Green List
Straight to Residence / Work to Residence pathway
To attract skilled migrants and bolster the country’s economy, the Government has introduced a Green List – a list of high-skilled occupations in New Zealand that are in high demand and have a shortage of workforce. This list offers a pathway to residence for a range of skilled migrants.
If you are working for, or have a job offer from an accredited employer and your role is on the Green List, you may be eligible for a residence visa under this pathway.
There are two distinct pathways available, each tailored to different scenarios:
Tier 1 roles (Straight to Residence)
If you are currently working for, or have a job offer from an accredited employer for an occupation listed in Tier 1 and meet the specified qualifications, registration and salary requirements, you are eligible to apply for the Straight to Residence Visa.
This pathway is designed for candidates who already have a Tier 1 job offer and meet the necessary criteria.
Tier 2 roles (Work to Residence)
If you are currently working for, or have a job offer from an accredited employer for an occupation listed in Tier 2 and meet the specified qualifications, registration and salary requirements, this pathway is the right choice for you.
However, there is an additional requirement – you must have worked for 24 months in a Tier 2 role. You can apply once this additional criteria is met.
Checking whether a role is on the Green List
You can check whether a role is on the Green List at this web address:
There are several other requirements you must meet before applying:
- Be 55 years old or younger at the time of application
- Provide evidence of meeting the English language requirement
- Character and health requirements
Including your family in your application
You can include your partner and your dependent children aged 24 or younger in your application. The partner and children aged 16 or older also need to show evidence of English language requirements. Evidence needs to be provided to show that the principal applicant and their partner have lived together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months.
Depending on the age of any children included in the application, financial dependency evidence may be required. If any child to be included is under 16 years of age and their biological parents are separated or divorced, evidence of the right to remove the child from their country of residence will also be required.
How Pacific Legal Can Help
If you have a job offer from an accredited employer for an occupation on Green List, and wish to make the move to obtain residency in New Zealand, contact us today for an assessment against the current criteria. Our experienced immigration team will:
- Assess your eligibility for a Green List pathway visa.
- Provide comprehensive application support.
- Navigate any complexities regarding dependent children’s applications.
Stay informed with the latest updates and expert guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. Reach out to Pacific Legal today to start your journey
