Occupation-based residence pathways
New Zealand Green List
The Green List identifies specified roles with occupation-specific requirements relevant to New Zealand residence pathways. It is not a general list of every job vacancy or a guarantee that anyone working in an industry qualifies.
Enquire About a Green List Pathway
Tier 1: Straight to Residence
A qualifying Tier 1 role may support a Straight to Residence Visa application. The job or offer, employer and requirements attached to the occupation need to align with the resident visa criteria.
Tier 2: Work to Residence
A qualifying Tier 2 role may support the Work to Residence Visa after the required period of qualifying New Zealand work. Count only employment that meets the applicable rules, not simply all time spent employed.
Read beyond the occupation title
The official entry can specify registration, qualifications, experience or pay requirements. Check the exact occupation and duties, not only a similar title used in a job advertisement. An employer's description and a professional registration body's assessment are different kinds of evidence.
Record the date of the official entry you reviewed. When a role or requirement changes, check the commencement and transitional rules before assuming that old work periods or future plans are affected in the same way.
Prepare your occupation evidence
Bring together your job description, qualification details, professional registration status and any New Zealand offer. Identify which requirements you can document and which still need clarification.
Where your qualification is overseas, check whether an assessment or other recognition is required for the purpose you are pursuing. A qualification may be accepted by an employer without automatically satisfying the immigration requirement for a particular occupation.
Consider the alternatives carefully
The Skilled Migrant Category is a separate skilled residence framework. The AEWV is a temporary work category. Not being on the Green List does not by itself answer whether every other visa option is available or unavailable.
Common questions
Is this a state nomination programme?
No. Do not apply Australian state or territory nomination rules to the New Zealand Green List.
Does a listed occupation remove all other requirements?
No. The occupation-specific conditions and the requirements of the relevant resident visa must both be satisfied.
Where is the current official list?
Use Immigration New Zealand's Green List tool linked below. Check the actual entry at the time you are planning or applying.
General information checked 18 September 2026. Official source: INZ: Green List roles and requirements.