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 two different fast-track visa pathways: the Straight to Residence Visa or the 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 in New Zealand.
Your fast-track to residence in New Zealand
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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Gain residence in New Zealand after two years
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.
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, find out more about how we can help you with the visa formalities of employing a migrant.
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These lists have been replaced by the Green List in-demand.