Two Tiers — Two Different Outcomes
New Zealand’s Green List is a list of occupations that New Zealand has identified as being in critical shortage. The list has two tiers with different visa outcomes. Only Tier 1 leads directly to residence.
- Resident Visa granted directly on approval
- Job offer must be at or above the NZ median wage
- Occupation must match your actual duties and ANZSCO code
- Can apply from overseas or onshore
- Partner and children can be included as secondary applicants
- Work Visa (AEWV) granted first — not immediate residence
- Must work in the role in NZ for a qualifying period
- Then eligible to apply for residence under the Work to Residence pathway
- Job offer must meet the median wage threshold
- Different from the Straight to Residence pathway on this page
Who Can Go Straight to Residence?
The following are examples of occupations currently on Tier 1 of the Green List. This is not exhaustive — the full list is maintained by INZ and updated periodically. Contact us to confirm whether your specific role qualifies.
ANZSCO Code
Not sure if your role is on Tier 1? We’ll check the current Green List against your ANZSCO code free of charge.
What You Must Meet
All criteria must be met at the time of application. We assess your full situation in your free consultation before any application costs are committed.
Tier 1 Green List Occupation
Your occupation must be on Tier 1 of Immigration New Zealand’s current Green List. This is assessed against your actual job duties and the relevant ANZSCO code — not just your job title.
Job Offer from an Accredited Employer
You must have a genuine job offer in New Zealand in the relevant Tier 1 occupation. The employer must be accredited with INZ under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework.
Median Wage or Above
Your job offer must be at or above the current New Zealand median wage. The median wage is updated by INZ periodically. We confirm the current threshold during your consultation.
Relevant Qualifications & Registration
You must hold the qualifications required for your occupation. For regulated occupations (medicine, nursing, teaching, engineering), you must also hold or be eligible for New Zealand registration or licensing with the relevant professional body.
Health Requirements
You must meet INZ’s health standards. A full medical examination (INZ 1007) by an INZ-approved Panel Physician is required. Partner and children included in the application must also meet health requirements.
Character Requirements
Police certificates are required from every country where you have lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years. All included family members aged 17 and over must meet character requirements.
Documents & Evidence Required
A complete, well-organised application reduces processing time and avoids requests for further information from INZ.
💼 Employment & Qualification Evidence
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Signed job offer or employment agreement
From an INZ-accredited New Zealand employer, clearly stating your role title, duties, and remuneration at or above the median wage.
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Employer accreditation confirmation
Evidence that the employer holds current INZ accreditation. We can verify your employer’s accreditation status quickly.
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Academic qualifications & transcripts
Certified copies of your degree, diploma, or other qualifications relevant to your Tier 1 occupation. Overseas qualifications may require certified English translation.
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Professional registration or eligibility evidence
Your current New Zealand registration certificate, or evidence from the relevant regulatory body confirming you are eligible for registration in New Zealand.
📄 Identity & Family Documents
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Passport
Your current valid passport. Previous passports may be requested to account for your full travel and residence history.
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Work history evidence
References or employment records from previous employers confirming your experience in the relevant occupation. Particularly important where INZ needs to verify your practical experience matches your qualifications.
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Partner’s documents (if including)
Partner’s passport, marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence, and any relevant visa documentation if your partner is also in New Zealand.
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Children’s documents (if including)
Birth certificates, passports, and consent from the other parent where applicable for dependent children included in your application.
🏥 Health & Character Documents
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Medical examination (INZ 1007)
Full medical including chest X-ray by an INZ-approved Panel Physician. All included family members must also complete medicals. Book early — appointments can be limited.
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Police certificates
From every country where you (and included family members aged 17+) have lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years. Must be recent at the time of lodgement.
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NZ Police certificate (if applicable)
Required if you have already lived in New Zealand for 12 or more months. We advise on timing to ensure all certificates remain valid at lodgement.
How We Guide You Through
From your first consultation to your permanent residence approval — here is how we support you at every stage.
Free Eligibility Assessment
We confirm whether your occupation is on Tier 1 of the current Green List, verify your ANZSCO code matches your actual duties, confirm your job offer meets the wage threshold, and check your professional registration status.
Registration & Employer Guidance
For regulated professions, we advise on the NZ registration process and help you understand what INZ needs to see to confirm your eligibility to practise. We also verify your employer’s accreditation status.
Document Collection
We provide a personalised checklist of all required documents, advise on certified translations and apostilles for overseas documents, and review everything before it goes into the application.
Health & Character Checks
We coordinate medical examinations for you and any included family members, and guide you through obtaining police certificates from all required countries — timed so everything remains valid at lodgement.
Application Preparation & Lodgement
We complete all INZ forms, write a clear summary of your eligibility, organise your full evidence package, and lodge your application through INZ’s online system — managing all correspondence with INZ throughout.
Residence Granted
Once approved, we confirm your visa conditions, advise on any travel requirements to activate your residence, and outline the pathway to permanent residence and New Zealand citizenship for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Skills Are in Demand. New Zealand Wants You Here.
If your occupation is on Tier 1 of the Green List, this is the fastest and most direct route to New Zealand residence. Our licensed advisers will confirm your eligibility, guide you through professional registration, and prepare a thorough application so you can move to New Zealand permanently — without the wait of a work visa first.
