What Is the NZ Green List and Why Does It Matter in 2026?
The New Zealand Green List is a curated register of occupations facing genuine skills shortages in New Zealand. If your occupation appears on it, you get a fast-track to residence. That is the short version. The longer version is that in 2026, the Green List has become the single most important reference point for skilled migrants planning a move to New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand has two tiers of Green List roles. Tier 1 occupations can apply for residence immediately after landing an accredited employer job offer. Tier 2 occupations require two years of skilled work in New Zealand before applying. Either way, both tiers move significantly faster than the standard Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) queue.
This guide covers the full Green List as it stands in 2026, qualification requirements for each major category, the step-by-step application process, and what it actually costs to go from offer letter to resident visa.
Not sure if your occupation is on the Green List? Search the full Green List directory by job title or ANZSCO code, or use the Pathway Finder to get an instant assessment of your eligibility and best route to residence.
Tier 1 vs Tier 2: What's the Difference?
Understanding the two-tier structure is essential before you start planning. The difference comes down to when you can apply for residence:
| Green List Tier 1 | Green List Tier 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Residence pathway | Apply directly from your AEWV job offer | After 2 years of skilled NZ work |
| Minimum NZ work required | None | 2 years |
| Typical industries | Healthcare, Engineering, IT, Education | Trades, Construction, Finance, Social Work |
| Processing priority | Highest | High (above standard SMC) |
| Processing time (2026) | 3-6 months | 3-8 months (from application date) |
Both tiers require an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) as the entry point. You cannot apply directly for residence from offshore. The sequence is always: offshore job offer from an accredited NZ employer → AEWV → work in NZ → residence application (immediate for Tier 1, after 2 years for Tier 2).
Complete NZ Green List 2026: Key Occupations by Sector
Healthcare (Predominantly Tier 1)
- Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 2544) — Tier 1. Requires NZ Nursing Council registration. Bachelor of Nursing (Level 7) or recognised equivalent.
- General Practitioner (ANZSCO 2531) — Tier 1. Requires Medical Council of NZ registration. Vocational specialist qualification required.
- Midwife (ANZSCO 2544) — Tier 1. Requires NZ Midwifery Council registration. Bachelor of Midwifery or equivalent.
- Dentist (ANZSCO 2523) — Tier 1. Dental Council of NZ registration required.
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (ANZSCO 2346) — Tier 1. Requires practising certificate from the Medical Sciences Council.
- Physiotherapist (ANZSCO 2525) — Tier 1. Physiotherapy Board of NZ registration required.
- Pharmacist (ANZSCO 2511) — Tier 1. Pharmacy Council of NZ registration required.
- Diagnostic Radiographer (ANZSCO 2511) — Tier 1. Requires registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board.
Engineering (Predominantly Tier 1)
- Civil Engineer (ANZSCO 2332) — Tier 1. Bachelor of Engineering (Level 8) or equivalent. Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) preferred but not always required for AEWV.
- Structural Engineer (ANZSCO 2332) — Tier 1. Same qualification pathway as civil engineers.
- Mechanical Engineer (ANZSCO 2335) — Tier 1. Bachelor of Engineering or equivalent. Process and manufacturing engineers also included.
- Electrical Engineer (ANZSCO 2333) — Tier 1. CPEng or equivalent registration strongly preferred.
- Chemical Engineer (ANZSCO 2331) — Tier 1. Engineering degree and relevant industry experience.
- Environmental Engineer (ANZSCO 2334) — Tier 1. Growing demand as infrastructure and climate policy intersect.
- Materials Engineer (ANZSCO 2339) — Tier 1. Niche but critical in manufacturing sectors.
Technology (Predominantly Tier 1)
- Software Developer (ANZSCO 2613) — Tier 1. Degree or equivalent experience. The role is broadly defined across the NOL — check your specific role classification.
- Software Engineer (ANZSCO 2613) — Tier 1. Often used interchangeably with software developer on Green List.
- ICT Security Specialist (ANZSCO 2621) — Tier 1. Growing rapidly as cyber security becomes a national priority.
- Cloud Architect / Infrastructure Architect (ANZSCO 2611) — Tier 1.
- Full Stack Developer — Tier 1 (under 2613 or 2612 depending on primary duties).
- Data Engineer / Data Scientist — Tier 1 (under 2631 or 2632).
Education (Predominantly Tier 1)
- Secondary School Teacher (ANZSCO 2411) — Tier 1. Must hold full Teaching Council registration. Priority subjects include maths, science, technology, and languages.
- Early Childhood Teacher (ANZSCO 2411) — Tier 1. Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) or equivalent. High demand across the sector.
- Primary School Teacher (ANZSCO 2412) — Tier 1. Full Teaching Council registration required.
- Special Education Teacher (ANZSCO 2415) — Tier 1.
Trades and Construction (Predominantly Tier 2)
- Electrician (ANZSCO 3411) — Tier 2. Requires NZ registration (Electrical Workers Registration Board). Level 4 trade certificate or equivalent.
- Plumber (ANZSCO 3341) — Tier 2. Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board registration required.
- Carpenter (ANZSCO 3312) — Tier 2. Level 4 certificate or equivalent. Experience-based pathways available.
- Roof Plasterer / Solid Plasterer — Tier 2. In-demand as residential construction activity remains elevated.
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic — Tier 2.
Other Key Tier 2 Occupations
- Chef (ANZSCO 3513) — Tier 2. Requires relevant trade qualification. Restaurant/hospitality sector demand is ongoing.
- Construction Project Manager — Tier 2.
- Accountant — Tier 2. Must be CPA or CAANZ registered.
- Social Worker — Tier 2. Social Workers Registration Board registration required.
- Surveyor — Tier 2. New Zealand Institute of Surveyors membership.
64+ occupation pages live. Each Green List occupation on SettleWise has its own dedicated page with ANZSCO codes, qualification requirements, employer expectations, and lead capture. Find yours in the occupations directory.
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Qualification Requirements: What You Need vs What You Have
1. Registered Professions (Doctors, Nurses, Engineers, Teachers)
These roles require professional registration with a NZ regulatory body before you can practice and before your AEWV can be approved in that role. The process:
- Credential assessment — Your overseas qualification assessed against NZ standards by the relevant authority (e.g., Nursing Council of NZ, Engineering NZ)
- Gap training / exams — Some professions require bridging courses or competency assessments before full registration is granted
- English language — IELTS Academic 7.0 or equivalent for most registered professions
- Full registration — Only then can your employer support an AEWV application in that occupation
The credential assessment can take 3-12 months. Start this process before you apply for jobs if you are in a registered profession.
2. Trades (Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters)
Trades roles require either a recognised NZ qualification (Level 4 trade certificate) or an equivalent overseas qualification assessed by the relevant NZ board. Assessment timelines are typically 2-6 months.
3. Tech and Professional Roles (Software Developers, Accountants, Managers)
These roles typically require a bachelor's degree at Level 7 or above in a relevant field, or 5+ years of relevant work experience as an alternative qualifier. The qualification requirement is less prescriptive than for registered professions, but a formal qualification significantly strengthens your visa application.
The Application Process: Step by Step
- Confirm your occupation is on the Green List — Check your ANZSCO/NOL code matches a listed occupation. Use our occupations directory to verify.
- Get your credentials assessed — If you are in a registered profession, begin your credential assessment with the relevant NZ authority. This can run concurrently with your job search.
- Apply for AEWV-accredited roles — Only accredited employers can sponsor AEWV holders. INZ maintains a register of accredited employers. Search for accredited roles matching your Green List occupation.
- Receive accredited job offer — Once you have a job offer from an accredited employer, they file a Job Check with INZ.
- Apply for AEWV — With the Job Check approval, you apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa. Processing time: 4-12 weeks.
- Arrive and work in NZ — Tier 1: begin residence application immediately upon starting work. Tier 2: work for 2 years in a skilled role at or above the market rate.
- Submit residence application — Tier 1: submit via the Green List residence pathway. Tier 2: submit after 24 months of skilled work.
- Resident visa granted — Processing times: 3-8 months. After 2 years of holding a resident visa, you become eligible for permanent residence.
Timeline and Costs
| Stage | Duration | Estimated Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| Credential assessment (registered professions) | 3-12 months | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Job search (accredited employer) | 1-6 months | Variable (remote applications vs agents) |
| AEWV application (you pay) | 4-12 weeks processing | ~$750 (Immigration NZ fee) |
| Tier 1 residence application | 3-6 months processing | ~$4,000 (resident visa fee) |
| Tier 2 residence application (after 2 years work) | 3-8 months processing | ~$4,000 (resident visa fee) |
| Medical + police clearances (primary applicant) | Pre-application | ~$400 |
| Total approximate cost (Tier 1) | 6-12 months from job offer to residence | ~$5,000-10,000 |
The total cost from AEWV application to resident visa is typically NZ$5,000-$10,000 per primary applicant, depending on whether you use a licensed adviser and whether your profession requires credential assessment. Partner and dependent fees are additional.
Calculate your total cost and timeline. The Pathway Finder gives you a personalised assessment including your best Green List pathway, estimated costs, and processing timelines — based on your occupation, qualifications, and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NZ Green List in simple terms?
It is a list of occupations that New Zealand has identified as facing genuine skills shortages. If your occupation is on the list, you get priority processing and accelerated pathways to residence compared to the standard Skilled Migrant Category route.
Is the Green List the same as the skills shortage list?
Related, but not identical. The Green List specifically refers to the occupations that qualify for the AEWV-to-residence fast track. There is some overlap with the former Essential Skills in Demand lists, but the Green List is the current authoritative reference for residence planning in 2026.
Can I apply for residence from offshore?
No — both Green List tiers require an AEWV first. You must have a job offer from an accredited NZ employer before you can lodge any residence application. Offshore applications go through the SMC or other residence pathways, not the Green List fast track.
What is the difference between ANZSCO and the NOL?
ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) was the classification system NZ used until March 2026. Immigration New Zealand is transitioning to the National Occupation List (NOL). Your occupation code under the NOL may differ from its ANZSCO equivalent. Always verify your NOL code before lodging an AEWV or residence application in 2026.
Does my overseas qualification automatically qualify me?
For registered professions (nursing, medicine, engineering), your overseas qualification must be assessed and recognised by the relevant NZ regulatory body. This is not automatic — some qualifications require gap training or exams. For non-registered roles (tech, trades, management), work experience can substitute for formal qualifications in most cases.
Do Tier 2 workers have a guaranteed path to residence?
Yes, provided you maintain skilled employment in your Green List occupation at market rates for two years. Tier 2 does not have an annual cap or lottery — it is a straightforward 2-year work requirement. After 2 years, you apply and your application is processed normally.
How does the Green List interact with the August 2026 SMC reforms?
The August 2026 SMC reform (reducing the work experience requirement from 3 to 2 years) complements the Green List pathway for Tier 2 workers. A Tier 2 worker who reaches 2 years of skilled NZ work can apply via either the Green List Tier 2 pathway or the SMC — both routes should be modelled before lodging, as points allocations differ.
Ready to find your specific pathway? Use the Pathway Finder to get a personalised assessment based on your exact occupation, qualifications, and immigration history. Free, takes under 3 minutes.