New Zealand Green List Residence Pathways
New Zealand’s Green List identifies occupations for which suitably qualified people may have a faster pathway to residence.
Green List occupations are divided into Tier 1 and Tier 2:
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Tier 1 occupations may provide a Straight to Residence pathway.
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Tier 2 occupations may provide a Work to Residence pathway after the required period of qualifying employment in New Zealand.
The Green List should not be confused with the Amber and Red Lists. Those lists apply to certain pathways under the Skilled Migrant Category and can impose additional requirements or prevent particular occupations from using those pathways.
Trusthaven Immigration can assess your occupation, employment, qualifications, registration and remuneration to determine which residence options may be available.
Is Your Occupation on the Green List?
The Green List includes selected occupations in areas such as:
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Healthcare and social services
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Engineering
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Information and communications technology
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Construction
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Education
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Primary industries and science
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Telecommunications
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Automotive and mechanical trades
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Other occupations experiencing skill shortages
Having a job title that appears on the Green List does not automatically establish residence eligibility.
Each occupation has specific requirements that may relate to:
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Occupational registration
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Qualifications
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Professional membership
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Relevant work experience
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Remuneration
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The nature and duration of the employment
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Employment with an accredited employer
Your actual duties and circumstances must satisfy the requirements specified for the occupation.
Tier 1: Straight to Residence
A person working in, or holding an acceptable job offer for, a Tier 1 Green List occupation may be able to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa.
Applicants must generally:
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Be aged 55 or younger
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Work for, or hold an acceptable job offer from, an accredited employer
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Meet the qualification, registration, experience and remuneration requirements specified for the occupation
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Have acceptable full-time employment
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Meet the required standard of English
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Be in acceptable health
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Be of good character
The employment must ordinarily be permanent, sufficiently long-term or otherwise satisfy Immigration New Zealand’s requirements.
An applicant may be able to apply from within or outside New Zealand. However, the applicant must still demonstrate that the employment and occupational requirements are met.
Examples of Tier 1 Occupations
Tier 1 includes selected occupations across fields such as healthcare, engineering, ICT and education. Examples can include certain:
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Medical practitioners
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Registered nurses
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Engineers
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ICT specialists
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Teachers
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Registered health professionals
The requirements differ between occupations. Some require New Zealand registration, while others specify particular qualifications, experience or remuneration.
Tier 2: Work to Residence
A person working in an eligible Tier 2 Green List occupation may be able to apply for a Work to Residence Visa after completing the required period of qualifying employment in New Zealand.
Applicants generally need:
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Qualifying employment in an eligible Tier 2 occupation
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Employment with an accredited employer
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At least 24 months of eligible work experience within the applicable period
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Remuneration meeting the requirements applying to the occupation and employment period
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Any qualification, registration or experience specified for the occupation
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Acceptable English, health and character
The applicable occupation and wage requirements may change during the qualifying period. Employment dates, pay records and historical immigration settings therefore need to be examined carefully.
Examples of Tier 2 Occupations
Tier 2 includes selected occupations across areas such as:
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Health and social services
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Education
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Corrections
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Telecommunications
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Construction and infrastructure
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Automotive and mechanical trades
Not every occupation within these industries is eligible. Applicants must check the specific occupation and requirements appearing on the Green List.
Why Green List Assessments Can Be Complex
Green List eligibility is not determined by the job title alone.
Immigration New Zealand may consider:
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Whether the applicant’s duties correspond with the listed occupation
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Whether the correct occupational classification has been used
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Whether the applicant holds the prescribed qualification
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Whether New Zealand occupational registration is required
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Whether an overseas qualification requires an International Qualification Assessment
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Whether the applicant meets the specified remuneration
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Whether the employment is genuine, sustainable and acceptable
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Whether the required period of Tier 2 employment has been completed
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Whether changes in pay, employer or position affect the qualifying period
A person can hold a valid work visa and work in an occupation with a similar title while still not meeting the Green List residence requirements.
Amber and Red List Occupations
The Amber and Red Lists are not additional tiers of the Green List.
They affect access to the Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways under the Skilled Migrant Category.
An occupation may therefore need to be considered across more than one residence framework. Someone who cannot qualify through one SMC pathway may potentially qualify through the Points-Based Pathway, Green List or another residence category.
Amber List Occupations
People working in an Amber List occupation face additional requirements under the Skilled Work Experience Pathway.
The current Amber List includes:
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Accommodation and Hospitality Manager nec
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Hotel or Motel Manager
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Hotel Service Manager
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Baker
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Bed and Breakfast Operator
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Café or Restaurant Manager
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Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager
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Chef
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Customer Service Manager
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ICT Customer Support Officer
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ICT Support Technicians nec
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Office Manager
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Pastrycook
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Web Administrator
An applicant in an Amber List occupation must generally:
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Be paid at least 1.2 times the applicable SMC wage threshold
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Have at least three years of relevant work experience in New Zealand in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation
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Have an additional two years of qualifying skilled work experience in New Zealand in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation
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Meet the applicable remuneration requirement during the qualifying skilled employment
Amber List occupations cannot qualify through the Trades and Technician Pathway.
Whether employment qualifies depends on the applicant’s duties, ANZSCO classification, remuneration, dates and supporting evidence.
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Red List Occupations
Red List occupations are excluded from the Skilled Work Experience Pathway.
The current Red List includes:
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Beauty Therapist
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Hair or Beauty Salon Manager
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Hairdresser
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Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec
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Massage Therapist
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Retail Manager (General)
Being on the Red List does not necessarily mean that the person has no possible pathway to residence.
Depending on their circumstances, they may still be able to qualify through:
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The Points-Based SMC Pathway
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A recognised qualification
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Eligible occupational registration
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Qualifying income
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A Green List pathway, if they later obtain eligible employment
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Partnership or another residence category
The appropriate alternative depends on the applicant’s qualifications, income, employment history, family circumstances and future plans.
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Changing Your Employer, Occupation, or Pay
A change in your employment may affect a Green List or Skilled Migrant Category residence pathway.
You should obtain advice if you:
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Change employer
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Move into a different occupation
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Receive substantially different duties
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Change work location
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Reduce your hours
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Experience a change in remuneration
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Move from employment to contracting or self-employment
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Have a break in qualifying employment
A change can affect both your temporary visa conditions and whether your employment continues to count towards residence.
Do not assume that previously completed work will automatically remain eligible after an employment change.
How We Can Help
Our Licensed Immigration Advisers can assist with:
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Checking whether your occupation appears on the Green, Amber or Red List
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Assessing your duties against the relevant occupation
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Reviewing qualification and occupational-registration requirements
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Identifying whether an IQA may be required
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Checking employer accreditation
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Reviewing employment agreements and job descriptions
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Assessing current and historical remuneration
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Calculating qualifying work-experience periods
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Comparing Green List and Skilled Migrant Category options
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Preparing and submitting residence applications
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Responding to Immigration New Zealand concerns
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Identifying alternative pathways where an occupation is restricted
Our assessment considers the complete circumstances rather than relying solely on an occupation title.
FAQs
Is the Green List a work visa?
No. There is no separate Green List work visa. A person may hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa, Post-Study Work Visa or another visa permitting the employment before qualifying for Green List residence.
Does a Green List job guarantee residence?
No. You must meet all requirements specified for the occupation and the relevant residence visa, including employment, qualifications, registration, remuneration, age, English, health, and character requirements.
Can I apply directly for residence with a Tier 1 job offer?
Potentially. You must have acceptable employment or a qualifying offer from an accredited employer and satisfy every requirement specified for the Tier 1 occupation.
How long must I work in a Tier 2 occupation?
Applicants generally need 24 months of qualifying employment in New Zealand within the applicable timeframe. The employment must meet the occupational and remuneration requirements applying during the relevant period.
Can previous employment count towards Tier 2 residence?
Possibly. This depends on the occupation, dates, remuneration, employer, visa held and instructions applying during the employment period.
Is the Amber List part of the Green List?
No. The Amber List relates to the Skilled Work Experience Pathway under the Skilled Migrant Category. It imposes additional requirements on certain occupations.
Does being on the Red List prevent every residence application?
Describe the item and include any relevant details. Click to edit the text.
Can an Amber List applicant use the Trades and Technician Pathway?
No. Amber List occupations are not eligible under the Trades and Technician Pathway.
What if my job title differs from the occupation listed?
Immigration New Zealand generally considers the actual duties and responsibilities, not only the wording of the title. The position must correspond sufficiently with the relevant occupation.
Can my partner and children be included?
An eligible partner and dependent children may generally be included in a residence application, subject to the requirements of the relevant category.
Get Professional Residence Advice
Occupation lists are only the starting point. Your employment, duties, qualifications, registration, remuneration and work history determine whether a residence pathway is realistically available.
Contact us for a professional assessment of your Green List or Skilled Migrant Category options.