The Green List is a curated set of high-demand occupations. Tier 1 occupations qualify for fast-track residence; Tier 2 qualify for residence after 24 months of qualifying employment. Coverage spans construction, engineering, health, primary industries, and ICT.
The Green List is a curated set of occupations experiencing sustained demand throughout New Zealand. For roles on this list, employers can complete Job Checks without advertising proof, and workers get expedited pathways to residence.
Confirm specific occupation codes on INZ’s published Green List before lodging — the list is reviewed periodically.
Tier 1 roles provide immediate eligibility for residence. The sectors covered include:
Tier 2 roles provide residence after 24 months of qualifying employment in the role. Coverage includes additional health, trades, and agriculture occupations.
New Zealand offers high quality of life, strong employment protections, competitive salaries, and a welcoming environment for skilled migrants. The Green List is the policy mechanism that signals which occupations the country is actively short on — and therefore where the residence pathway is most direct.
To confirm your specific occupation qualifies for Tier 1 or Tier 2, check the current INZ Green List published at immigration.govt.nz. The job-offer + accredited-employer combination is essential — Tier 1 doesn’t bypass the AEWV requirement, it accelerates the residence step that follows it.
Last reviewed . Information may have changed since this article was reviewed. For your specific case, talk to a licensed immigration adviser.