The Green List Pathway to Residence
Straight to Residence & Work to Residence
A general overview of New Zealand's Green List — the list of in-demand jobs that can lead to residence. A Tier 1 Green List job can support a Straight to Residence Visa, while a Tier 2 job can support a Work to Residence Visa after time working in New Zealand. This is general information only, not personalised advice. The Green List, wage rates and requirements change over time; current detail is on immigration.govt.nz, and how the pathway applies to a particular situation is assessed by a licensed adviser.
How the Green List Works
What the Green List Pathway Generally Involves
Tier 1 — Straight to Residence
A Tier 1 Green List job can generally support a Straight to Residence Visa — meaning a person may be able to apply for residence as soon as they meet the requirements, with a job or job offer from an accredited employer.
Tier 2 — Work to Residence
A Tier 2 Green List job generally leads to a Work to Residence Visa after 24 months of relevant work in New Zealand on an acceptable visa, while meeting the applicable wage and role requirements.
A Job With an Accredited Employer
Both pathways generally require a job or job offer for a Green List role with an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand, with the role meeting the conditions set for that occupation.
Qualifications, Registration & Pay
Each Green List role lists its own requirements — these can include a specific qualification, professional registration or membership, and a minimum pay rate. The current requirements for each role are published on immigration.govt.nz.
Age, English, Health & Character
Applicants generally need to be 55 or younger when they apply, meet English-language requirements, and meet the health and character requirements common to New Zealand residence visas.
Including Your Family
These residence pathways can generally include a partner and dependent children, subject to relationship and other requirements confirmed during a review.
Working With VisaPlex
From Green List Role to a Clear Residence Plan
- 1
Map Your Role & Tier
Start in the AVA workspace to organise your occupation, qualification and job-offer details against the general Green List framework, and see whether a role is positioned as Tier 1 or Tier 2.
- 2
Adviser Review
A licensed immigration adviser reviews your situation against the current Green List and residence instructions, and explains the options that may apply.
- 3
Build Toward the Requirements
If a Tier 2 Work to Residence pathway applies, your adviser helps you understand the 24-month NZ work and wage requirements so the time counts toward residence.
- 4
Prepare & Submit
When you are ready, your adviser guides the documents and evidence relevant to your role, then your application is supported through to a decision.
Common Questions
Common Questions About the Green List
Tier 1 Green List roles can generally lead to a Straight to Residence Visa, where you may apply for residence once you meet the requirements. Tier 2 roles generally lead to a Work to Residence Visa after 24 months of relevant work in New Zealand. Whether a role sits in Tier 1 or Tier 2, and its exact requirements, are published on immigration.govt.nz.
Immigration New Zealand publishes the full Green List of occupations, each with its own qualification, registration and pay requirements, and the list is updated over time. You can search the current Green List on immigration.govt.nz, and a licensed adviser can help you understand how a role and its requirements apply to your situation.
Some Green List roles specify their own minimum pay rate; where a role does not, the applicable median wage published by Immigration New Zealand generally applies. Wage rates are reviewed and change over time, so the current figures should be checked on immigration.govt.nz rather than relied on from a fixed number here.
Yes. For the Tier 2 Work to Residence pathway, the 24 months generally needs to be relevant work in New Zealand on an acceptable work visa, while meeting the wage requirements that let the time count. The current rules for counting work experience are set out by Immigration New Zealand.
No. VisaPlex provides general information and an AI-assisted planning workspace. Whether you meet the Green List and residence requirements is personalised immigration advice provided by a licensed adviser.
Next Step
Talk Through a Residence Pathway
Tell us about your occupation or job offer and our licensed adviser will review how the Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence pathways may apply to your situation.