SR5.20 Work in New Zealand earning at least twice the median wage

1. Evidence that the applicant has earned twice the median wage can be demonstrated by:
   1. an employment agreement specifying their remuneration is at least twice the median wage (SR5.20(f)); or
   2. a summary of earnings from Inland Revenue.
2. For the 24 months of work in New Zealand, applicants must have been earning twice the median wage (SR5.20(f)) while in full-time employment (at least 30 hours per week) and held one of the following visas:
   1. any work visa; or
   2. a critical purpose visitor visa with work conditions; or
   3. an interim visa granted while the applicant held a work visa or a critical purpose visitor visa with work conditions and had applied for a further work visa.
3. The 24 months of work must be gained during the 30-month period immediately before the date the residence application is made.
4. Highly paid work will start to be counted when the applicant’s remuneration reaches at least twice the median hourly rate in place at that time as specified in the immigration instructions (SR5.20(f)) (provided they hold a visa described in (c) above).
5. Work gained while earning at least twice the median wage will stop being counted if:
   1. the applicant ceases to hold one of the visas listed in (c) above, or
   2. the applicant’s remuneration decreases and the new rate is below twice the median wage ($63.22).
6. Twice the median wage rates in effect across time are:

   Date range	Twice median hourly rate
   29 September 2021 – 3 July 2022	$54.00
   4 July 2022 – 26 February 2023	$55.52
   From 27 February 2023 - 27 February 2024	$59.32
   From 28 February 2024	$63.22

7. For the purpose of these instructions, any leave consistent with the definition in section 16 of the Holidays Act 2003 (including parental leave and ACC leave) taken during a period of work in New Zealand earning at least twice the median wage can be counted.

Notes:
- The twice median wage rate of $63.22 (from 28 February 2024) for SR5.20 instructions reflects the June 2023 publication of median wage data by Statistics New Zealand.
- The 24 months of work in New Zealand does not have to be completed consecutively and can be a total of different periods, for example two 12-month periods with a gap of six months between. Additionally, it can be made up of different types of work in New Zealand, for example 6 months in a Tier 2 Green List role and 18 months in a role paid twice the median wage.

Effective 28/02/2024