New Zealand Green List Jobs: Eligible Occupations, Courses & PR Pathways

Key Takeaways:

• The Green list jobs in New Zealand were introduced to replace the earlier skill shortage lists in 2022, creating a single framework with clear residency pathways.
• The visa route consists of two tiers – Tier 1 “Straight to Residence” and Tier 2 “Work to Residence” (after 2 years eligible employment).
• The median salary for jobs listed under the New Zealand Green List is NZD $35.00 per hour, as of 9 March 2026.
• High-demand sectors include healthcare, engineering, ICT, education, construction, and primary industries.
• Green List New Zealand occupations receive priority visa processing and offer faster pathways to residency.
• Choosing green list courses in New Zealand can improve your chances of securing eligible employment and residence.

Looking for New Zealand Green List jobs?

New Zealand’s Green List is Immigration New Zealand’s official priority skills list, identifying high-demand occupations eligible for two accelerated residence pathways. Roles on this list offer either a Straight to Residence visa (Tier 1) or a Work to Residence visa (Tier 2), subject to updated salary, qualification, employer accreditation, and age conditions.

Plan Your NZ Admission

What Is Green List in New Zealand?

The Green List New Zealand is a list of high-skilled occupations compiled by Immigration New Zealand. This list was introduced in July 2022 as a successor of previous disjointed lists such as the Long-Term Skill Shortage List and the Regional Skill Shortage List.

The Green List helps in two primary categories for residency: Straight to Residence (Tier 1) and Work to Residence (Tier 2).

Key points about the Green List:

• Focuses on skill shortages in healthcare, engineering, ICT, education, and skilled trades.
• More than half of all Tier 1 jobs are found under Health & Social Services and Engineering.
• Major updates include trade roles added in August 2025 and a median wage increase to NZD $35.00/hour in March 2026.
• Applying for jobs in the Green List will be processed as a priority.
• Requires job offers from accredited employers, meeting qualification, registration, wage, and age requirements.

If you’re a health professional, engineer, ICT specialist, teacher, tradesperson, or a student aiming for these roles, the Green List is essential for your migration planning.

How The Green List Replaced Previous Skill Shortage Lists

Before 2022, there were multiple occupation shortage lists for New Zealand such as LTSSL, Regional Skills Shortage List, and Infrastructure Skills Shortage List, each having different criteria and visas associated with them. This led to uncertainty regarding eligibility for various visas.

The Green List helped in simplifying that with an amalgamation of all these into one single category (see Appendix 13 of Operational Manual of INZ) using ANZSCO codes. In case your occupation is not present on the Green List, there are other ways open to you, such as Skilled Migrant Category or specialized categories for specialists earning high salaries.

This simplification helps both immigration New Zealand and applicants plan with more certainty. One list, two pathways, clear rules.

Green List Visa Pathways: Tier 1 And Tier 2

There are two options for entry under the Green List program, which include Tier 1 where one gets to apply for permanent residency as soon as they have found a job, and Tier 2 where one must first spend 24 months working in New Zealand before applying.

Both need you to meet health, character, English (usually IELTS 6.5), and age (55 or under) requirements.

Tier 1 – Straight To Residence Visa

Tier 1 enables you to get your application for residency right away if you have a qualifying employment or job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand. It covers healthcare, engineering, IT, and education roles.

Common Tier 1 jobs include registered nurses, GPs, software engineers, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and secondary school teachers.

• Full-time, permanent or 12+ month contracts required.
• Employer must be accredited.
• Salary must meet occupation threshold or NZD $35/hr.
• Applicants must be 55 or younger.
• Required qualifications and registrations must be met.
• No local advertising needed for job checks.

Processing takes about 4-5 months. Family can be included; spouses get open work visas.

Tier 2 – Work To Residence Visa

Tier 2 requires that you have worked at least 24 months of eligible full-time employment in New Zealand before making any application for your residency.

Typical Tier 2 jobs include electricians, welders, dairy farm managers, early childhood teachers, and construction supervisors.

Conditions:

• 24 months full-time work within 30 months.
• Continuous accredited employer status.
• Pay must meet or exceed wage rule.
• Job must be on the Green List.

Ideal for students transitioning from post-study visas or workers already in New Zealand.

Key Sectors And Green List Occupations In Demand

Green List jobs in New Zealand focuses on sectors with persistent skill shortages: healthcare, engineering, construction, ICT, education, and primary industries. The list is updated regularly, but the sectors below remain in demand.

The New Zealand green list jobs offer very secure employment opportunities and attractive wages. Most occupations require that the employee earn wages at or higher than the median salary due to wage floor requirements.

NZ Green List Requirements You Must Meet

In order to be eligible for a Green List visa in New Zealand, being able to state that you have a job listed in the Green List is not enough. You need to satisfy certain conditions relating to your occupation, employer, qualifications, and salary requirements, among others.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Occupation and Employer: The job should correspond to a Green List jobs in New Zealand, and your employer should have authorization from Immigration New Zealand.
• Qualifications and Registration: To get a visa you should have appropriate qualifications for the relevant job.
• Salary Requirements: As of March 2026, the average salary for Green List occupations is NZD $35.00 per hour. The salary that you are earning must be equal to or more than this amount or any other particular amount prescribed for your occupation.

Impact Of The Green List On International Students

Green List is very important for international students planning residency. Getting education in areas associated with Green List jobs in New Zealand such as engineers and teachers will increase your chances of obtaining the full visa.

Popular Green List Courses For Students

Choose courses that lead directly to Green List courses in New Zealand occupations. Typical green list-aligned programs include:

• Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing or Medicine (leading to registered nurse, GP roles).
• Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering degrees.
• Software Engineering or Data Science programs.
• Early Childhood or Primary Teaching degrees.
• Graduate Diplomas in Construction or Dairy Farm Management.

Choosing the right course is just the start. Make sure it leads to a Green List job with the right qualifications, registration, and pay.

Step-By-Step: Planning Your Green List Residence Pathway

Here’s the practical roadmap for Green List New Zealand:

1. Confirm your target occupation is on New Zealand’s green list (Tier 1 or Tier 2) via INZ Appendix 13.
2. Check qualification, professional registration, and wage rules for that occupation.
3. Choose a course (if you’re a student) that satisfies the New Zealand Qualifications Framework requirements and leads to registration.
4. Secure a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer, and the contract is permanent or fixed term of at least 12 months.
5. Maintain eligibility: For Tier 2, keep eligible employment for 24 months. For Tier 1, ensure all criteria are met at application time.
6. Apply for the green list resident visa with all documentation.

Common pitfalls: assuming all similar jobs will do, not looking for accredited employers, basing yourself on lower than the threshold salary, or taking courses unlikely to get you on the green list.

Focus your job search on Green List Tier 1 or Tier 2 roles, not general jobs.

Tier 1 requires applying for positions with accredited employers familiar with Straight to Residence visa applicants. In Tier 2, 24 months must be planned with an accredited employer at the necessary wage level.

Check Your NZ Loan Options

Financing A Green List-Aligned Study Plan With Nomad Credit

Planning your education and career strategy around New Zealand Green List Jobs can unlock a rewarding future with faster Residency options and a lot more job security. But the truth is, financing those in-demand courses can be a real struggle.

This is when Nomad Credit, your go-to study in New Zealand consultants, comes into play with a user-friendly, AI-driven portal to help you access over 20 reliable financial institutions and get the best possible loans for yourself.

Start your journey confidently knowing you have the financial support to pursue a Green List-aligned degree and build a successful life in New Zealand.

Admissions Counselling

Get Into Your Dream
Study Destination!

Begin Admission Process