Check your Green List occupation pathway

What the checker does

The Green List occupation checker helps you quickly compare your occupation against the broad categories used in New Zealand's Green List residence settings. It is built for migrants who want a plain-English starting point: whether a role may be listed, whether it may be treated as Tier 1 or Tier 2, and what kinds of questions you may need to answer next.

Use it as a first filter, not a final answer. In practice, Green List eligibility is rarely just about a job title. Immigration New Zealand may look at the exact role, duties, pay, qualification level, occupational registration, employer details and whether you meet the specific Green List requirements for that occupation. Two people with similar job titles can have different outcomes if their duties or credentials are different.

The checker can help you prepare for a more useful conversation with a licensed adviser by giving you prompts such as:

- whether your occupation may appear on the Green List; - whether it may sit under a straight-to-residence or work-to-residence pathway; - whether registration, qualifications or experience may be important; - whether your next step may be a work visa, residence planning, or a broader eligibility review.

For deeper background, you can also read Yimin's overview of [Green List occupations](/green-list-occupations/) and how the list connects to New Zealand residence pathways.

How Tier 1 and Tier 2 differ

The Green List is commonly discussed in two parts: Tier 1 and Tier 2. The exact policy wording can change, so you should always confirm the current rules with Immigration New Zealand or a licensed adviser before making decisions.

In broad terms, **Tier 1** occupations may provide a more direct residence route for people who meet the listed requirements. This is often described as a straight-to-residence pathway. It can be especially relevant if you already have a qualifying job or job offer in New Zealand and you meet the occupation's specific criteria.

**Tier 2** occupations are generally linked to a work-to-residence style pathway. That usually means you may need to work in New Zealand in an eligible role for a required period before applying for residence under that pathway. The role, employer, pay, and the specific Green List requirements still matter.

The difference matters because it affects timing and planning. A Tier 1 result may suggest that residence could be considered earlier if all requirements are met. A Tier 2 result may suggest you need to plan a New Zealand work pathway first, often involving an Accredited Employer Work Visa or another suitable visa depending on your situation.

It is also important to understand that Green List is only one part of the residence landscape. Some people may be better suited to the Skilled Migrant Category, a partner-based pathway, or another visa route. If your occupation is not listed, it does not automatically mean New Zealand is closed to you. It simply means you may need to look at other options. For a clearer comparison, see our guide to [Green List Tier 1 vs Tier 2](/green-list-tier-1-vs-tier-2/).

Why it's indicative only

This tool is an eligibility-orientation tool, not an official immigration assessment. It does not replace Immigration New Zealand's instructions, and it does not replace advice from an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer.

There are several reasons your result must be treated as indicative only:

- **Policy changes:** Green List roles and requirements can be updated. A result that looks correct today may need to be checked again later. - **Occupation matching is detailed:** INZ may look beyond your job title to the actual tasks you perform, your seniority, and how your role fits the relevant occupational description. - **Specific requirements apply:** Some Green List occupations require particular qualifications, professional registration, pay settings, work experience or New Zealand employment conditions. - **Documents matter:** Degrees, employment letters, registration evidence, translated documents and reference letters need to be accurate and consistent. - **Your wider situation matters:** Age, English, health, character, family members, previous visa history and future plans can all affect the best pathway.

For example, a nurse, engineer, teacher, doctor, tradesperson or ICT professional may see a promising Green List result, but still need to confirm registration, qualification recognition or job-offer requirements. A small mismatch can change the best strategy.

Yimin is not a licensed immigration adviser and does not give personalised immigration advice. Our role is to help you understand the general pathway, organise your questions, and connect you with a licensed professional who can review your facts properly.

Get matched with a licensed adviser

Once you have a rough Green List result, the next step is to check whether it actually fits your situation. That is where a licensed adviser can help. A proper review can look at your documents, your role, your employer, your family situation and your long-term plan for New Zealand.

Through Yimin, you can request a free eligibility check and be connected with an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer for an introductory conversation. The purpose of that call is to help you understand whether your pathway is worth exploring in more detail and what evidence may be needed.

A licensed adviser may help you clarify questions such as:

- Does my role genuinely match the Green List occupation requirements? - Do I need occupational registration before I apply? - Is my qualification likely to need NZQA recognition or other verification? - Is my employer, job offer or pay likely to be relevant? - Should I consider Green List residence, Skilled Migrant Category, AEWV, or another route? - Can my partner or dependent children be included or supported under a related visa pathway?

This is especially useful if you are offshore and planning your move to New Zealand, or if you are already in New Zealand and trying to convert work experience into a residence strategy. You can start with our free check, or go straight to [contact Yimin](/contact/) to request a licensed adviser match.

Yimin's matching service is free and independent. We do not promise visa approval, and no ethical adviser should guarantee an immigration outcome. The goal is to help you move from uncertainty to a well-informed next step.

Where to go next

After using the checker, your best next step depends on your result.

If your occupation appears to be **Tier 1**, your next priority is to confirm the exact requirements for that occupation and whether your job, qualification, registration and documents align. If your occupation appears to be **Tier 2**, you may need to plan the right work visa route and timeline before residence becomes realistic. If your occupation does **not** appear to be on the Green List, you should not stop there; other New Zealand visa pathways may still be relevant.

A practical next-step plan might look like this:

1. Save your checker result and note the occupation it matched to. 2. Compare your actual job duties with the listed occupation description. 3. Gather your CV, qualifications, employment references and any registration documents. 4. Check whether your employer or job offer may affect the pathway. 5. Book a free eligibility check so a licensed adviser can help confirm your options.

You can also explore Yimin's broader [immigration services](/services/) to understand how the information, matching and consultation-booking process works. If you are ready to discuss your situation, the safest next move is to speak with a licensed adviser before you pay for documents, resign from work, enrol in study or make major relocation decisions.

New Zealand immigration planning is much easier when you understand the order of steps. Start with the checker, treat the result as a guide, then get your pathway confirmed by someone licensed to advise on your personal circumstances.