New Zealand continues to use its Green List as a primary tool for filling critical skill shortages while offering skilled workers a clearer route to residence. In 2026 the list remains divided into two tiers, each linked to specific residence pathways that begin with employment from an accredited employer. For professionals and tradespeople whose occupations appear on the list, a qualifying job offer can open the door to either immediate residence or a structured two-year work-to-residence process.
This article examines how the Green List operates in 2026, the occupations that currently attract the strongest demand, the practical requirements around pay and qualifications, and the steps involved in securing both temporary work permission and longer-term residence. It draws on Immigration New Zealand’s published instructions and recent updates so readers can assess whether their skills align with current priorities.
Understanding the Green List Structure
The Green List identifies occupations that New Zealand needs workers for. It is organised into Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Tier 1 roles qualify for the Straight to Residence Visa. Applicants who hold a job offer (or current employment) that meets the listed requirements for that occupation can apply for residence without first completing a set period of work in New Zealand. The offer must come from an accredited employer, meet the relevant pay threshold, and satisfy any registration, qualification or experience conditions specified for the role.
Tier 2 roles qualify for the Work to Residence Visa. Applicants must complete 24 months of full-time work in a Tier 2 occupation in New Zealand within a 30-month window before lodging the residence application. The work must be performed under an acceptable visa, most commonly an Accredited Employer Work Visa, and must meet the occupation-specific wage rate that applied when the qualifying work experience began.
In both cases the employer must hold current accreditation with Immigration New Zealand. Accreditation confirms the employer has met standards around compliance, genuine need for migrant labour, and employment conditions. Without an accredited employer the residence pathways under the Green List are not available.
The median wage that underpins many Green List thresholds rose to NZD $35.00 per hour from 9 March 2026. Some occupations carry higher multipliers—1.15 times, 1.3 times or 1.5 times the median—depending on the role. These rates are set out in the operational instructions and are updated when new median wage data is published.
High-Demand Occupations on the Green List in 2026
Demand remains strongest in healthcare, engineering, information and communications technology, construction and certain skilled trades. The following categories illustrate the breadth of opportunity, though applicants must always verify the precise requirements for their ANZSCO code on the official Green List page, as registration, qualification and pay details vary by occupation.
Healthcare continues to feature heavily on Tier 1. Registered nurses across multiple specialisations, midwives and medical practitioners generally require registration with the relevant New Zealand regulatory body and payment at or above the median wage. These roles often attract both temporary work visas and the direct residence pathway because of persistent shortages in hospitals, aged care and primary health settings.
Engineering occupations such as civil, structural, electrical and mechanical engineers commonly sit on Tier 1. A recognised engineering degree (frequently a Washington Accord qualification or equivalent assessed by Engineering New Zealand) is typically required, together with the applicable pay threshold. Infrastructure investment, seismic strengthening and water reform projects sustain demand for these skills.
ICT roles including software engineers, developer programmers, ICT security specialists and certain project management positions also appear on Tier 1. Higher remuneration thresholds sometimes apply in this sector, reflecting market rates and the need to attract experienced practitioners. Employers in software development, fintech and infrastructure services regularly seek candidates who can meet both the technical and immigration criteria.
Construction and trades have expanded in recent years. Several metal fabrication, welding, fitting and vehicle-related roles were added to the Work to Residence pathway. These include metal fabricator, metal machinist (first class), fitter (general), fitter and turner, fitter-welder, pressure welder, welder, panel beater, vehicle painter and paving plant operator. Many of these carry elevated wage requirements—often 1.3 times the median—and specific qualification or licensing conditions. Building associates, crane operators and certain civil plant operators also feature on Tier 2 with their own remuneration rules.
Education roles such as secondary school teachers and certain specialist teachers remain on the list, usually requiring registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and a recognised teaching qualification. Early childhood and special education positions may also qualify depending on the exact code and registration status.
Other sectors represented include selected primary industries, science and technical roles, and some health and social service occupations beyond nursing. The full list contains more than 200 entries across both tiers; the official searchable tool on the Immigration New Zealand website is the authoritative source for current inclusions and requirements.
The Role of Accredited Employers and Job Offers
A job offer from an accredited employer is the practical starting point for most Green List applicants. Employers must hold valid accreditation before they can support an Accredited Employer Work Visa or a Green List residence application. Accreditation is not automatic; it involves assessment of the employer’s compliance history, genuine need for the role, and ability to meet employment standards.
Once an accredited employer makes a qualifying offer, the worker can apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa if temporary permission is needed. For Tier 1 roles the same offer can support a direct Straight to Residence application, provided all other criteria—including age (normally 55 or under), health, character and English language—are met. For Tier 2 roles the worker usually enters on a temporary visa, completes the 24-month period, and then lodges the residence application.
Pay must meet or exceed the threshold that applies to the occupation. For many Tier 1 roles this is simply the median wage of NZD $35.00 per hour. For Tier 2 roles and certain specialised positions the requirement may be higher. From 24 August 2026 the rules for calculating the relevant wage rate for Work to Residence applications were simplified: applicants generally need only meet the rate that applied when they began accruing the qualifying work experience, rather than a higher rate at the time of the residence application.
Practical Steps for Applicants
The process typically unfolds in stages. First, confirm that the intended occupation appears on the current Green List and note the exact qualification, registration and pay requirements. Second, secure a job offer from an accredited employer that matches those requirements. Third, obtain any necessary professional registration or qualification assessment (for example, an International Qualification Assessment through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority if an overseas qualification needs formal recognition).
English language evidence is required for residence applications. Acceptable evidence includes recognised test results or other prescribed methods. Health and character checks form part of every residence application.
Applicants already in New Zealand on another visa may be able to transition more quickly if their current employment meets Green List conditions. Those applying from offshore must factor in processing times, biometric requirements and, where relevant, the need for a temporary visa to enter and begin work.
Because accreditation status, wage rates and list composition can change, checking the Immigration New Zealand website immediately before lodging any application is essential. Operational instructions are updated periodically, and reliance on outdated information is a common source of delay or refusal.
Wage Thresholds and Financial Considerations
The median wage of NZD $35.00 per hour sets the baseline for many roles from March 2026. Elevated multipliers apply to specific occupations, particularly in the trades. For example, certain welding and fabrication roles require 1.3 times the median, while building associates require 1.5 times. These figures are expressed as hourly rates and must be reflected in the employment agreement and supporting documentation.
Employers and applicants should also consider the broader cost of the migration process. Temporary work visas, residence applications, professional registration fees, qualification assessments and potential English tests all carry separate charges. Families accompanying the principal applicant face additional requirements around maintenance funds and, in some cases, their own visa applications.
Recent and Ongoing Changes
Several adjustments have shaped the 2026 environment. The addition of metal trades and related occupations to the Work to Residence pathway in 2025 expanded opportunities for skilled tradespeople. The median wage increase in March 2026 lifted all linked thresholds. Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category that took effect in August 2026 introduced new pathways for trades and technicians and simplified wage-rate rules for work-to-residence applications, including those under the Green List. These reforms sit alongside the Green List rather than replacing it; the two systems operate in parallel for different applicant profiles.
The National Occupation List continues to evolve as a complementary classification system for certain temporary visas, but Green List residence pathways continue to reference ANZSCO codes and the specific requirements set out in Appendix 13 of the Immigration Instructions.
Assessing Suitability and Next Steps
Not every high-demand job appears on the Green List, and not every Green List occupation will suit every candidate. Success depends on matching skills, qualifications and experience to the precise requirements of a listed role, securing an offer from an accredited employer, and meeting the broader health, character and English criteria. Professional registration is a non-negotiable step for many healthcare, teaching and engineering roles and can take several months.
Prospective applicants benefit from researching current vacancies with accredited employers, reviewing the official Green List search tool, and confirming registration pathways with the relevant New Zealand professional body. Immigration New Zealand’s website remains the definitive source for the current list, wage tables and application instructions.
The Green List does not offer an automatic or unconditional guarantee of a visa. It provides structured pathways that reward occupations New Zealand has identified as priorities, subject to meeting all published criteria and obtaining a genuine offer of employment. For skilled workers whose profiles align with those priorities, the combination of temporary work permission and a clear residence route represents one of the more predictable options available in 2026.
Anyone considering a move should treat official guidance as the primary reference and, where circumstances are complex, seek advice from a licensed immigration adviser. With careful preparation around qualifications, registration and employment, many candidates successfully use the Green List to establish both their careers and their long-term residence in New Zealand.
