The Green List

Occupations listed on the Green List provide not only a waiver of advertising requirements for the Accredited Employer Work visa, but also either a fast-track to residence or a work to residence pathway. The Green List was developed based on the roles which are in demand/of short supply in New Zealand. If a role is on the Green List and the visa applicant meets the requirements listed, an application can be made for:

• Straight to Residence Visa (Tier 1 roles on the Green List)
• Work to Residence Visa (Tier 2 roles on the Green List)

In addition to these two pathways, there are other work to residence visas where a work visa holder needs to have worked in the role for two years and meet the requirements:

• Highly Paid Residence Visa (although this is being folded into the new Skilled Migrant Category from October 2023)
• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
• Transport Work to Residence Visa

For these visa categories, there are general eligibility criteria that apply such as; being aged 55 or less, minimum English language requirements, work for an Accredited employer or have a job offer from one, meet health and character requirements. The highly paid pathway requires the applicant to have worked in New Zealand for two years earning at least double the median wage throughout.

Tier 1 Green List occupations include various roles in the following industries:

• Business professionals (auditors)
• Construction sector
• Engineering
• Health and Social Services
• ICT, Electronics and Telecommunication
• Primary Industries and Science

Tier 2 Green List occupations include roles in the following industries:

• Agriculture
• Civil machinery operators
• Construction
• Factory process workers (halal slaughterer)
• Teachers
• various trades jobs

Straight to Residence applications can be made now, however the Work to Residence Visa categories will only open from 29 September 2023, with the two year work requirement able to be counted from 29 September 2021.