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.

The Green List - Skill Shortages in New Zealand

The Green List addresses skill shortages in New Zealand. It opens guaranteed residence pathways for migrants.

The Green List replaces all Skill Shortage Lists, also 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.

What does it mean for you if your profession is on the Green List?

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 status immediately or after 2 years of working in New Zealand.

We can help you take full advantage of this opportunity and secure your long-term stay in New Zealand:

We will develop a visa strategy for you that suits your background and assist you with finding the job that matches the specific visa requirements.

The two fast-track pathways to Residence in New Zealand via the Green List

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 Straight to Residence Visa

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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To 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.

The Work to Residence Visa

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.

To 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

In any case: Whether your profession fulfills Tier 1 or Tier 2 requirements and opens a path to residence via a straight to residence visa or a work to residence visa, you will need a job in New Zealand that aligns with the specific requirements stipulated in the Green List.

Is your role on the Green List?

This is the first question you need an answer to.

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 (status May 2024). To you, only the most up-to-date Green List will be of value.

Your Green List visa strategy and your Green List job search

Ask us to find out if your profession is on the Green List and what qualifications, registration or experience you will need to apply for these residence category visas.

We can tailor a visa strategy for you that will give you your best way forward towards securing your residence status and help you find the job that matches the specific visa requirements.

You may also be interested in:

Do you want to migrate to New Zealand?

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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..!

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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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