You might have the opportunity to proceed to the
Straight to Residence Pathway or the Work to Residence Pathway.
Find out whether you might be able to proceed to the Straight to Residence Pathway or the Work to Residence Pathway:
External Auditor
Internal Auditor
Construction Project Manager
Project Builder (including Building Project Manager and Site Foreman)
Quantity Surveyor
Surveyor
Aeronautical (Aerospace/Avionics/Aviation) Engineer
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures)
Chemical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineering Technician
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineering Technician
Electronic Engineering Technician
Electronics Engineer
Engineering Professionals nec
Environmental Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Materials Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineering Technician
Naval Architect/Marine Designer
Production or Plant Engineer
Structural Engineer
Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications Network Engineer
Addiction Practitioner / Alcohol & Drug Clinician
Ambulance Paramedic
Anaesthetic Technician
Anaesthetist
Audiologist
Audiometrist
Cardiologist
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Careers Counsellor
Chiropractor
Clinical Dental Technician
Dental Prosthetist
Clinical Haematologist
Clinical Physiologist
Clinical Psychologist
Counsellors NEC
Dental Specialist
Dental Technician
Dental Therapist
Dentist (Dental Practitioner or Dental Surgeon)
Dermatologist
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
Dietician
Dispensing Optician
Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
Educational Psychologist
Emergency Medicine Specialist
Endocrinologist
Endodontist
Enrolled Nurse (Nursing Assistant)
Family and Marriage Counsellor
Gastroenterologist
General Practitioner
Genetic Counsellor
Hospital Pharmacist
Industrial Pharmacist
Intensive Care Specialist
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
Medical Imaging Technologist
Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Oncologist
Medical Practitioners nec
Medical Radiation Therapist
Midwife
Neurologist
Neurosurgeon
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nurse Practitioners
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Occupational Therapist
Operating Theatre Technician
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral Health Therapist
Oral medicine specialist
Oral Pathologist
Oral surgery specialist
Organisational Psychologist
Orthodontist
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Orthoptist
Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
Orthotist/Prosthetist
Osteopath
Otorhinolaryngologist
Paediatric Surgeon
Paediatrician
Paedodontist
Pathologist
Perfusionist (cardiac)
Periodontist
Physicist (Medical)
Physiotherapist
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Play Therapist (hospital)
Podiatrist
Prosthodontist
Psychiatrist
Psychologists nec
Psychotherapist
Public health dentistry specialist
Radiation Oncologist
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
Registered Nurse (Community Health)
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
Registered Nurse (Medical)
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
Registered Nurse (Surgical)
Registered Nurses nec
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Renal Medicine Specialist
Resident Medical Officer
Restorative dentistry specialist
Retail Pharmacist
Rheumatologist
Primary School Teacher
Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium Primary School Teacher)
Middle School Teacher / Intermediate School Teacher
Pouako Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium Primary School Senior Teacher)
Secondary School Teacher
Social Worker
Sonographer
Special needs dentistry specialist
Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
Specialist Physicians nec
Speech Language Therapist
Sterilisation Technician
Student Counsellor
Surgeon (General)
Thoracic Medicine Specialist
Urologist
Vascular Surgeon
Veterinarian
Other Spatial Scientist
Environmental Research Scientist
Food Technologist
Analyst Programmer
Chief Information Officer
Database Administrator
Developer Programmer
ICT Managers nec
ICT Project Manager
ICT Security Specialist
Multimedia Specialist
Software and Applications Programmers nec
Software Engineer
Software Tester
Systems Administrator
Find out what it takes to obtain a Straight to Residence Visa for New Zealand.
Building Associate, Building Construction supervisor
Crane, Hoist or Lifter Operator
Worker Slaughterer
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher – registered
School Principal
Special Education Teachers nec
Special Needs Teacher
Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
Teacher of the Sight Impaired (241513)
Telecommunications Technician
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
Backhoe Operator
Bulldozer Operator
Excavator Operator
Grader Operator
Loader Operator
Paving Plant Operator
Automotive Electrician
Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
Drainlayer
Electrician (General)
Fitter (General)
Fitter and turner
Fitter-Welder
Gasfitter
Metal Fabricator
Metal Machinist
Motor Mechanic (General)
Motorcycle Mechanic
Panelbeater
Plumber (General)
Pressure Welder
Vehicle Painter
Welders
Dairy Cattle Farmer (Dairy Cattle Farm Manager), including Dairy Farm Manager, Assistant Dairy Farm Manager and Dairy Herd Manager
Please note that the Green List is adapted frequently to reflect the evolving New Zealand job market and its skill shortages. New occupations are added, and some may be removed.
Don't worry if your profession is not on one of the two tier lists, or you do not fulfil the relatively strict further policy requirements for a Straight to Residence Visa or a Work to Residence Visa.
You may very well be eligible for a visa under the Skilled Migrant Category or under one of New Zealand's other visa policies.
Ask our Licensed Immigration Advisers about your best visa options for New Zealand:
The reality:
The Green List is a useful framework. But it only works if it is applied correctly.
It is not about whether your role appears on a list.
It is about whether your profile, job offer, and strategy align with the requirements behind that listing.
Final point:
From experience, the Green List is best understood as a structuring tool for your career and migration pathway —not a shortcut.
If approached strategically, it can significantly improve your chances.
If approached casually, it often leads to delays, frustration and missed opportunities.
If you like, we can assess how your profile aligns with the Green List and outline the most suitable pathway for you.
Read Carsten's full article: "Green List roles explained and what this actually means for your job search in New Zealand."
"Unlike other consultancies, your company offered a free webinar and assessment, with friendly staff who communicated openly. The webinar was detailed and informative, and I understand that your company is a fee-for-services provider, but that has not been conveyed as a prerequisite during the decision-making process.”
Maj clearly explained the process and introduced me to the New Zealand job market. The Job Search team coached me until I secured a job, and the Visa team ensured I stayed on track with my documents. Highly recommended for anyone looking to move to New Zealand. Thanks to NZIC from my family and me!
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.
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.
Ask us how you can turn your plans for New Zealand into reality.
