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New Zealand's Covid Timeline

See how New Zealand's borders are gradually re-opening since our country went into full lockdown in March 2020.

July 2021

300 border exemptions for qualified teachers announced

100 border exemptions for refugees, renewing every six weeks

June 2021

200 border exemptions for dairy workers and vets announced

300 border exemptions for recognised seasonal workers, renewing every month

May 2021

Borders open to Rarotonga

Border exemptions for high net worth Investors announced

April 2021

Borders open to Australia

Border exemptions for families of onshore migrants to reunite announced

March 2021

More than 1000 foreigners have been cleared to enter Aotearoa to attend the 36th America's Cup

February 2021

Immigration NZ announces Approval in Principal (AIP) decisions on Investor applications to continue

January 2021

1000 border exemptions  for international students announced (to arrive from March)

December 2020

2000 border exemptions for workers in the jorticulture industry announced

October 2020

General border exemptions for temporary work visa holders who have a strong ongoing connection with New Zealand announced

June 2020

7000 exemptions made under new 'Critical Worker' Category; allows critical migrant workers with skills not available in NZ, across the border

May 2020

Border exemptions for International film crews to arrive in New Zealand

April 2020

Critical Health Worker and Other Critical Worker Exemptions announced, to allow those working in health, and those with 'unique experience, and technical or specialist skills not obtainable at all in NZ' into the country

March 2020

New Zealand announces a complete lockdown. All borders are closed.

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Skill Shortages in New Zealand - The Green List

New Zealand has significant skill shortages in a wide range of sectors.

To address skill shortages and help New Zealand businesses fill their roles, the Green List has been established.

The Green List replaces all former Skill Shortage Lists, previously known as Essential Skills in Demand Lists: the Long Term Skill Shortage List, the Regional Skill Shortage List and the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List.

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‍The Green List - What does it mean for you if you want to move to New Zealand?

The Green List opens two guaranteed residence pathways for migrants.

If your role is listed on the Green List, and you have the qualifications, professional registration or experience required, you may be able to get residence status immediately or after 2 years of working in New Zealand.

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The two guaranteed pathways to Residence in New Zealand via the Green List:

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1. Your fast-track to residence in New Zealand - The Straight to Residence Visa

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.

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Can you qualify for a Straight to Residence Visa?

  • You must be 55 or younger.
  • At the time you apply, you must be working for, or have a job offer from an accredited employer.
  • An accredited employer is an employer who has been approved by Immigration New Zealand to employ workers on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
  • Your role must be on Tier 1 of the Green List and meet the requirements set out in the Green List for your role.
  • Older dependent children under 24 in your application must be single, without children of their own, and only supported financially by you.
  • You can either come to New Zealand on a work visa now and apply for the Straight to Residence Visa, or apply from outside New Zealand.

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2. Gain residence in New Zealand after two years - The Work to Residence Visa

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.

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Can you qualify for a Work to Residence Visa?

  • At the time you apply, you must be working for, or have a job offer from an accredited employer.
  • Your employment must be full-time, and permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months.
  • You must have worked for 24 months in a Green List Tier 2 in-demand role.
  • If your partner or children have, or have applied for, visas to study, work or visit based on their relationship with you, you must include them in your application.


You need a job in New Zealand

Is your profession on the Green List? Is it on Tier 1 or Tier 2?

These are the first questions you need answered.

The Green List is constantly changing, with new roles added as skill shortages are identified and roles taken off as they are no longer relevant to fill gaps in the labour market. ‍Currently, there are 205 roles on the Green List.  

In any case, whether your profession fulfils Tier 1 or Tier 2 requirements and provides a path to residence via a straight-to-residence visa or a work-to-residence visa, you will need a job or a job offer in New Zealand.

The job or job offer must align with the specific requirements stipulated in the Green List.

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Your Green List visa strategy and your Green List job search approach.

If your profession is on the Green List, no matter whether Tier 1 or Tier 2 applies to you, you will have a significant advantage for your migration process. ‍

Ask us to find out if your profession is on the Green List, whether Tier 1 or Tier 2 might apply,  and what qualifications, registration or experience you will have to show to be eligible for these residence category visas.

Use your full professional potential and take advantage of the options offered to you via the Green List.

We can tailor a visa strategy for you and help you find the job that matches the specific visa requirements.

Choose your best way forward towards securing your residence status in New Zealand.  

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The Skill Shortage Lists
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Maj kindly explained the whole process and what to expect. I was introduced to New Zealand job market by their Job Search team, and coached until I got a job. The Visa team would follow me up on my pending documents, so I never felt left out. Truly recommended for those seeking a way to live in New Zealand. Big thanks from me and my whole family for the things NZIC did for us..!

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Indonesia
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NZIC helped me on my way to get a Visa and with my job search. They were always available to talk to and were open to all sorts of questions. No matter how random they were. Very friendly staff. They always stayed professional and up-to-date. I can only say good things and recommend them highly.

CK
Germany
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Very pleased and satisfied with the service we received from NZIC. They assisted me and my family from start to finish. Always willing to assist, and communicated our progress every step of the way. With their assistance we managed to obtain permanent resident visa status.

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South Africa

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