Greenlist List: New Pathway to Residence in New Zealand

The Green List: Simplified Applications and Residence Pathways

The Green List is a list of highly skilled roles that are in high demand globally and in ongoing shortage in New Zealand. It only contains a small number of roles, and the registration, qualification, or experience requirements are available on the Immigration New Zealand website. Employers won’t need to provide proof of advertising for these occupations when progressing an accredited employer work visa job check application.

Eligible migrants working in these occupations will have clear pathways to residence, either through a direct-to-residence application or after working in New Zealand, depending on the role. Both residence pathways will be limited to migrants 55 years or younger, which is aligned with the Skilled Migrant Category requirements. The Green List is not the only pathway to residence available. Other employers will still be able to access skilled migrants, and many of them will also have a pathway to residence through the Skilled Migrant Category.

The Fast-Tracked ‘Straight to Residence’ Pathway

Eligible migrants employed in the roles listed below can come to New Zealand on a work visa from 4 July and apply for residence from September 2022. From September, residence can also be applied for directly from offshore. Minimum salary requirements apply where specified, and these will be indexed to the median wage and change over time.

The Work-to-Residence Pathway

Eligible migrants in certain occupations can apply for residence after two years of working in New Zealand, including anaesthetic technicians, medical laboratory technicians, and teachers with specializations.

Migrants paid at least twice the median wage in other roles can also apply for residence after two years.