The New Zealand Green List identifies occupations where New Zealand has strong skill needs. If your occupation is listed, you may have a more direct route to residence — but the details matter. This guide explains what the Green List means, how Tier 1 and Tier 2 work, and what to check before you make plans.
What it means and why it matters
The Green List is a set of occupations that Immigration New Zealand uses to support faster residence pathways for people with skills New Zealand needs. It is not a visa by itself. Instead, it can connect your occupation to residence options such as straight-to-residence or work-to-residence.
In plain terms, being on the Green List can be helpful — but it does not automatically mean you qualify. Your job title, duties, qualifications, work experience, pay, occupational registration and employer details may all need to match the current INZ instructions.
The two main pathways are often described as **Tier 1** and **Tier 2**. Tier 1 is generally known as a straight-to-residence pathway. Tier 2 is generally a work-to-residence pathway, where you usually need to work in New Zealand in the eligible role for a required period before applying. For a side-by-side explanation, see our guide to [Green List Tier 1 vs Tier 2](/green-list-tier-1-vs-tier-2/).
How it works step by step
A sensible first step is to check whether your occupation appears on the Green List and whether it is Tier 1 or Tier 2. You can use Yimin’s [Green List occupation checker](/green-list-occupation-checker/) for indicative orientation, but you should always confirm current settings with INZ or a licensed adviser before acting.
A typical Green List assessment looks at:
- **Occupation match:** whether your actual duties match the listed occupation, not just whether your job title sounds similar. - **Tier:** whether the role is Tier 1 or Tier 2, because the timing and residence pathway can differ. - **Qualification and experience requirements:** whether you hold the right qualification, recognised equivalent, or relevant work experience. - **Occupational registration:** whether your profession needs New Zealand registration before you can work or apply. - **Job and employer details:** whether you need a New Zealand job offer, whether the employer is accredited, and whether the role meets current INZ requirements.
For many people, the Green List also needs to be considered alongside the broader [Skilled Migrant Category](/skilled-migrant-visa/), especially if the occupation does not fit neatly into a Green List route.
What to prepare
If you think your occupation may be on the Green List, start gathering evidence early. Immigration applications are document-heavy, and small gaps can slow things down.
Useful documents may include:
- your passport and identity documents - detailed CV and employment history - job descriptions, contracts and payslips - qualification certificates and transcripts - professional registration documents, if relevant - evidence of work experience and references - English-language test results, where required - police certificates and medical information when requested - certified translations for non-English documents
Some occupations may require New Zealand occupational registration or a qualification assessment, such as NZQA recognition, before the immigration pathway becomes realistic. Health and character requirements also apply to residence applications. These requirements can change, so treat any checklist as general guidance only.
Common mistakes to avoid
One common mistake is assuming that a similar job title is enough. INZ looks at the real substance of the role, including duties, seniority, pay and required skills. A title that appears close to a Green List occupation may still fail if the responsibilities do not match.
Another mistake is overlooking registration. This is especially important in regulated professions such as healthcare, engineering, education and some trades. For example, nurses often need to consider both immigration rules and professional registration requirements. If you work in healthcare, you may find our page on [New Zealand immigration for nurses](/nz-immigration-for-nurses/) useful.
A third mistake is planning around outdated rules. Green List occupations, wage settings, job requirements and residence instructions can be updated. Before resigning, accepting a job, enrolling in study or spending money on documents, confirm the current position with INZ or a licensed adviser.
How it connects to your pathway
The Green List is only one part of your New Zealand immigration picture. Your best pathway may depend on whether you are offshore or already in New Zealand, whether you have a job offer, whether your partner or children are included, and whether you meet English, health and character requirements.
If your occupation is Tier 1, you may be able to look at a more direct residence pathway if all requirements are met. If your occupation is Tier 2, you may need to first work in the eligible role in New Zealand for the required period before applying for residence. If your occupation is not on the Green List, you may still have options through the Skilled Migrant Category, an Accredited Employer Work Visa, study-to-work routes, partnership, or another visa type.
This is where a structured eligibility check helps. It can identify whether the Green List is likely to be relevant, or whether another route deserves more attention.
Where to go next
If you are just starting, first check whether your occupation is listed and what tier it sits under. Then compare that against your qualifications, registration status, job offer situation and family plans.
Good next steps are:
1. Use the [Green List occupation checker](/green-list-occupation-checker/) for a quick indicative view. 2. Read the difference between [Tier 1 and Tier 2](/green-list-tier-1-vs-tier-2/) so you understand the timing. 3. If your role is not a clear Green List fit, review the [Skilled Migrant Visa](/skilled-migrant-visa/) pathway. 4. Speak with a licensed adviser before making major decisions.
Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. We help you understand possible directions and connect you with licensed immigration professionals where advice is needed.
Talk to a licensed adviser
The Green List can be a strong opportunity, but it is not something to guess. A licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer can review your role, documents and timing against the current INZ rules.
You can start with Yimin’s free eligibility check, then book a free intro call through our [contact page](/contact/). Yimin does not provide personalised immigration advice and is not a licensed immigration adviser. We provide general information, eligibility orientation and matching to licensed professionals so you can make your next step with confidence.
In plain English
In plain English: the Green List can make residence more direct for some occupations, but your exact role and documents must match the current rules — start with Yimin’s free eligibility check and confirm your pathway with a licensed adviser.
Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. It is NOT a Licensed Immigration Adviser and does not provide personalised immigration or legal advice. Eligibility tools are indicative orientation only.
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