New Zealand Green List: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Residence Guide

New Zealand Green List: Your Complete Guide to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Residence Pathways New Zealand doesn't hide which jobs it needs filled. Through the Green List, Immigration New Zealand publishes a clear, regularly updated list of occupations the country is actively short on, and ties those occupations directly to a faster path toward residence. If your profession appears on it, and you meet the specific requirements attached to your role, you're looking at one of the more direct residence pathways New Zealand currently offers. Here's exactly how it works, what it costs, and which occupations currently qualify. What Is the New Zealand Green List? The Green List is a list of occupations that are in high demand in New Zealand. If your occupation appears on it and you meet the qualification, registration, and experience requirements for that specific role, you may be eligible for a faster pathway to residence than most other work-to-residence routes. Green List roles are split into two tiers, and which tier your job falls under determines which visa pathway you'll use. Tier 1 vs Tier 2: How the Two Pathways Differ Tier 1: Straight to Residence Tier 2: Work to Residence Who it's for Workers with an eligible job offer Workers who've already worked in an eligible role in NZ When you can apply Directly, after securing an eligible job offer After 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand Visa name Straight to Residence Visa Work to Residence Visa Cost From NZD $6,450 From NZD $6,450 Age limit 55 or younger 55 or younger Processing time 80% of applications within 4 months Varies by application Length of stay Live, work, and study indefinitely Live, work, and study indefinitely In short: Tier 1 rewards you for simply having the right job offer. Tier 2 asks for a proven track record, 24 months of work experience in an eligible role, before residence becomes available. Common Green List Occupations The Green List spans a genuinely wide range of professions, not just the healthcare and engineering roles most people assume. Based on current published roles, here are some of the occupations most commonly associated with the list: Sector Example Occupations Healthcare Registered Nurse, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Midwife Engineering & Construction Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Construction Project Manager Surveying Quantity Surveyor, Surveyor Education Secondary School Teacher, Primary School Teacher Finance & Audi