Introduction
New Zealand’s Green List residence pathways are designed to help the country attract and retain skilled workers in occupations where there is strong demand for qualified professionals.
The Green List is a separate skilled residence pathway from the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). It is not one of the three SMC pathways.
For eligible applicants, the Green List can provide a relatively direct route to New Zealand residence. Depending on the occupation, a candidate may be able to apply for residence immediately through the Straight to Residence Visa, or after gaining qualifying work experience in New Zealand through the Work to Residence Visa.
The Green List is therefore particularly relevant to skilled workers who already have, or are able to obtain, employment with an accredited New Zealand employer in an occupation included on the list.
What is the New Zealand Green List?
The Green List is a list of occupations that Immigration New Zealand identifies as being in demand.
The occupations are divided into two tiers:
- Tier 1: eligible for the Straight to Residence pathway
- Tier 2: eligible for the Work to Residence pathway after meeting the required New Zealand work experience
Being employed in a Green List occupation is not enough on its own. Each occupation can have specific requirements relating to qualifications, professional registration, experience or salary.
Applicants should therefore check the requirements attached to their exact occupation before assuming they qualify.
What is the objective of the Green List?
The Green List supports New Zealand’s broader skilled immigration strategy.
Its main objectives are to:
- Attract workers in occupations where New Zealand needs skilled professionals
- Give employers greater certainty when recruiting internationally
- Create clearer residence pathways for selected skilled workers
- Encourage qualified migrants to build longer-term careers in New Zealand
Green List occupations can include roles in areas such as healthcare, engineering, education, construction and information and communications technology, although the exact list and occupation requirements can change.
Tier 1: Straight to Residence
The Straight to Residence Visa is available to eligible applicants working in, or holding an eligible job offer for, a Tier 1 Green List occupation.
This is the more direct of the two Green List pathways because applicants do not generally need to complete a specified period of New Zealand work before applying for residence.
Applicants generally need to:
- Be aged 55 or younger
- Work for, or have a qualifying job offer from, an accredited New Zealand employer
- Work in a Tier 1 Green List occupation
- Meet the qualification, registration and pay requirements attached to the occupation
- Meet English-language requirements
- Satisfy health and character requirements
The employment must also meet Immigration New Zealand’s requirements relating to hours, duration and remuneration.
A successful Straight to Residence application allows the applicant to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely. Eligible partners and dependent children may also be included in the application.
Tier 2: Work to Residence
The Work to Residence Visa is designed for workers in Tier 2 Green List occupations.
Unlike Tier 1, applicants normally need to build qualifying New Zealand work experience before becoming eligible for residence.
Applicants generally need to have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in an eligible Tier 2 Green List role while meeting the relevant occupation and wage requirements.
They must also generally:
- be aged 55 or younger;
- be working for, or have an eligible job offer from, an accredited employer;
- meet the Green List requirements for the occupation;
- meet English-language requirements;
- satisfy health and character requirements.
Once the required work period has been completed, eligible applicants may apply for residence.
Who is the Green List relevant to?
The Green List is particularly worth reviewing if you are a skilled professional whose occupation appears on the list and you are considering working or settling permanently in New Zealand.
It may be especially relevant to:
- Healthcare professionals;
- Engineers;
- Teachers and education professionals;
- Construction specialists;
- ICT professionals;
- Selected tradespeople and technicians; and
- Other workers in occupations specifically identified by Immigration New Zealand.
However, applicants should not rely only on their job title. Immigration New Zealand may require a specific occupation classification, qualification, professional registration or minimum rate of pay.
For regulated professions, obtaining New Zealand occupational registration may also be necessary before the immigration pathway can be used.
Green List vs Skilled Migrant Category
The Green List is not the same as the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Both are skilled residence pathways, but they operate differently.
The Green List is occupation-based. Eligibility depends heavily on whether the applicant’s role appears in Tier 1 or Tier 2 and whether the occupation-specific requirements are satisfied.
The Skilled Migrant Category uses separate criteria involving skilled employment, qualifications, occupational registration, income or qualifying New Zealand work experience.
Some applicants may qualify under more than one residence pathway, so it can be useful to compare the options before deciding which application to pursue.
Does a Green List job guarantee residence?
No. Having a Green List occupation does not automatically guarantee a resident visa.
Applicants must still meet all of the requirements attached to the occupation and the relevant visa category, including employer, salary, qualification, registration, English, health and character requirements.
The Green List can also change as New Zealand’s labour-market priorities evolve. Candidates should therefore confirm the current requirements before making employment or relocation decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 on the Green List?
Tier 1 occupations may provide access to the Straight to Residence Visa. Tier 2 occupations generally require 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand before the applicant can apply through the Work to Residence pathway.
2. Do I need a New Zealand job offer?
Generally, yes. Both Green List residence pathways normally require qualifying employment or a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
3. Is there an age limit?
Yes. Applicants for both Straight to Residence and Work to Residence generally need to be 55 years old or younger when they apply.
4. Can my family be included?
Eligible applicants may generally include their partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in the residence application, provided the applicable requirements are met.
5. What happens if my occupation is not on the Green List?
You may still have other options. Depending on your circumstances, you could potentially qualify through the Skilled Migrant Category, another work-to-residence pathway, an Accredited Employer Work Visa or another New Zealand immigration category.
Immigration to New Zealand: Complete Guide 2026
Conclusion
New Zealand’s Green List provides a targeted residence pathway for workers in occupations considered important to the country’s labour market.
For Tier 1 workers, the Straight to Residence Visa can provide a direct route to residence once the necessary employment and occupation requirements are met. Tier 2 workers may instead qualify for residence after completing the required 24 months of eligible employment in New Zealand.
The key is to check more than simply whether your occupation appears on the list. Applicants should confirm their exact occupation classification, qualifications, professional registration, salary requirements and employer status before relying on the Green List as an immigration strategy.
If you are considering working or settling in New Zealand, ImmigrationGurus.ca can help you review the Green List and other skilled residence pathways that may apply to your profile.
