation
- Family relocation costs
Residence Support
Ask the employer to confirm:
- Whether the job is treated as ICT Security Specialist
- Whether the salary satisfies the Green List threshold
- Whether ordinary hours will be stated accurately
- Whether the employer will provide residence documents
- Whether immigration-adviser support is included
No employer can guarantee residence approval.
Documents to Prepare
A comprehensive file may include:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Name-change documents
- Degree or diploma
- Academic transcript
- NZQA IQA
- Professional certifications
- Employment references
- Employment contracts
- Payslips
- Tax records
- Social-insurance records
- Bank statements
- Work permits for overseas employment
- Professional CV
- Technical portfolio
- Police certificates
- Medical evidence
- Job offer
- Employment agreement
- Job description
- Marriage certificate
- Children’s birth certificates
Employment references should clearly state:
- Exact employment dates
- Position title
- Weekly hours
- Full-time or part-time status
- Security duties
- Technologies used
- Level of responsibility
- Employer contact details
How to Write a New Zealand Cybersecurity CV
A strong CV should normally include:
- Name and contact details
- Current location
- Relocation availability
- Professional summary
- Cybersecurity specialisations
- Technical tools
- Employment history
- Measurable achievements
- Education
- Certifications
- Visa-support requirement
- Portfolio or LinkedIn profile
Avoid unnecessary personal details such as:
- Religion
- Marital status
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Photograph
- Full residential address
Professional Summary Examples
Senior Cybersecurity Specialist
Senior Cybersecurity Specialist with eight years of experience protecting cloud, financial and enterprise environments. Skilled in AWS security, Microsoft Sentinel, identity management, vulnerability management and incident response. Implemented controls across more than 100 cloud accounts and reduced critical vulnerability remediation time by 58%. Available to relocate to New Zealand through an Accredited Employer Work Visa under ANZSCO 262112.
Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security Engineer with seven years of experience designing secure AWS and Azure environments using Terraform, Kubernetes, identity guardrails and centralised detection. Led cloud-security programmes supporting more than 12,000 users. Seeking an accredited New Zealand employer offering AEWV support and Green List-eligible remuneration.
Self-Taught Cybersecurity Professional
Self-taught Information Security Specialist with nine years of verifiable professional experience in incident response, detection engineering and cloud security. Holds current CISSP and CCSP certifications and has led high-severity incident investigations across multinational environments. Available for New Zealand relocation with comprehensive employment evidence.
Strong Achievement Statements
Weak:
Monitored cybersecurity alerts.
Stronger:
Investigated more than 2,000 monthly alerts and reduced false positives by 46% through detection-rule tuning and automated enrichment.
Weak:
Managed vulnerabilities.
Stronger:
Developed a risk-based vulnerability programme that reduced unresolved critical findings from 480 to 82 within ten months.
Weak:
Worked on cloud security.
Stronger:
Implemented preventative and detective controls across 120 AWS accounts using Terraform, centralised logging and automated policy enforcement.
Weak:
Responded to incidents.
Stronger:
Led containment and recovery for a ransomware incident affecting 1,900 endpoints, restoring critical services without confirmed data exfiltration.
Weak:
Improved application security.
Stronger:
Integrated static, dynamic and dependency testing into 58 deployment pipelines, reducing high-severity production vulnerabilities by 64%.
Cybersecurity Portfolio Guidance
A professional portfolio may include:
- Detection-rule examples
- Security automation
- Responsible-disclosure acknowledgements
- Anonymised incident case studies
- Threat models
- Security architecture diagrams
- Open-source contributions
- Technical articles
- Capture-the-flag write-ups
- Home-laboratory documentation
Never publish:
- Employer credentials
- Customer vulnerabilities
- Confidential incident data
- Personal information
- Proprietary security architecture
- Unauthorised penetration-test findings
- Government-sensitive information
- Private source code
Cybersecurity Interview Process
A New Zealand cybersecurity interview process may include:
- Recruiter screening
- Hiring-manager interview
- Technical security interview
- Practical or scenario assessment
- Architecture discussion
- Incident-response exercise
- Behavioural interview
- Executive or stakeholder meeting
- Reference checks
- Immigration eligibility review
Security-sensitive employers may also require:
- Criminal-record checks
- Financial checks
- Government vetting
- Citizenship verification
- Residence-history assessment
Cybersecurity Interview Questions
Prepare for questions such as:
- How would you investigate suspicious authentication activity?
- How do you prioritise vulnerabilities?
- Describe a major security incident you managed.
- How would you secure a cloud environment?
- How do you design a zero-trust architecture?
- How do you reduce SIEM false positives?
- How do you secure a public API?
- How would you respond to compromised privileged credentials?
- How do you perform threat modelling?
- How do you secure a software-development lifecycle?
- How do you communicate risk to executives?
- Describe a security control that failed.
- How do you manage third-party cyber risk?
- How do you handle on-call pressure?
- How do you stay current with emerging threats?
- Why do you want to work in New Zealand?
- Does your experience match ANZSCO 262112?
- Do you require AEWV support?
- Does your salary expectation meet the Green List rate?
- When can you relocate?
Strong answers demonstrate:
- Technical accuracy
- Ethical awareness
- Structured investigation
- Risk prioritisation
- Practical decisions
- Incident ownership
- Clear communication
- Measurable outcomes
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Confirm the Occupation Code
Compare the position with:
- ICT Security Specialist
- Software Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Database Administrator
- ICT Business Analyst
- ICT Project Manager
Step 2: Review Your Experience
Confirm that you can demonstrate either:
- Two years of relevant professional experience, or
- An appropriate qualification
Step 3: Check Qualification Recognition
Determine whether the overseas qualification:
- Is exempt from assessment, or
- Requires an NZQA IQA
Step 4: Prepare the CV and Portfolio
Highlight:
- Security outcomes
- Cloud experience
- Incident response
- Architecture
- Automation
- Governance
- Measurable results
Step 5: Target Accredited Employers
Prioritise employers explicitly offering:
- AEWV support
- International recruitment
- Relocation
- Green List-eligible salaries
- Straight to Residence assistance
Step 6: Complete Interviews
Prepare for:
- Security scenarios
- Cloud-security questions
- Threat modelling
- Incident response
- Architecture
- Behavioural questions
Step 7: Review the Offer
Confirm:
- Employer accreditation
- Approved job check
- Occupation code
- Guaranteed salary
- Weekly hours
- Hourly equivalent
- Work location
- On-call duties
- Family support
Step 8: Employer Sends the Application Link
The employer provides:
- Job offer
- Employment agreement
- Job description
- Unique AEWV application link
Step 9: Submit the AEWV Application
Upload:
- Passport
- Qualification evidence
- Experience evidence
- Employment documents
- Police certificates
- Medical evidence
- Certified translations
Step 10: Receive the Decision
If approved, Immigration New Zealand normally issues an electronic visa.
Step 11: Check the Conditions
Confirm:
- Employer
- Occupation
- Work location
- Visa expiry
- Travel conditions
Step 12: Apply for Family Visas
Submit separate applications for eligible family members.
Step 13: Review Residence Eligibility
Determine whether the employment supports:
- Straight to Residence
- Skilled Migrant Category
- Another skilled residence route
Step 14: Maintain Records
Keep:
- Employment agreement
- Payslips
- Tax records
- AEWV
- Employer correspondence
- Residence evidence
- Qualification assessment
- Updated passport
Changing Employers
The AEWV normally links the employee to the approved:
- Employer
- Occupation
- Work location
A person changing one or more of these may need:
- A Job Change
- A variation of conditions
- A new AEWV
The worker cannot normally start the new position until the required immigration approval is obtained.
Before changing employment, confirm:
- New employer accreditation
- New job check
- Occupation code
- Salary
- Green List impact
- Family-visa impact
- Residence strategy
Common Visa-Sponsorship Scams
Warning signs include:
- Guaranteed AEWV approval
- Guaranteed Straight to Residence
- Guaranteed citizenship
- Payment requested for a job offer
- Payment requested for employer accreditation
- Cryptocurrency requests
- Job offer without a technical interview
- Communication only through messaging applications
- Recruiter using an unrelated personal email
- Employer absent from accreditation records
- Fake job-check documents
- Requests to falsify work experience
- Requests to inflate salary
- Requests to return part of the salary
- Pressure to provide passport documents immediately
New Zealand employers and recruitment agents cannot charge workers for employment or make them pay the employer’s recruitment costs.
Never purchase:
- Job offer
- AEWV
- Job check
- Accredited-employer status
- Resident visa
- Permanent Resident Visa
- Citizenship
Relocation Packages
A New Zealand cybersecurity employer may provide:
- Immigration-adviser support
- AEWV fee reimbursement
- Residence-application support
- Flights
- Temporary accommodation
- Relocation allowance
- Household shipping
- Family visa assistance
- Private health insurance
- Tax consultation
- Certification budget
- Housing-search help
Ask for written confirmation of:
- Covered expenses
- Maximum reimbursement
- Required receipts
- Payment timing
- Tax treatment
- Minimum service period
- Repayment conditions
- Visa-refusal treatment
- Redundancy treatment
- Employer-termination treatment
- Family coverage
Relocation assistance is an employment benefit, not an automatic immigration entitlement.
Important 2027 Outlook
The confirmed position as of August 2, 2026 includes:
- ICT Security Specialist remains a Tier 1 Green List occupation.
- The employee Green List threshold is NZD $72.80 per hour.
- The contractor threshold is NZD $109.20 per hour.
- Contractors generally need at least 10 years of relevant experience.
- AEWVs cost from NZD $1,540.
- Skill Level 1 workers can generally hold AEWVs for up to five years.
- AEWV applicants need at least two years of relevant experience or an eligible qualification.
- Formal AEWV English evidence is not normally required for Skill Level 1.
- Straight to Residence applicants must normally be 55 or younger.
- Confirmed SMC changes take effect on August 24, 2026.
The exact requirements applying throughout 2027 had not been confirmed as of August 2026.
Applicants planning a 2027 move should recheck:
- ICT Security Specialist Green List status
- Green List employee threshold
- Contractor threshold
- AEWV application fee
- AEWV processing time
- Minimum skills requirements
- Accredited-employer requirements
- Family-income thresholds
- SMC points
- IQA requirements
- Resident-visa fees
- Citizenship rules
The National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO for selected AEWV occupations. However, occupations not yet recognised under the NOL continue to use ANZSCO, and other skilled visas can still require ANZSCO classifications.
Applicants should use the occupation system required by the specific visa at the time they apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get cybersecurity jobs with visa sponsorship in New Zealand?
Yes. Accredited employers can support qualifying overseas cybersecurity professionals through the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
What is the cybersecurity occupation code?
The principal code is ICT Security Specialist, ANZSCO 262112.
How much do cybersecurity professionals earn in New Zealand?
The official Tahatū profile reports a common salary range of approximately NZD $81,000 to NZD $157,000.
Can a cybersecurity professional earn NZD $210,000?
Yes. Tahatū reports upper earnings of approximately NZD $210,000 for Information Security Analysts. This is an upper-end figure rather than a guaranteed salary.
What is the main sponsored work visa?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa.
How long can an AEWV last?
Up to five years for most Skill Level 1 employment, depending on the job and the applicant’s AEWV history.
How much does an AEWV cost?
The application cost starts from NZD $1,540.
How long does AEWV processing take?
Immigration New Zealand currently reports that 80% are processed within approximately 7.5 weeks.
How many working hours are required?
The job must provide at least 30 hours per week.
Must the employer be accredited?
Yes. The employer must hold AEWV accreditation and have an approved job check.
How much experience is required?
The general minimum is two years of relevant professional experience or an NZQCF Level 4 or higher qualification.
Is a degree mandatory?
Not necessarily for the AEWV. Relevant work experience can satisfy the general skills requirement.
Is an English test required?
Normally not for an ICT Security Specialist AEWV because the occupation is generally Skill Level 1.
Is ICT Security Specialist on the Green List?
Yes. It is a Tier 1 occupation.
What is the Green List salary threshold?
NZD $72.80 per hour for ordinary employee employment.
What is that annually?
Approximately NZD $151,424 at 40 hours per week.
Can someone earning NZD $120,000 get an AEWV?
Potentially. The employment must meet the market rate and all AEWV requirements.
Can that person use Straight to Residence?
Not necessarily. At 40 hours weekly, NZD $120,000 equals approximately NZD $57.69 per hour, which is below the Green List threshold.
What is the contractor threshold?
NZD $109.20 per hour, with at least 10 years of relevant experience normally required.
What is the Straight to Residence age limit?
The principal applicant must be 55 or younger.
How much does Straight to Residence cost?
The application cost starts from NZD $6,450.
How long does Straight to Residence processing take?
Immigration New Zealand states that 80% are processed within approximately four months.
Can family members be included in Straight to Residence?
Yes. Eligible partners and dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included.
Can family members be included in an AEWV?
No. They submit separate applications based on their relationship to the AEWV holder.
Can the spouse work?
Potentially. A Skill Level 1 AEWV holder earning at least NZD $28 per hour can generally support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa.
Can children obtain student visas?
Potentially. A qualifying AEWV holder earning at least NZD $58,240 annually can normally support dependent-child student or visitor visas.
Is cybersecurity regulated in New Zealand?
Ordinary cybersecurity employment is not generally subject to compulsory occupational registration. Government or security-sensitive roles can impose additional clearance requirements.
Is an NZQA assessment always required?
No. Some overseas qualifications are exempt, while others require an IQA.
How much is a Standard IQA?
NZD $445.
How much is a Skill Shortage List IQA?
NZD $610.
Can a self-taught cybersecurity professional qualify?
Potentially. Verifiable relevant work experience can satisfy the general AEWV skills requirement.
Can an AEWV lead to residence?
Potentially. The worker may qualify through Straight to Residence, the Skilled Migrant Category or another residence route.
How many points are required under the Skilled Migrant Category?
Six skilled resident points.
How much income provides six points?
From March 9, 2026, NZD $105 per hour provides six income points.
Is NZD $72.80 enough for six SMC income points?
No. It reaches the four-point income threshold of NZD $70 but remains below the six-point threshold of NZD $105.
Are SMC rules changing in 2026?
Yes. Significant changes take effect on August 24, 2026.
When can a resident apply for a Permanent Resident Visa?
Normally after holding a Resident Visa for at least two consecutive years.
How much does a Permanent Resident Visa cost?
The application cost starts from NZD $315.
Can residence lead to citizenship?
Potentially. Applicants generally need to meet the five-year presence, character, English and intention requirements.
How many days are required for citizenship?
Normally at least 1,350 days during the five years before applying and at least 240 days during each of those years.
Can new overseas applicants obtain government security clearance?
Some may eventually qualify, but many government roles require residence-class status, citizenship from specified countries and lengthy checkable background history.
Does sponsorship guarantee residence?
No. AEWV and residence applications are separately assessed.
Are the 2027 Green List rates confirmed?
No. Applicants should check the Green List and wage requirements again before submitting a 2027 application.
Professional New Zealand Cybersecurity Application Support
Professional job-application and relocation support may include:
- New Zealand-style cybersecurity CV preparation
- Position-specific cover letters
- LinkedIn optimisation
- ANZSCO classification review
- Accredited-employer research
- AEWV eligibility assessment
- Green List hourly-rate calculations
- NZQA assessment planning
- Employment-reference preparation
- Technical portfolio development
- Certification presentation
- Interview coaching
- Employment-contract review
- Family-document preparation
- Relocation planning
- Residence-pathway assessment
- Application tracking
No legitimate professional service can guarantee:
- A New Zealand cybersecurity job
- NZD $210,000 in annual earnings
- Employer accreditation
- Job-check approval
- AEWV approval
- Straight to Residence approval
- Skilled Migrant residence
- Permanent Resident status
- New Zealand citizenship
Professional assistance should help candidates present genuine evidence, identify suitable employers and avoid preventable mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity jobs in New Zealand with visa sponsorship offer valuable career and immigration opportunities for experienced international professionals.
Official salary information reports:
- Lower earnings of approximately NZD $59,000
- Common earnings of approximately NZD $81,000 to NZD $157,000
- Upper earnings of approximately NZD $210,000
The principal temporary route is the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
The strongest AEWV candidates generally have:
- At least two years of verifiable professional experience
- Cloud, application-security or incident-response expertise
- Strong measurable achievements
- Relevant security certifications
- Professional English communication
- A focused New Zealand CV
- An ethical technical portfolio
- Accurate occupation classification
- Realistic salary expectations
- Flexibility regarding location
- A clear family and residence strategy
ICT Security Specialist is also a Tier 1 Green List occupation.
However, direct residence requires more than simply holding a cybersecurity title. An employee normally needs to earn at least NZD $72.80 per hour, equal to approximately NZD $151,424 at 40 hours per week. Contractors face the higher NZD $109.20 threshold and a 10-year experience requirement.
Candidates below the Green List threshold can still potentially:
- Obtain an AEWV
- Negotiate a future salary increase
- Move into a senior Green List-eligible position
- Claim Skilled Migrant Category points
- Build qualifying New Zealand work experience
- Pursue another residence pathway
Before accepting an offer, confirm:
- Employer accreditation
- Approved job check
- ANZSCO classification
- Guaranteed gross salary
- Ordinary weekly hours
- Green List hourly rate
- On-call responsibilities
- Work location
- Family support
- Relocation repayment
- Security-clearance restrictions
- Residence strategy
For applications submitted during 2027, verify the current occupation list, salary thresholds, AEWV rules, family rights, SMC points and visa fees before signing final documents.
Never pay an employer or recruiter to purchase a New Zealand job offer, job check, work visa or resident visa. Verify the employer, accreditation, contract, salary, occupation and immigration pathway before providing money or sensitive personal information.