Green List
What is the New Zealand Green List?
The New Zealand immigration system introduced the Green List immigration pathway on 11 May 2022 to streamline and fast-track residency for high-demand skills and occupations facing ongoing shortages in the country. The Green List consolidates several previously separate occupation-based immigration lists and skilled work visa pathways into a single, clearer framework. Applicants whose occupation is included on the Green List, and who meet the required qualifications, work experience, and registration standards, may be eligible to apply for New Zealand permanent residency either immediately upon arrival or after completing two years of skilled employment in New Zealand on an approved work visa. This initiative is designed to attract global talent and address critical labour shortages across key industries through a simplified immigration process.
In addition to the Green List pathway, individuals who do not meet Green List criteria can still pursue New Zealand residency through other options such as the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). The Skilled Migrant Category remains a key route for skilled professionals who have the qualifications, experience, and points required under Immigration New Zealand’s points-based system. Together, these pathways provide multiple opportunities for skilled workers to live and work in New Zealand and eventually obtain permanent residency based on their occupation and eligibility.
Green List Tier 1
Straight to Residence
Straight to Residence Visa: A New Zealand visa enabling eligible Green List Tier 1 occupations to apply directly for permanent residency upon receiving a job offer, subject to occupation-specific requirements.
- Alcohol & Drug Clinician
- Addiction Practitioner
- Ambulance Paramedic
- Anaesthetic Technician
- Anaesthetist
- Audiologist
- Audiometrist
- Cardiologist
- Cardiothoracic Surgeon
- Chiropractor
- Clinical Dental Technician (Dental Prosthetist)
- Clinical Haematologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Clinical Physiologist
- Dental Specialist
- Dental Technician
- Dental Therapist
- Dentist
- Dental Practitioner
- Dental Surgeon
- Dermatologist
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
- Dietician
- Dispensing Optician
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Educational Psychologist
- Emergency Medicine Specialist
- Endocrinologist
- Endodontist
- Enrolled Nurse (Nursing Assistant)
- Gastroenterologist
- General Practitioner
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Industrial Pharmacist
- Intensive Care Specialist
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
- Medical Imaging Technologist
- Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medical Oncologist
- Medical Practitioners nec
- Medical Radiation Therapist
- Midwife
- Neurologist
- Neurosurgeon
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Optometrist
- Ophthalmologist
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Oral Health Therapist
- Oral Medicine Specialist
- Oral Pathologist
- Oral Surgery Specialist
- Organisational Psychologist
- Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Orthodontist
- Orthoptist
- Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
- Orthotist or Prosthetist
- Osteopath
- Other Spatial Scientist
- Otorhinolaryngologist
- Ophthalmologist
- Paediatric Surgeon
- Paediatrician
- Paedodontist
- Pathologist
- Perfusionist (Cardiac)
- Periodontist
- Physicist (Medical)
- Physiotherapist
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
- Play Therapist (Hospital)
- Podiatrist
- Prosthodontist
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologists nec
- Psychotherapist
- Public Health Dentistry Specialist
- Radiation Oncologist
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
- Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
- Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
- Registered Nurse (Surgical)
- Registered Nurses nec
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
- Renal Medicine Specialist
- Resident Medical Officer
- Restorative Dentistry Specialist
- Rheumatologist
- Retail Pharmacist
- Sterilisation Technician
- Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
- Sonographer
- Secondary School Teacher
- Specialist Physician nec
- Special Needs Dentistry Specialist
- Speech Language Therapist
- Surgeon (General)
- Thoracic Medicine Specialist
- Urologist
- Vascular Surgeon
- Veterinarian
- Acoustic Engineer
- Aeronautical (Aerospace) Engineer
- Aeronautical (Aviation) Engineer
- Aeronautical (Avionics) Engineer
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Electrical Engineer
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- Electrician (general)
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Electronics Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Research Scientist
- Industrial Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mechatronics Engineer
- Marine Designer
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Naval Architect
- Product Design Engineer
- Production or Plant Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Telecommunications Engineer
- Telecommunications Network Engineer
- Building Project Manager
- Construction Project Manager
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Project Builder
- Quantity Surveyor
- Site Foreman
- Analyst Programmer
- Developer Programmer
- Database Administrator
- ICT Managers nec
- ICT Project Manager
- ICT Security Specialist
- Software and Applications Programmers nec
- Systems Administrator
- Software Engineer
- Software Tester
- Careers Counsellor
- Chief Information Officer
- Counsellors nec
- External Auditor
- Family and Marriage Counsellor
- Food Technologist
- Genetic Counsellor
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Internal Auditor
- Multimedia Specialist
- Student Counsellor
- Surveyor
- Social Worker
Green List Tier 2
Work to Residence
Work to Residence Visa: For occupations in the Green List Tier 2 category, you can apply for permanent residency after working at least 30 hours per week for 2 years or more.
- Automotive Electrician
- Assistant Dairy Farm Manager
- Backhoe Operator
- Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor)
- Bulldozer Operator
- Crane Operator
- Corrections Officer
- Clinical Physiologist
- Dairy Cattle Farmer
- Dairy Cattle Farm Manager
- Dairy Farm Manager
- Dairy Herd Manager
- Drainlayer
- Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
- Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher – registered
- Excavator Operator
- Gasfitter
- Grader Operator
- Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium Primary School Teacher)
- Loader Operator
- Middle School Teacher / Intermediate School Teacher
- Motor Mechanic (General)
- Motorcycle Mechanic
- Plumber (General)
- Primary School Teacher
- Pouako Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium Primary School Senior Teacher)
- Educational Psychologist
- School Principal
- Halal Slaughterer
- Special Needs Teacher
- Special Education Teachers nec
- Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
- Teacher of the Sight Impairedt
- Telecommunications Technician
- Teacher of the Sight Impaired
Post-Study immigration through the green list
New Zealand immigration introduced the Green List on 11 May 2022 to attract highly skilled migrants in occupations facing ongoing skill shortages. Applicants working in roles on the Green List who meet occupation-specific requirements such as qualifications, relevant work experience, and required licences may apply for residence from 5 September 2022 or after completing two years of employment in New Zealand on a work visa.
The Green List provides a faster pathway to New Zealand permanent residency for eligible occupations under globally aligned residence categories. However, even if your occupation is not included on the Green List, you may still be eligible to apply for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category pathway.
Advantages of Post-Study Immigration
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Achieving an internationally recognised New Zealand degree
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Resolving language barriers through prerequisite English learning and adaptation to the local New Zealand environment.
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Relatively affordable tuition fees and cost of living compared to other English-speaking countries.
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Safe, clean environment and a high quality of life.
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Culture that values work-life balance.
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Part-time work opportunities available during studies to help international students support living expenses and gain practical work experience in New Zealand.
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Post-Study Work Visa available for up to 3 years depending on qualification level after graduation, allowing graduates to gain relevant New Zealand work experience and support longer-term pathways to residence.
Recommended programmes for the green list
What is a New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser?
The immigration adviser system, implemented from 4 May 2009, aims to protect migrants through accurate legal advice from advisers verified by the Immigration Advisors Authority under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and to facilitate fast and efficient immigration processing through cooperation between immigration advisers and Immigration New Zealand. Therefore, when seeking immigration advice or applying for visas in New Zealand, it’s important to first verify that your adviser is a New Zealand government-licensed immigration adviser.
Licensed immigration advisers can be searched on the Immigration Advisors Authority website.
Verify New Zealand Government Licensed Immigration Adviser →
We hope you will safely pursue your study-to-immigration or immigration consultation with Education New Zealand-certified consultants who hold New Zealand government-licensed immigration adviser qualifications, and achieve your dreams in New Zealand together.
