Policy verified from immigration.govt.nz as of 2026-04-13
The New Zealand Green List is an immigration pathway for skilled workers in occupations the country needs most. Tier 1 provides immediate eligibility for residence. Tier 2 provides a pathway to residence after 24 months of qualifying employment in New Zealand.
Source: immigration.govt.nz — 2026-04-13
Two Tiers to Residence
Tier 1 — Straight to Residence
If your occupation is on Green List Tier 1 and you have a job or job offer from an accredited employer, you may be eligible for a Straight to Residence Visa without needing to complete a qualifying work period in New Zealand first. Target professions include nurses, IT specialists, and engineers.
Tier 2 — Work to Residence
Tier 2 occupations provide a pathway to residence after 24 months of employment in a recognised role. You work in New Zealand on a work visa first, then apply for residence once you meet the qualifying period.
In-Demand Sectors
- Healthcare: Nurses, doctors, medical professionals
- Technology: Software engineers, IT specialists, developers
- Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers
- Construction: Project managers, quantity surveyors
- Other skilled roles as listed on immigration.govt.nz
How ProVisas Helps
- We check whether your occupation qualifies for Tier 1 or Tier 2
- We prepare your application to maximise your chance of approval
- We coordinate with your employer on accreditation and job check requirements
- We manage the full pathway from work visa to residence application
The Green List is the fastest route to New Zealand residence for qualifying occupations. But the list changes — what qualifies today may not qualify tomorrow. A licensed adviser keeps your application aligned with current policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Green List is a fast-track immigration pathway for people working in occupations New Zealand needs most. It has two tiers: Tier 1 (straight to residence) and Tier 2 (residence after 24 months of work).
In-demand occupations include healthcare roles (nurses, doctors), IT specialists, engineers, and other skilled professionals. The list is updated periodically — check immigration.govt.nz for the current version.
Yes. Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 require a job or job offer from an accredited employer in a Green List occupation. The difference is that Tier 1 allows you to apply for residence straight away, while Tier 2 requires 24 months of qualifying work first.
Tier 1 can lead to immediate residence. Tier 2 requires 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand before you can apply for residence.
Yes. Green List visa holders can typically include their partner and dependent children in their residence application.
