Start researching a move to New Zealand and one term will come up again and again: the Green List. It is Immigration New Zealand's list of in-demand jobs linked to two residence pathways. A matching job title alone is not enough: the applicant must also meet the qualification, registration and pay requirements specified for the role. This guide explains the New Zealand Green List and the official checks to make before planning a visa application, based on information reviewed in October 2026.
What Is the Green List? A Two-Tier Priority Roster
The Green List is organised into two tiers, and the occupations and role requirements are set out by Immigration New Zealand. Roles include parts of healthcare, construction, education, engineering, ICT and the skilled trades, but each occupation has its own requirements.
What makes the list so important is that it isn't just a catalogue of jobs with lots of vacancies — it's a system directly tied to visa and residency advantages. If you work in a listed occupation and meet the requirements, you can apply for residency via a much shorter route than usual.
Keep in mind that the list can change. A separate 2026 announcement added 47 National Occupation List (NOL) occupations for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, not automatically to the Green List. The earlier version of this article incorrectly treated those AEWV additions as Green List additions; that statement has been removed. Always use Immigration New Zealand's current Green List search and visa pages.
Tier 1 vs Tier 2: How Far Away Is Residency?
Green List occupations are split into two tiers — and the difference matters enormously.
| Tier | Pathway | When you can apply for residency |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Straight to Residence | Apply for residency right away, provided you meet the requirements |
| Tier 2 | Work to Residence | Apply for residency after working in New Zealand for 2 years |
Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) can allow an eligible applicant who is working in, or has an offer for, a qualifying role from an accredited employer to apply from New Zealand or overseas. The role-specific qualification, registration and wage conditions still apply.
Tier 2 (Work to Residence) requires 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand in a Tier 2 role, on an acceptable visa and at the required pay rate. It is not enough simply to hold a job with a similar title.
Examples of New Zealand Green List occupations
Broken down by field, the listed occupations look roughly like this:
- Healthcare: Registered Nurses (RN) are the flagship Tier 1 occupation. Securing health workers is one of New Zealand's top priorities
- Education: Teachers are also on Tier 1
- Engineering: Many engineering roles qualify for Tier 1
- Construction and trades: A wide range of skilled trades supporting infrastructure development are listed
- ICT: Selected ICT roles are listed, often with specific remuneration and experience conditions
Nurses face their own process, including registration transfer procedures — we cover this in detail in our complete guide to working as a nurse in New Zealand.
How to Check Whether Your Occupation Is Listed
Wondering "is my job on the list?" The only reliable answer comes from the official Immigration New Zealand website. Each Green List occupation has detailed qualification, experience, and registration requirements — a matching job title alone isn't always enough.
- Use the official Green List roles search
- Check the qualification and work experience requirements for that occupation
- Some occupations require separate New Zealand professional registration (for example, Nursing Council registration for nurses)
- Confirm that the employer and job offer meet the conditions for the relevant residence visa
Job titles in your home country don't always map one-to-one onto the English occupation classifications (ANZSCO), so when in doubt, go by what the official website says.
Green List requirements: qualifications, registration and pay
There is no single pay figure that safely describes every Green List role. Some occupations have a stated hourly or annual remuneration threshold; others depend primarily on professional registration or a specified qualification. Tier 2 applicants must also meet the applicable wage requirements throughout the qualifying work period. For that reason, this article does not give one universal threshold. Check the current requirement shown for your exact occupation and visa pathway.
The Green List, the Skilled Migrant Category and the occupation classifications used for an Accredited Employer Work Visa are related parts of the immigration system, but they are not interchangeable lists. Check the pathway named on the official page before relying on an occupation announcement.
See the Green List as One Route Among Many
The Green List is a powerful pathway, but it's still just one route. Depending on your age, work history, and finances, starting with a working holiday or student visa may be more realistic. For the full picture of your options, see our complete guide to moving to New Zealand.
If your occupation is on Tier 1, that might just be New Zealand's way of saying it's waiting for you. Start by checking the official list — it's the first step worth taking.
Fees and policies are subject to change. See Immigration New Zealand's Green List pathway to residence and the current role requirements before acting. For individual advice, use a licensed immigration adviser.