The Green List addresses skill shortages in New Zealand. It opens guaranteed residence pathways for migrants.
To make New Zealand a highly desirable destination for skilled migrants, professionals on the Green List can now qualify for a fast-track pathway, the Straight to Residence Visa or for a Work to Residence Visa.
The Green List replaces all Skill Shortage Lists, also known as Essential Skills in Demand Lists.
If your role is listed on the Green List and you have the qualifications, registration or experience required, you may be able to get residence immediately or after 2 years of working here.
You might be eligible to apply for this visa if you currently work, or you have a job offer, from an accredited employer, and your role is on Tier 1 of the Green List in-demand.
The Straight to Residence Visa allows you to stay in New Zealand indefinitely. Immigration New Zealand is projecting to process 80% of all Straight to Residence Visa applications within 5 months.
If your profession is in one of these areas you will have access to the Straight to Residence pathway.
You might be eligible to apply for this visa if you currently work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer, and have worked in a Tier 2 Green List in-demand role for 24 months.
On 8 April 2024 the role of Corrections Officer has been added to the roles that qualify for a Work to Residence visa.
Bus and truck drivers who apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on or after 7 April 2024 will not be eligible to apply for a Transport Work to Residence visa.
Those who already hold an AEWV and those who have applied for an AEWV (and are later approved) will still be eligible for a Transport Work to Residence visa.
An employer can complete the job check stage without proof of advertising if the job:
If you are an employer wanting to employ a migrant, ask us how we can help.
*Please note: New Zealand has previously used 3 Skill Shortages Lists that recorded the skill shortages in New Zealand. They were the:
These lists have been replaced by the Green List in-demand.
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