The Green List

The Green List has been established to make it easier for employers to hire and attract migrants for specified high-skilled, hard-to-fill occupations, with guaranteed residence pathways for eligible people.

The Green List provides a fast-track to residence and a work to residence pathway for migrants.

The Green List replaces all Skill Shortage Lists, also known as Essential Skills in Demand Lists.

What does the Green List mean for migrants to New Zealand?

Some occupations that can provide a fast-track to residence

Migrants who are eligible and have work in any of the jobs on the Green List can come to New Zealand on a work visa and apply for residence.

Roles qualifying for a fast-track to residence, as set out in the original Green List:

  • Construction roles
  • Engineering roles
  • Certain health and social services roles
  • Primary industries and science roles
  • ICT, electronics and telecommunication roles

Roles added to Green List work to residence tier from March 2023

  • Civil construction supervisors
  • Gasfitters
  • Drain layers
  • Skilled crane operators
  • Skilled civil machine operators
  • Halal slaughterers
  • Skilled motor mechanics
  • Skilled telecommunications technicians
  • All secondary school teachers (in addition to the specialisations already on the Green List)
  • Primary school teachers

Roles added to Green List straight to residence tier Registered nurses (on 15 December 2022)

  • Midwives (on 15 December 2022)
  • Specialist doctors not already on the Green List (on 15 December 2022)
  • Registered Auditors (from March 2023)

Bus & truck drivers

Bus and truck drivers will have a time limited residence pathway through a sector agreement.

  • Cabinet has agreed in principle to develop a sector agreement to support workforce needs
  • Officials will consult with transport sector representatives in the development of the agreement

What does the Green List mean for New Zealand employers?

If a role is on the Green List, an employer can complete the job check stage withouth proof of advertising, as long as the minimum requirements for the role at least match the minimum requirements on the Green List.

If you are an employer wanting to employ a migrant, ask us how we can help.

What do these changes mean for you as migrant?

To find out if you might qualify for a fast-track to residence, or for a work to residence pathway under the new legislation, join our Immigration & Job Hunt Webinar, where our Principal Licensed Immigration Adviser Dr.Carsten Hallwass and his team will explain the implications of the latest changes, and what it will take for you to obtain a visa for New Zealand and find a job.

The Skilled Migrant Category: This pathway is now open once again for skilled migrants. Selections of Expressions of Interest have resumed.

The existing skills shortage lists will be replaced by the Green List.

What will happen to the skills shortage lists, the Long-Term Skill Shortage List, Regional Skills Shortage List, and Constructions and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List?

The existing skills shortage lists will be replaced by the new Green List.

This means any roles that are currently on a skills shortage list, but not on the Green List won’t be exempt from a labour market test unless they pay at least 200% of the median wage.

The Skill Shortages Lists;
also known as Essential Skills in Demand (ESID) Lists

Well qualified and experienced professionals are needed in New Zealand. The occupations on the Essential Skills in Demand Lists recognise the need for overseas professionals in different industries and areas of New Zealand.

New Zealand's Skill Shortages Lists:

- The Long Term Skill Shortages List
- The Regional Skill Shortages List
- The Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortages List

The Essential Skills in Demand Lists are based on industry feedback.

Many industries in New Zealand experience ongoing shortages of skilled professionals, and as a result businesses are unable to fill key positions and thrive to their full potential.

To enable New Zealand's economy to grow, New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) identifies these skill shortages based on feedback from key industries and publishes their findings in three Skill Shortages Lists.

The Skill Shortages Lists are reviewed regularly, with updated contributions from various industry groups.

Why does it matter whether your professional expertise is on one of these Skill Shortages Lists?

If your profession is on the lists, you will have an advantage

The lists are relevant for your visa application and also play an essential role for your job search in New Zealand.


The skill shortage lists give you a good indication if you want to find out whether: you can claim bonus points for your Expression of Interest, you can fast-track your work visa, or your profession is in high demand in the New Zealand job market

Is your profession on one of the latest Skill Shortage Lists?

Find out if your skills are listed in one of the Skill Shortages Lists.
If you can find your occupation on one of the Skill Shortages Lists, you will have a decisive advantage for your visa application and potentially for your job search as well.


The

Long Term,

Regional,

and Construction + Infrastructure

Skill Shortage Lists:

Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL)
>

The Long Term Skill Shortage List identifies occupations where there is a sustained and on-going shortage of highly skilled workers throughout New Zealand. This list covers shortages across the whole country, not by specific region, unlike the Regional Skill Shortage List.

  • If you get a job offer in an occupation on the LTSSL and meet the list requirements, you may be granted a work visa under the Work to Residence category.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for residence in two years, provided you meet standard requirements, and that job has a base salary of at least NZ$45,000.
  • If your qualification is on the LTSSL, it is likely that you qualify for bonus points for your Expression of Interest if you apply for a resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category.
The Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL)
>

The Regional Skill Shortage List names particular regions of New Zealand. It includes occupations where skilled workers are immediately required and no New Zealanders available to take up the position.

  • The list shows 15 regions throughout New Zealand, where specific occupational demands have been identified.
  • If you are offered a job on the RSSL and meet the list requirements you may be granted an Essential Skills work visa.

This means that you are permitted to work in New Zealand temporarily. You won’t necessarily be able to apply for residence.

  • If your profession is listed, you can assume that there is a high demand for your skills and that not enough New Zealand citizens or residents are available to fill the skill gap.
Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL)
>

The Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List identifies specific occupations needed in the construction industry across New Zealand.

  • If your occupation is on the CISSL, you may be granted an Essential Skills Work Visa, and faster processing of your work visa application will be guaranteed if you are offered a job on the CISSL and meet all further list requirements of the visa policy.
  • Some of these construction occupations are also on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
    If your skills appear on the CISSL, and the occupation also appears on the LTSSL, you may be eligible to apply for residence in two years, provided you meet standard requirements, and that occupation has a base salary of at least NZ$45,000.

You can get bonus points for your EOI

If your skills are on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, they are considered to be "in an area of absolute skill shortage" and as a result you will be able to claim bonus points for your Expression of Interest.

You will be eligible for:

  • 10 bonus points for skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment
  • 10 bonus points for 2-5 years recognised work experience
  • 15 bonus points for 6 yeara or more recognised work experience

The Labour Market Test

If your occupation is listed on the Skill Shortage Lists, your New Zealand employer will not have to prove that no New Zealander can be found to fill the role offered to you.

This will obviously be a considerable advantage, as labour market testing is a highly complex and bureaucratic process.

Pathway to Residence in New Zealand

If you have held a work visa that was granted under the Long Term Skill Shortage List policy, you may be able to apply for a resident visa.

To be eligible for a resident visa under this policy, you must:

  • Have held a work visa granted under the LTSSL work policy for a period of at least 23 months
  • Have employment with a minimum base salary for NZ$45,000 per annum that is either:
    in an occupation that was on the LTSSL when you were granted a work visa under this policy; or
    in an occupation that is on the LTSSL at the time your application for a resident visa is made;
  • Hold full or provisional registration, if full or provisional registration is required to practice in the occupation in which you are employed in New Zealand; and
  • Meet health and character requirements

You may also be interested in:

Do you want to migrate to New Zealand?

Base your move on solid grounds: Ask us for a Free Assessment and join our Immigration Webinar.

Migrate from South Africa
Migrate from the UK
Migrate from the US
USA flag symbol

“In contrast to another Immigration consultancy that we contacted, your company offered a free webinar and an assessment, warm, approachable staff that communicates openly with potential customers. I found your website and it was very detailed and informative. 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.”

CJ
USA
indonesian flag symbol

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

AF
Indonesia
german flag symbol

NZIC helped me in my way to get a Visa and 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. And even when they had changes in employee and advisors, they always stayed professional and up to date. I can only say good things and recommend them highly.

CK
Germany
south african flag symbol

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.

BV
South Africa