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New Zealand Green List: Everything You Need to Know

New Zealand Green List: Everything You Need to Know

With the unveiling of the new Green List immigration NZ policy in December 2022, migrants in New Zealand and elsewhere received a fresh wave of good news. New Zealand’s immigration minister, Michael Wood, unveiled a package of initiatives to help the country’s businesses cope with the global labour shortage and attract highly educated migrants.

Over 94,000 job openings for foreign workers have been permitted in order to strengthen New Zealand’s international recruitment efforts. In this article, we will see everything you need to know about the Green List Immigration NZ has declared and its benefits. So, read on.

What is New Zealand Green List?

The Green List is being introduced to replace the previous skills shortage list. It offers a pathway to the migrants, namely:

Numerous highly skilled occupations with high international demand and shortage in New Zealand are included on the Green List.

For talented immigrants looking to immigrate and get permanent residency, the Green List outlines the skill gaps in the New Zealand labour market including the construction, ICT, engineering and trade sectors. Each role, however, will have its own set of registration, qualification, or experience requirements to be met.

What Are the Green List Jobs in New Zealand?

Across the construction, engineering, health and social services, primary industries, science, ICT, electronics, and telecommunications fields, several jobs in New Zealand are listed on the green list.

Similar to the Skilled Migrant Category, only immigrants 55 years of age or younger are eligible for these residency pathways. For both of these resident visas, an Accredited Employer – provided job or job offer is necessary.

Tier 1: Straight to Residence

You are eligible to apply for this residence visa if you are employed in any of the Tier 1 jobs on the Green List and also fulfill the necessary qualifications for that role. Tier 1 positions cover a variety of industries, like:

Science

  • Food Technologist
  • Other Spatial Scientist
  • Environmental Research Scientist

Engineering

  • Chemical Engineer
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Civil Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Electrical Engineering Technician
  • Electronic Engineering Technician
  • Engineering Professionals (Not Elsewhere Classified)
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Industrial Engineer
  • Materials Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Production or Plant Engineer
  • Structural Engineer
  • Telecommunications Engineers
  • Telecommunications Network Engineers

Health and Social Services

  • General Practitioner
  • Resident Medical Officer
  • Anaesthetist
  • Specialist Physician 
  • Cardiologist
  • Clinical Hematologist 
  • Medical Oncologist
  • Endocrinologist 
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Intensive Care Specialist 
  • Neurologist 
  • Paediatrician
  • Renal Medicine Specialist 
  • Rheumatologist 
  • Thoracic Medicine Specialist 
  • Specialist Physicians
  • Psychiatrist
  • Surgeon (General)
  • Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Neurosurgeon
  • Orthopaedic Surgeon
  • Otorhinolaryngologist
  • Paediatric Surgeon
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
  • Urologist 
  • Vascular Surgeon
  • Dermatologist 
  • Emergency Medicine Specialist 
  • Obstetrician and Gynaecologist 
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Pathologist 
  • Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
  • Radiation Oncologist 
  • Other Medical Practitioners 
  • Midwife 
  • Registered Nurses (in various practices)
  • Medical Laboratory Scientist 
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Educational Psychologist 
  • Organisational Psychologist 
  • Psychotherapist
  • Physicist (Medical) 
  • Orthoptist
  • Veterinarian

ICT

  • ICT Manager
  • ICT Security Specialist
  • Software Engineer/Tester
  • Multimedia Specialist
  • Chief Information Officer 
  • Analyst Programmer 
  • Developer Programmer
  • Other Software and Applications Programmers

Construction

  • Construction Project Manager
  • Project Builder
  • Building Project Manager and Site Foreman
  • Quantity Surveyor
  • Surveyor

Tier 2: Work to Residence

The following Green List occupations are eligible to apply for residence after working in New Zealand for two years or more:

Agriculture

  • Dairy Cattle Farmers including Dairy Cattle Farm Manager, Dairy Farm Manager, Assistant Dairy Farm Manager and Dairy Herd Manager

Education/Social Services

  • Teacher – Early Childhood (Pre-primary School)
  • Teacher – Secondary school teaching Science, Mathematics, Technology or Pacific Languages.

Health

  • Anaesthetic Technician
  • Audiologist
  • All Registered Nurses (including but not limited to Aged Care)
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Medical Imaging Technologist
  • Medical Radiation Therapist
  • Midwife
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Sonographer
  • Podiatrist

Trades

  • Automotive Electrician
  • Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
  • Electrician (General) – Registered
  • Plumber – registered

Benefits of the New Zealand Green List

In addition to employment and housing benefits, those working in New Zealand’s green list of occupations are eligible for a number of extra advantages. These additional advantages include:

  • No job advertising is required if an employer wants to hire migrant employees on an AEWV for a job role on the green list.
  • The Green List offers a direct route to residence as well as a work-to-residence pathway.
  • Application evaluation and review for green-listed visas in New Zealand will be faster.
  • There will be open work rights for the partners of candidates who fall under the Green List immigration NZ occupations.

How to Apply for a Green List in New Zealand?

All Green List immigration NZ applicants must:

  • Be aged under 55 years
  • Be of acceptable health and character
  • Be employed by an accredited employer in New Zealand
  • Meet English language proficiency

Conclusion:

If you are planning to visit and work in New Zealand, then the Green List visa New Zealand is the best option for you. In this article, we have provided you with all the information you need to know about the Green List visa New Zealand, including who can apply for it, what are the benefits of the visa, and how to apply for the visa. Have Questions About Your Green List Application? Reach Out to the ICLegal Team Today!