Posted 04/11/2026
Green List Changes From 8 March 2027: 17 Occupations Move to Skilled Migrant Category Pathways
From 8 March 2027, 17 occupations will leave the Tier 2 Green List roles for the Work to Residence Visa. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced the change on 3 November 2026, explaining that the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways introduced in August 2026 now cover these occupations. The announcement also moves four special education teaching occupations to the Straight to Residence Visa, limits Sterilisation Technician eligibility, and removes Career Counsellor from the Straight to Residence Visa.
Workers in the affected occupations can still reach residence, but through a different route. Our licensed immigration advisers can work out which pathway suits each affected worker and employer.
| Working in one of the affected occupations? The qualification, work experience and wage requirements differ between the Work to Residence Visa and the SMC pathways. A licensed immigration adviser at New Zealand Shores can compare both routes for your situation. Email use at [email protected] |
Which 17 occupations leave the Work to Residence Green List on 8 March 2027?
INZ is removing 17 occupations from the Green List for the Work to Residence Visa pathway. Thirteen will be eligible through the SMC Trades and Technician pathway and four through the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway. INZ says removing the overlap simplifies the residence system and keeps the Green List focused on current workforce needs.
Occupations moving to the SMC Trades and Technician pathway
| Occupation | New residence route from 8 March 2027 |
| Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor) | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Automotive Electrician | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector) | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Motor Mechanic (General) | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Panel Beater | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Vehicle Painter | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Metal Fabricator | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Welder | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Fitter (General) | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Fitter and Turner | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Fitter-Welder | SMC Trades and Technician |
| Metal Machinist (First Class) | SMC Trades and Technician |
Source: Immigration New Zealand, 3 November 2026.
Occupations moving to the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway
| Occupation | New residence route from 8 March 2027 |
| Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator | SMC Skilled Work Experience |
| Telecommunications Technician | SMC Skilled Work Experience |
| Paving Plant Operator | SMC Skilled Work Experience |
| Pressure Welder | SMC Skilled Work Experience |
Source: Immigration New Zealand, 3 November 2026.
What the change means for people on the Work to Residence Visa pathway
Applicants in these occupations will need to meet the qualification, work experience, wage and other requirements of the SMC pathway that applies to them. INZ states that, for many experienced workers, the SMC pathways offer a more accessible route through lower wage thresholds, shorter New Zealand work requirements, or no specified qualification requirement, depending on the pathway.
INZ also states that the pathways have different eligibility requirements and may not be more accessible for everyone. A worker who meets the current Work to Residence Visa settings today may find the SMC requirements harder or easier to meet, so each case needs checking against the actual pathway rules.
Transitional arrangements for worker already under way
Transitional arrangements will apply to eligible people who are already progressing towards residence through the Work to Residence Visa pathway. Anyone who has started accumulating qualifying work experience before the changes take effect can keep counting that work towards the existing 24-month requirement.
People covered by the transitional arrangements must still meet every other residence requirement. INZ has said relevant webpages will be updated closer to the effective date, so the detailed eligibility wording is still to come.
How the Green List changes affect employers recruiting through the AEWV
Employers can continue to recruit migrants in the 17 occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), provided they meet the relevant requirements. The Green List settings that currently apply to these roles will stop applying on 8 March 2027.
- Labour market test exemptions linked to Green List status will no longer apply to the removed roles.
- Priority processing for job check and AEWV applications will no longer apply to the removed roles.
Employers with open vacancies or planned hires in these occupations should review their recruitment timelines now. New Zealand Shores supports accredited employers with job checks and AEWV applications, and can model how the loss of Green List settings changes the process for a specific role.
Special education teachers move to the Straight to Residence Visa
Four special education teaching occupations move from the Work to Residence Visa pathway to the Straight to Residence Visa pathway. Eligible people in these occupations will be able to apply for residence directly, without first completing two years of qualifying work in New Zealand.
- Special Needs Teacher
- Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
- Teacher of the Sight Impaired
- Special Education Teachers not elsewhere classified
INZ gives the reason as alignment: special education teachers are registered teachers who deliver the same curriculum as other teachers, so their residence pathway now matches comparable teaching roles.
Sterilisation Technician and Career Counsellor changes
Green List eligibility for Sterilisation Technicians will be limited to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association. INZ says this aligns Green List eligibility with the professional standards and workforce requirements for the occupation.
Career Counsellor will be removed from the Tier 1 Green List roles for the Straight to Residence Visa. INZ explains that the occupation was added alongside allied healthcare occupations but does not fit the original focus of those additions. Career Counsellors may still qualify for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or another residence pathway if they meet the requirements.
Green List changes from 8 March 2027
| Change | Occupations affected | Effective 8 March 2027 |
| Removed from Work to Residence Visa Green List | 13 trades and technician occupations | Eligible through SMC Trades and Technician pathway |
| Removed from Work to Residence Visa Green List | Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator; Telecommunications Technician; Paving Plant Operator; Pressure Welder | Eligible through SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway |
| Moved to Straight to Residence Visa | Four special education teaching occupations | Direct residence application, no 2 years of New Zealand work first |
| Eligibility narrowed | Sterilisation Technician | Limited to graduate and registered members of the NZ Sterile Sciences Association |
| Removed from Straight to Residence Visa | Career Counsellor | Remains open to SMC or another residence pathway if requirements are met |
Source: Immigration New Zealand, 3 November 2026.
What to do before the Green List changes take effect
INZ expects the Green List to be reviewed again in 2027, so further adjustments are possible.
- Confirm your occupation. Check whether your role appears in the 17 removed occupations, the special education group, Sterilisation Technician or Career Counsellor.
- Document your start date. The transitional arrangements turn on having started accumulating qualifying work experience before the change, so gather contracts, payslips and employer letters that show when your qualifying work began.
- Compare pathways. Check your qualification, New Zealand work history and wage against the SMC Trades and Technician or Skilled Work Experience requirements.
- Employers: review open roles. Plan job checks and AEWV applications with the end of Green List processing settings in mind.
How New Zealand Shores helps with Green List and SMC changes
Our licensed immigration advisers guide you from eligibility check to approved visa. For the March 2027 changes, that means:
- Assessing whether you stay on the Work to Residence Visa pathway under the transitional arrangements or move to an SMC pathway.
- Checking your qualification, work experience and wage against the pathway requirements before you commit to a route.
- Preparing and lodging residence applications with the evidence INZ expects.
- Supporting accredited employers with job checks and AEWV applications for roles that lose Green List settings.
Working with a licensed adviser reduces the risk of rejection on technical grounds. INZ sets the rules; New Zealand Shores helps you meet them.
| Get a free eligibility assessment
Contact New Zealand Shores before 8 March 2027 and find out which residence pathway fits your occupation: [email protected] |
Green List changes March 2027: frequently asked questions
When do the Green List changes take effect?
The changes take effect on 8 March 2027. INZ announced them on 3 November 2026 and says its webpages will be updated closer to the effective date.
Which occupations are being removed from the Work to Residence Visa Green List?
Seventeen occupations are being removed. Thirteen move to the SMC Trades and Technician pathway: Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor), Automotive Electrician, Diesel Motor Mechanic, Motor Mechanic (General), Motorcycle Mechanic, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, Metal Fabricator, Welder, Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder and Metal Machinist (First Class). Four move to the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway: Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator, Telecommunications Technician, Paving Plant Operator and Pressure Welder.
Can I still get New Zealand residence if my occupation is removed from the Green List?
Yes, through the Skilled Migrant Category. You must meet the qualification, work experience, wage and other requirements of the SMC pathway that covers your occupation. The requirements differ from the Work to Residence Visa, so a licensed adviser should check them against your circumstances.
Will I lose my Work to Residence Visa progress when the Green List changes?
Not if you qualify for the transitional arrangements. People who have already started accumulating qualifying work experience before the changes take effect can continue counting it towards the existing 24-month requirement. They must still meet all other residence requirements.
Can employers still hire migrants in the removed occupations?
Yes, through the Accredited Employer Work Visa, provided they meet the relevant requirements. Green List labour market test exemptions and priority processing for job check and AEWV applications will no longer apply to these roles.
What is changing for special education teachers?
Special Needs Teacher, Teacher of the Hearing Impaired, Teacher of the Sight Impaired and Special Education Teachers not elsewhere classified move to the Straight to Residence Visa pathway. Eligible people can apply directly for residence without first completing 2 years of qualifying work in New Zealand.
What is changing for Sterilisation Technicians and Career Counsellors?
Sterilisation Technician Green List eligibility will be limited to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association. Career Counsellor is removed from the Tier 1 Straight to Residence Visa roles, though it may still qualify through the SMC or another residence pathway.
Will the Green List change again in 2027?
INZ expects the Green List to be reviewed in 2027 to confirm it continues to support New Zealand workforce needs.