Green List Skilled Resident Visa

A preferred pathway to residence through work

The Green List comprises of occupations that are in very high demand in New Zealand. The category provides employer-supported residence options for migrant workers and is one of the best ways to obtain New Zealand residence. A wide range of occupations are on the Green list, including health workers, veterinarians, engineers, ICT specialists, teachers, and certain trades occupations. The list is expected to see some updates over time but ultimately aims to make it easier to hire skilled migrants by offering a pathway to residence.

Depending on the role you have secured from a NZ Accredited Employer, you will have to meet a certain threshold in terms of qualification, or work experience, or salary.

You will also need to be aged under 56, and yourself, your partner, and your dependent children (from the age of 16) are expected to meet a certain standard of English proficiency.

You may include your partner and dependent child(ren) in your residence application. You and your partner must have lived in a genuine, stable relationship for at least 12 months, and children may be deemed dependent until the age of 24 inclusive (additional evidence of dependency may be required from the age of 20).

Green list occupations

Skilled Residence: 3 pathways

This category is divided into two tiers, with a third, optional pathway for anyone securing a role on a high salary.

Tier 1 Green List occupations: Straight to Residence

If you secure a role from an Accredited Employer in one of the Tier 1 occupations of the Green List, you may be eligible to apply for fast-track residence. This can be applied for from overseas, or from New Zealand.

Certain occupations require that you meet a certain threshold in terms of qualification, or work experience, or salary.

Tier 2 Green List occupations: Work to residence

If you secure a role from an Accredited Employer in one of the Tier 2 occupations of the Green List, you may be eligible to apply for residence after 2 years working in this role, in New Zealand. Your experience can be counted from 29 September 2021.

Certain occupations require that you meet a certain threshold in terms of qualification, or work experience, or salary.

Highly paid roles: Work to residence

If you secure a role from an Accredited Employer and are paid at or above twice the median wage, you may be eligible to apply for residence after 2 years working in this role on that salary, in New Zealand, regardless of the occupation. Your experience may be counted from 29 September 2021.

How about everyone else?

If you secure a role in New Zealand, but it is not on the Green List, and does not meet the high salary threshold, you may still be eligible to apply under the Skilled Migrant Category.

How do I secure a job in New Zealand?

There is a range of strategies we can recommend and assist with, throughout your migration plans. In addition to providing a Job Search package to our full service clients, we are also well connected, with a wide range of employer and recruiter contacts throughout New Zealand, and will endeavour to make connections wherever possible.

Our Job Search Support

What if my role is in Tier 2 instead of Tier 1?

You may apply for residence under the Green List, but Tier 2 occupations only qualify after working for 2 years in this position. Alternatively, you may also be eligible to seek residence under the Skilled Migrant Category.

How long does it take to get a Green List Resident  visa for New Zealand?

Processing times may vary over time and depending on your circumstances, from a few weeks to a few months.

What does this application cost?

For 2022, the advertised fees per family are:

• Band A (NZ): NZD $4,290
• Band B (Pacific): NZD $4,020
• Band C (rest of world): NZD $4,890.

These fees include Goods and Services Tax (GST) and exclude the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

Do I need a Licensed Immigration Adviser to help?

Because the requirements under each Green list occupation are very specific, you need to ensure that all requirements are met. This is why it is essential to have your eligibility assessed by a licensed immigration advisor to ensure you can avoid costly disappointment wherever possible.

What can go wrong on such applications?

There is a long list of examples of how an application could fail. These could be tied to the NZ employer not meeting certain requirements, a discrepancy between the role offered and your profile or background, fine details leading you to not meeting the specific requirements of your applications, character or health concerns

How New Zealand Shores can help

• We can provide a full eligibility assessment from your CV/Resume, to determine the chance of meeting the requirements. This assessment is done by a licensed immigration adviser.
• If you decide to engage with our full service, your personal adviser will manage everything required for the entire process, taking all the stress off your shoulders.
• We may help you find a job in New Zealand
• We will apply for a visa on your behalf. Any temporary visa applications that may be required (such as work visas to allow you to start work while your Green List Residence application is being processed) are included in our price!
• Job search support.
• Advice on CV writing/modifying for the unique New Zealand market.
• Settlement advice and support – we know what life is like in NZ.
• We are based in New Zealand, so can deal with local employers on your behalf – a huge advantage over off-shore immigration consultants.

Take our eligibility assessment