This guide lists every Tier 1 and Tier 2 Green List occupation as of May 2026, what each tier means for your visa pathway, the qualification and pay requirements that apply to each, and how to know which list your role belongs on.

Quick answer

The Green List has two tiers: Tier 1 occupations qualify for the Straight to Residence Visa (apply directly for permanent residence with a job offer), and Tier 2 occupations qualify for the Work to Residence Visa (apply for residence after 24 months working in the role on an acceptable visa). Both tiers require a job with an accredited employer, the qualifications or registration specified for the occupation, and pay at the applicable wage threshold.

What "Green List" actually means

The Green List is published and maintained by Immigration New Zealand. It is a list of occupations New Zealand has identified as being in shortage and where it wants to attract overseas talent. Being on the list grants the worker:

• Access to fast-tracked or direct residence pathways
• Reduced documentation in some cases
• A clear, occupation-by-occupation eligibility test (instead of the broader points-based Skilled Migrant Category)

The list is split into two tiers, reflecting the level of skill shortage and the speed of residence on offer.

Tier 1 - Straight to Residence Visa

The Straight to Residence Visa is the fastest route to New Zealand permanent residence outside of family or partnership categories. With a Tier 1 Green List job offer from an accredited employer, you can apply directly for residence: no work-to-residence stage, no separate work visa first.

Eligibility (summary):

• Job offer from an accredited employer for a Tier 1 listed role
• The qualifications, registration, or experience specified for that occupation
• Pay at the applicable threshold (occupation-specific where listed; otherwise the immigration median wage NZD $35.00 per hour from 9 March 2026)

Tier 2 - Work to Residence Visa

The Work to Residence pathway is the second-fastest route. With a Tier 2 Green List job offer, you first work in New Zealand for 24 months on an acceptable visa (typically the AEWV) and then apply for residence under the Work to Residence Visa.

Eligibility (summary):

• 24 months work experience in a Tier 2 Green List occupation in New Zealand on an acceptable visa
• Pay at or above the applicable threshold throughout
• The qualifications, registration, or experience specified for the occupation

Tier 1 occupations - Straight to Residence

The Tier 1 list, organised by sector. Specific qualifications, registration, or experience requirements apply to most occupations; the headline ones are flagged below. Always confirm the full requirements for your occupation at immigration.govt.nz.

Healthcare

Engineering

ICT, Software and Telecommunications

Construction and Trades (selected senior / specialist)

Note: many construction trades sit on Tier 2 (Work to Residence), not Tier 1. See Tier 2 list below for the full trades coverage.

Education, Science and Other Professions

Note: Tier 1 list is not exhaustive in this guide. Confirm your specific occupation at immigration.govt.nz before relying on this for an application.

Tier 2 occupations - Work to Residence

The Tier 2 list. Same caveat: requirements per occupation, confirm at immigration.govt.nz. Note the June 2025 additions (Welder, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, Paving Plant Operator and others).

This is a non-exhaustive list. The full Tier 2 list including ANZSCO codes and specific qualification requirements is at immigration.govt.nz Green List roles.

What "qualifications, registration, or experience" actually means in practice

Most Green List occupations require ONE of:

• A specific formal qualification (typically a recognised bachelor's degree or higher)
• Registration with a New Zealand professional body (e.g. Medical Council of New Zealand for doctors, Engineering New Zealand for chartered engineers, Teaching Council for teachers)
• A specified number of years of recognised experience in the occupation (often 5-10 years for senior roles where qualification is not the primary gate)

For overseas qualifications, three things matter:

1. Is your qualification on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA)? If yes, no NZQA assessment needed. The LQEA was expanded on 23 June 2025 to include qualifications from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) among others.
2. If not on LQEA, the qualification needs an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment.
3. Some regulated occupations (medical, nursing, teaching) require registration with a New Zealand professional body before or shortly after arrival. Start that process early - it can take 3-6 months.

How to know if your role is on the Green List

The Green List uses ANZSCO occupation codes (and increasingly the National Occupation List / NOL), not job titles. Two roles with the same job title at different employers may map to different codes - and only one of them might be Green List.

Steps to confirm:

1. Look at your offer letter or job description. Note the duties and qualifications.
2. Use the official ANZSCO occupation / NOL list at immigration.govt.nz to find the code that matches your role.
3. Check if that code is on the Tier 1 or Tier 2 Green List.
4. Talk to a licensed immigration adviser before assuming. A misclassified occupation is the single biggest reason Green List applications are declined.

What if my occupation is NOT on the Green List?

The Green List is one residence pathway, not the only one. If your occupation is not listed:

• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: a points-based residence option for skilled migrants. Open to a wider range of occupations than the Green List.
• Care Workforce and Transport Sector pathways: separate residence pathways for those occupations.
• Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa: if applicable to your situation.
• Accredited Employer Work Visa first, then transition: in some cases, time on AEWV can support a future SMC application.
• New pathways such as Trade and Technician pathway or Skilled Work Experience pathway. See INZ's announced SMC changes.

Talk to us if you are unsure: most clients we see have at least 2 viable residence routes, and the right one depends on age, qualifications, work history, and family situation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Tier 1 lets you apply directly for permanent residence with a job offer. Tier 2 requires you to first work in New Zealand for 24 months on an acceptable visa before applying for residence.

How long does it take to get residence on the Green List?

Tier 1 (Straight to Residence): typically 6-12 months from lodgement to residence grant. Tier 2 (Work to Residence): 24 months on the AEWV plus 6-12 months for the residence application.

What is the minimum pay for a Green List job?

Pay must be at or above the threshold specified for the occupation. Where no specific threshold applies, the floor is the NZ immigration median wage (NZD $35.00 per hour from 9 March 2026). Several occupations have higher specific thresholds.

Do I need a job offer to apply for the Green List residence pathway?

Yes. Both Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) and Tier 2 (Work to Residence) require a job with an accredited New Zealand employer. There is no Green List route without an employer offering a genuine job.

Are care workers on the Green List?

Care workers are on a separate but parallel pathway: the Care Workforce Sector Pathway to Residence. Conditions are similar in spirit to the Green List but the rules differ; check immigration.govt.nz for details specific to care workers.

What occupations were added to the Green List recently?

Ten trades occupations were added to the Tier 2 (Work to Residence) pathway in June 2025: Welder, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, Paving Plant Operator, and others. Earlier additions in 2023-2024 included additional engineering, healthcare, and education roles.

What if my qualification is from outside New Zealand?

If your qualification is on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), no NZQA assessment is needed. As of 23 June 2025, the LQEA includes IIT, IISER, and several other recognised institutions. Otherwise, you may need an NZQA assessment, plus registration with the relevant NZ professional body for regulated occupations.

Can I bring my family on the Green List pathway?

Yes. Tier 1 Straight to Residence covers principal applicant plus partner and dependent children in the same residence application. Tier 2 family members usually come on supporting work or visitor visas during the 24-month qualifying period, then are included in the residence application.

Talk to Kiwi Fern about your Green List application

If your role is on the Green List, or you think it might be, we can confirm your eligibility, build a clean application, and walk you through the qualification or registration process for your occupation.

Book a Paid Consultation

Sources and further reading

• Immigration New Zealand: Green List roles
• INZ: Green List pathway to residence
• INZ: Straight to Residence Visa
• INZ: Work to Residence Visa
• INZ: Wage rates for work visas
• INZ: List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA)
• INZ news 13 June 2025: Ten trades occupations added to Tier 2 pathway

Related reading

• NZ Green List Visa Pathway (pillar)
• NZ Straight to Residence Visa
• NZ Work to Residence Visa
• NZ Work Visa (AEWV) overview
• How to Apply for the AEWV (Step-by-Step)
• New Zealand jobs for Indians
• Engineer Salary in New Zealand
• IT Jobs and Salary in New Zealand