GREEN-LIST

Green List Residence Pathways (Tier 1 and Tier 2)

Green List residence for skilled workers in shortage roles. Tier 1 grants residence on approval; Tier 2 needs 24 months of qualifying NZ employment first.

Tier 1 vs Tier 2: picking the right pathway

The Green List operates as a 2-tier structure, with materially different residence timelines:

Tier 1: Straight to Residence

Residence granted on visa approval
No prior NZ-work period required
Onshore or offshore application both available
Typical processing: 80% within 5 months from lodgement
Reserved for the highest-shortage occupations: medical specialists, senior IT roles, specific engineering disciplines

Tier 2: Work to Residence

24 months of qualifying NZ employment in a Tier 2 role required before the residence application
Typically built on an AEWV with an accredited employer during the 24-month period
Once 24 months complete, residence application lodged at standard residence processing timeline
Covers occupations where workforce demand is steady but residence is conditioned on demonstrated NZ contribution

From 24 August 2026, Immigration New Zealand is changing how it calculates wage rates for Tier 2 Work to Residence visas: you only need to be paid the rate in place when you started counting work experience, with no higher rate required at residence or when you change employer. See Work to Residence wage rule changes from 24 August 2026 for the detail.

For most applicants, the right question isn’t “Tier 1 or Tier 2?”; it’s “what does the Green List currently say for my specific ANZSCO code?” The list changes; what was Tier 2 last year may be Tier 1 this year (or removed entirely). Always check the live INZ list before committing to a pathway.

When the list changes mid-application

INZ periodically reviews and updates the Green List. The general rule under transitional arrangements: qualifying work already completed before a list change is typically preserved, but new applications must meet the new list. The exact treatment depends on the date of the change and the date of your application. If you’re in the middle of a Tier 2 24-month period and the list changes, get advice: the calculation of what counts versus what doesn’t is rarely intuitive.

Eligibility

Green List occupation, Tier 1 or Tier 2

Your job must appear on the current INZ Green List, either as a Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) occupation or a Tier 2 (Work to Residence) occupation. The list is reviewed periodically: occupations are added, removed, and re-tiered. Confirm your specific ANZSCO code's current tier on INZ before relying on Green List eligibility.

Job offer with an accredited employer

You need a current job offer from a New Zealand employer holding AEWV accreditation. The job must match the ANZSCO code on the Green List, and the offered terms must meet the Green List job-specific requirements (which can include qualification, registration, professional membership, or wage).

Wage threshold

Minimum NZD $35.00 per hour (the median wage, effective 9 March 2026), or the job-specific rate published on the Green List for your occupation, whichever is higher. Some Green List occupations have specific wage rules that override the general median; check your occupation's entry for the exact rule.

Tier 2: 24 months qualifying work

Tier 2 (Work to Residence) requires 24 months of New Zealand employment in a Green List Tier 2 role before you can apply for residence. The 24 months can be completed in multiple stretches within a 30-month lookback window, for example, two 12-month periods with a 6-month gap. You typically build this period on an AEWV before applying for the Work to Residence visa.

Qualifications and registration

International qualifications generally need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA. Qualifications under the Washington or Sydney Accord don't require IQA. Occupations requiring professional registration (medical practitioners, engineers, nurses, teachers) must hold the relevant NZ registration before the visa can be granted.

Age, health, character, English

Maximum age 55 at the time of application. Health: medical examination and chest X-ray. Character: police certificates less than 6 months old from every country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years. English: must speak and understand English to the standard set for the visa category.

Documents required

Passport, valid for at least 3 months beyond planned arrival
Visa photographs meeting INZ standards
Job offer letter and employment agreement from an accredited employer
Position description matching the Green List ANZSCO code
Tier 2 only: employment history evidencing 24 months of qualifying NZ work in a Green List Tier 2 role (employer letters, payslips, IRD records, AEWV visa records)
Wage evidence (current employment agreement, payslips, IRD income summary) confirming the median-wage or job-specific rate
Qualification certificates plus NZQA International Qualification Assessment where required
Occupational registration evidence (NZRC, NZRN, Engineering NZ, Teaching Council, etc.) where the Green List job requires it
Medical certificate and chest X-ray (less than 3 months old at lodgement)
Police certificates (less than 6 months old) for every country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years
English language evidence (test results or recognised exemption evidence)
Partner and dependent children documents if included: birth certificates, marriage certificate, relationship evidence

Fees & timeline

Fees

INZ application fee: From NZD $6,450 for the residence application. Tier 2 applicants also pay AEWV fees during the 24-month qualifying employment period preceding the residence application.

ProVisas advisory fee: Fixed-fee per case where the occupation tier and job offer are clear; time-based for complex matters (registration disputes, qualification recognition issues, period-of-work calculations for Tier 2). Specific fees disclosed at consultation and confirmed in your engagement letter.

INZ government fees are passed through at cost. We don't mark up government charges.

Typical timeline

Tier 1 (Straight to Residence): 80% processed within 5 months from lodgement. Tier 2 (Work to Residence): 24 months of qualifying employment required before the residence application can be lodged, then INZ's standard residence processing timeline applies to the residence decision.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Tier 1 occupations grant residence on visa approval, with no NZ-work period required before applying. Tier 2 occupations require 24 months of qualifying NZ employment in the Tier 2 role before the residence application can be lodged. Tier 1 is typically reserved for the highest-shortage occupations (medical specialists, certain engineering disciplines, IT roles); Tier 2 covers the next layer where workforce demand is steady but residence is conditioned on demonstrated NZ contribution.

How do I check if my occupation is on the Green List?

INZ publishes the current Green List on the Green List occupations page. Search by ANZSCO code (the official occupation classification), not by job title, since job titles vary across employers and the ANZSCO code is what INZ uses for tier determination. If your job title isn't on the list but your ANZSCO code is, you're on the list. The list is reviewed periodically; check the most recent version each time.

Does AEWV work experience count toward the Tier 2 24-month requirement?

Yes, provided the AEWV employment was in a role with an ANZSCO code currently on the Green List Tier 2, met the wage threshold throughout, and was with an accredited employer. The 24 months can be accumulated in multiple stretches within a 30-month lookback window, so a brief gap (job change, employer accreditation lapse) doesn't restart the count if the cumulative qualifying period reaches 24 months.

What if my Green List occupation moves between tiers during my 24-month period?

If a Tier 2 occupation gets promoted to Tier 1 mid-period, you may be able to apply for Straight to Residence sooner. If a Tier 2 occupation is removed from the list mid-period, the qualifying work already accumulated is typically preserved under transitional arrangements, but the exact treatment depends on the date of the list change. Talk to a licensed adviser about your specific situation if the list changes during your qualifying period.

Do I need to be in New Zealand to apply for Tier 1 Straight to Residence?

No. Tier 1 can be applied for from offshore or onshore. You do need a current job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer, but the application itself can be lodged before you arrive. Tier 2, by contrast, requires you to have completed the 24 months of qualifying NZ work, which means you must have been onshore for that period before the residence application can be lodged.

What if my qualification was earned overseas?

International qualifications generally need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA before the residence visa can be granted. Qualifications under the Washington Accord (engineering) or Sydney Accord (engineering technology) are exempt. Occupations requiring professional registration (medicine, nursing, teaching, engineering) need NZ registration in addition to the IQA: the IQA confirms your qualification level; the NZ registration confirms you can practice.

Related visas

AEWV

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's primary skilled work visa, tied to an accredited employer. Substantial 2025 reforms apply.

View Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

SMC6

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC6)

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC6) is New Zealand's points-based residence pathway, scored across registration, qualifications, income, and work experience.

View Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC6)

PERMANENT-RESIDENT

Permanent Resident Visa

Permanent Resident Visa: residence with no expiry or travel limits, available after 2 years on a Resident Visa meeting one of five commitment methods.

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