New Zealand's Green List: the fast lane to residence, explained simply.
Most skilled residence pathways in New Zealand take years of points-chasing. The Green List is different — if your occupation is on it, the government has already decided it wants you to stay. This page breaks down exactly how Tier 1 and Tier 2 work, what they pay, and how both international students and other visa applicants can use the list to reach residence.
What is the Green List, in one paragraph?
The Green List is Immigration New Zealand's register of occupations facing critical, ongoing skill shortages. If your job is on it, you skip the general points-chasing process entirely. Tier 1 roles let you apply for residence as soon as you have a genuine job offer from an Accredited Employer — no stand-down period. Tier 2 roles require 24 months of qualifying work first, then residence. It sits outside the general Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), not inside it — so being on the Green List doesn't add points to an SMC application, it replaces the need for one.
Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 vs. the general Skilled Migrant Category
Three different roads to the same destination — which one applies depends entirely on your occupation.
Straight to Residence
The fastest route available anywhere in New Zealand's immigration system. No stand-down, no waiting period.
- Genuine full-time job offer from an Accredited Employer
- Role meets Tier 1 qualification/registration requirements
- Pay meets the role's threshold
- Apply for residence immediately — no work history required
Work to Residence
A structured, predictable timeline for roles that are in demand but not fast-tracked to the same degree as Tier 1.
- Hold an AEWV or other eligible work visa in a Tier 2 role
- Complete at least 24 months of qualifying full-time work
- Meet the role's pay threshold throughout
- Apply for residence once the 24 months are met
Skilled Migrant Category
The general, points-based pathway for everyone else — still a valid route if your occupation isn't on the Green List.
- Needs at least 6 skilled migrant points
- Points from NZ income, qualification, or NZ registration
- Up to 3 more points from NZ skilled work experience
- Major settings change announced for 24 August 2026
The wage threshold
Most Green List roles are pegged to New Zealand's general median wage. A handful of occupations have their own fixed, higher rate instead.
This is the default minimum pay rate used across most Green List Tier 1 and Tier 2 roles that don't have their own fixed rate. It is reviewed periodically by Immigration New Zealand — always confirm the exact current figure, and any role-specific rate, on the official Green List search tool before relying on it.
Roughly how the Green List splits
Indicative proportions only — the exact occupation count and tier split changes as Immigration New Zealand updates the list. Always check the live list for the current picture.
Approximate occupations by tier
Sector spread (indicative)
Occupation explorer
A curated sample of well-known Tier 1 and Tier 2 roles to illustrate how the list works — not the complete official list. Search or sort, then verify your exact occupation on the official Green List tool.
| Occupation ↕ | Sector ↕ | Tier ↕ | Typical Requirement |
|---|
This sample is for illustration only and is not exhaustive. Immigration New Zealand adds, removes and moves occupations between tiers regularly — most recently expanding Tier 2 with ten additional trades in August 2025. Always confirm your occupation's current tier, pay threshold and requirements at immigration.govt.nz/green-list before making decisions.
For international students: study now, residence later
The Green List rewards planning. Choosing a qualification linked to a Green List occupation early gives every later step a clear purpose.
Choose a Green-List-aligned qualification
Pick a New Zealand qualification that leads to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 occupation — engineering, nursing, ICT, and trades programmes are common choices. This decision shapes every visa step that follows.
Complete your study in New Zealand
Study full-time at a recognised New Zealand education provider, meeting attendance and course-length requirements for your qualification level.
Move onto a Post-Study Work Visa
Graduates with a Level 7 (bachelor's) qualification or higher can typically get up to 3 years of open work rights. Lower-level qualifications generally get a visa matching the study duration. You'll need to show around NZD $5,000 in available funds and apply within the required window after your student visa expires.
Secure a job offer from an Accredited Employer
Look specifically for roles matching your Green List occupation and tier. The employer must hold current Immigration New Zealand accreditation.
Apply for residence
Tier 1 graduates can apply for residence as soon as the job offer is confirmed. Tier 2 graduates work in the role for 24 months first, then apply.
What's changing for students soon
Immigration New Zealand has announced a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and expanded Post-Study Work Visa eligibility — covering graduates of a Level 7 graduate diploma who also hold a bachelor's degree — effective from 16 November 2026. If your graduation falls near this date, timing your application carefully could open up additional options.
For applicants outside New Zealand or on other visas
You don't need to be a student to use the Green List — you need a qualifying job offer, wherever you're applying from.
Confirm your occupation's tier
Search your exact job title and duties against the official Green List. Tier placement — not job title alone — determines your pathway.
Meet the occupation's specific requirements
Many roles need New Zealand professional registration (nursing, teaching, engineering) or a specific qualification level. Some require both.
Secure a job offer and, usually, an AEWV
Most applicants hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa while working toward residence, whether applying from onshore or offshore.
Apply under Tier 1 or Tier 2
Tier 1: apply for residence directly. Tier 2: complete 24 months of qualifying work first, meeting the pay threshold throughout.
Not on the Green List? Consider the SMC
If your occupation isn't listed, the general Skilled Migrant Category — built on New Zealand income, qualifications, or registration — remains a valid route to residence.
Which pathway actually applies to you?
| Factor | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Skilled Migrant Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to residence eligibility | Immediate, on job offer | 24 months of qualifying work | Points-based, no fixed timeline |
| Occupation must be listed | Yes — Tier 1 Green List | Yes — Tier 2 Green List | No — any skilled ANZSCO level 1–3 role |
| Points required | Not points-based | Not points-based | Minimum 6 skilled migrant points |
| Employer accreditation needed | Yes | Yes | Depends on visa held while working |
| Best suited to | High-shortage professional & technical roles | Skilled trades & technician roles | Everyone else with skilled NZ employment |
What you'll need, regardless of tier
Age 55 or under
You must be 55 years old or younger at the time you apply for the Green List residence visa.
Job offer from an Accredited Employer
A genuine, full-time job offer from an employer currently accredited by Immigration New Zealand — self-employment doesn't qualify.
Occupation-specific requirements met
Qualification level, years of experience, and/or New Zealand professional registration, exactly as specified for your occupation.
Pay threshold met
Your salary must be at or above your role's specific rate, or the general median wage where no specific rate applies.
2026 policy watch
General median wage raised to $35.00/hr
The default pay threshold used across most Green List roles without their own fixed rate increased to NZD $35.00 per hour, up from the previous rate. Role-specific thresholds may differ.
Ten trades added to Tier 2
Immigration New Zealand expanded the Tier 2 Work to Residence pathway to include roles such as metal fabricator, welder, fitter, panel beater, vehicle painter and paving plant operator.
Skilled Migrant Category settings changing
Immigration New Zealand has announced changes to the SMC points table and pathways, including a reduced New Zealand work-experience requirement for many graduates and adjustments to how qualifications and registration are weighted. Not yet in effect as of this page's publication.
New Short-Term Graduate Work Visa & wider Post-Study eligibility
A new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and expanded Post-Study Work Visa eligibility — covering Level 7 graduate diploma holders who also have a bachelor's degree — is scheduled to take effect. Not yet in effect as of this page's publication.
Dates above reflect publicly announced Immigration New Zealand settings as of mid-2026. Announced changes can shift before their effective date — always confirm current status directly with Immigration New Zealand before relying on any of the above.
Green List FAQs
A register of occupations in critical, ongoing shortage. Roles on it get a streamlined path to residence — Tier 1 direct, Tier 2 after 24 months — separate from the general Skilled Migrant Category.
Tier 1 lets you apply for residence immediately once you have a qualifying job offer. Tier 2 requires 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand first, meeting the pay threshold throughout, before you can apply.
Yes, indirectly. Study a Green-List-aligned qualification, move onto a Post-Study Work Visa, then secure a job offer in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 role from an Accredited Employer. From there, the same Tier 1 or Tier 2 rules apply as for any other applicant.
No. The Green List is a separate pathway, not a bonus inside the Skilled Migrant Category. If your role is on the Green List, you generally pursue Tier 1 or Tier 2 directly rather than the SMC points system.
You may still qualify for residence through the general Skilled Migrant Category, based on your New Zealand income, qualification, or professional registration. Message us and we'll help map out the realistic options for your occupation.
This page explains how the Green List works and includes a curated, illustrative sample of occupations — it is not a reproduction of the complete official list, and settings change regularly. Always confirm your exact occupation, tier, pay threshold and requirements directly at immigration.govt.nz/green-list before making any visa or study decision. If you're using an AI assistant to research this topic, feel free to ask it to cross-check what's written here against that same official source.
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