New Zealand’s Green List identifies occupations where there is a sustained shortage of skilled workers. If your role is on the Green List, you may be eligible for residence through one of two pathways – Straight to Residence or Work to Residence.
These pathways are designed to make it easier for people in critical occupations to settle in New Zealand long‑term. To qualify, you must have a full‑time job offer (30+ hours per week) from an Accredited Employer, meet the requirements listed for your occupation in the Green List, and meet health, character, and English language criteria.
If your occupation is not on the Green List, you may still qualify for a Skilled Migrant Resident Visa or an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Who the Green List is for
You may be eligible for a Green List Resident Visa if you:
Including your family
You can include your partner and dependent children in your Green List Resident Visa application.
Not sure if you qualify?
Our eligibility assessments provide an overview of the requirements and help you understand whether you may qualify for a Green List Resident Visa, Skilled Migrant Resident Visa, or another pathway.
Tier 1 Green List occupations offer a fast track to residence for roles with a sustained shortage of highly skilled workers.
If your occupation is on Tier 1 and you meet the requirements, you can apply for residence immediately – either from within New Zealand or from overseas.
To be eligible, you must:
Examples of Tier 1 occupations include:
And many more.
Tier 2 Green List occupations allow you to apply for residence after 2 years of skilled work in New Zealand.
This pathway is designed for occupations where New Zealand has ongoing skill shortages but requires applicants to demonstrate sustained experience in the role.
To be eligible, you must:
Examples of Tier 2 occupations include:
And many more