What Is The NZ Immigration Green List?

The Green List is a list of occupations that the New Zealand government have identified as being in short supply and high demand. Migrants with the skills to fill these highly skilled or hard-to-fill roles have a streamlined pathway to residence. The list includes occupations across a range of industries, including construction and trades and is divided into two Tiers.

The Green List Tier 1 And Tier 2

To be eligible under either Tier 1 or Tier 2, applicants must hold current full-time employment or have an offer of full-time employment from an Accredited Employer. Applicants must also be 55 years or younger at the time of application and meet standard residence requirements, including minimum English language ability, good character, and acceptable health. Partners and children can be included in the resident visa application.

​

Tier 1 - Straight To Residence

Applicants who meet Tier 1 requirements can apply directly for residence under the Straight to Residence Visa pathway. They do not need to apply for a temporary visa first and may submit a residence application immediately.

Tier 2 - Work To Residence

Applicants who meet Tier 2 requirements must work in New Zealand for 24 months in their Green List occupation before being eligible to apply for the Work To Residence Visa pathway. This means that migrants must first be granted a temporary work visa, such as an Accredited Employer Work Visa, before they can start the 24-month clock to gain the required work experience. Most construction and trades roles on the Green List fall under Tier 2.

​

What Jobs Are On The Green List?

The requirements vary by occupation. Some roles require the migrant to hold a specific qualification before they start their skilled work experience in New Zealand. Other occupations require the migrant to meet a specified remuneration threshold for the duration of their 24 month work experience period. You can search the official Green List for jobs that are accepted here or take a look at our summary below.

​

Construction Roles On Tier 1 Of The Green List

• Construction Project Manager

• Project Builder (including Building Project Manager and Site Foreman)

• Quantity Surveyor

• Surveyor

​

Construction And Trade Roles On Tier 2 Of The Green List

• Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor)

• Crane, Hoist, or Lifter Operator

• Civil Machine Operator

• Automotive Electrician

• Diesel Mechanic

• Motor Mechanic

• Motorcycle Mechanic

• Electrician

• Plumber

• Drainlayer

• Gasfitter

• Panel Beater

• Vehicle Painter

• Metal Fabricator

• Pressure Welder

• Welder

• Fitter (General)

• Fitter and Turner

• Fitter-Welder

• Metal Machinist

Spotlight On Diesel Mechanic Jobs

The occupation of Diesel Mechanic is listed under Tier 2 of the Green List. This means that to be eligible for residence, a Diesel Mechanic must meet the Green List requirements and then work in New Zealand for 24 months in their occupation, earning at least the median wage at the start of their 24-month work period.

To qualify for residence as a Diesel Mechanic, you must hold:

• A certificate at NZQCF Level 4 (or higher), which meets the credit and knowledge requirements of the New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQCF Level 4); or

• Appointment as a vehicle inspector by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for Certificate of Fitness service delivery.

For most Diesel Mechanics, this means having their overseas qualifications assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to confirm that they meet the Green List requirements. The most common pathway involves securing employment with an Accredited Employer, working on an Accredited Employer Work Visa for 24 months, and then applying for residence.

Spotlight On Welding Jobs

To be eligible for residence under the Green List, a Welder must work in New Zealand for 24 months in their occupation, earning at least 1.3 times the median wage. Currently, this equates to $43.63 per hour.

Based on the current labour market, it is likely that most Welders may not be able to secure employment at this wage level. The Minister of Immigration has acknowledged this and indicated that the government’s aim is to attract the top talent in this trade, who can command these higher pay rates.

What If My Occupation Is On The Green List But I Don’t Meet The Requirements?

To be eligible for residence under the Green List, you must meet the specific requirements for your occupation. However, if your occupation is listed but you do not meet these requirements, there may be alternative pathways to residence, such as the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).

Since the Green List policy was introduced in 2022, several updates have been made, including additional occupations being added. Ultimately, the New Zealand Government and the Minister of Immigration decide which occupations are included or removed, often influenced by industry and business demand. Immigration policy is constantly evolving.

In August 2025 the Minister of Immigration announced that two new residence pathways will be introduced under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa.

• Skilled work experience pathway — for migrants in skilled roles (ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3) with at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience, including 2 years in New Zealand earning at least 1.1 times the median wage.

• Trades and technician pathway — for migrants in specified trades or technician roles who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification and have at least 4 years of post-qualification experience, including 18 months in New Zealand paid at or above the median wage.

At the time of writing, the government has not yet confirmed which trades and technician roles will qualify for the trades and technician pathway. However, we hope that this pathway will open residence options for tradespeople such as Welders and Fitters who are skilled, qualified, and experienced but cannot meet the higher pay thresholds required under the Green List.

If you are currently working in New Zealand in any of the occupations listed on the Green List, or are outside New Zealand and are considering work here, we recommend speaking with a professional who can assess your eligibility and explain your options. You are not required to use an adviser, but if you choose to, make sure they are a Licensed Immigration Adviser, a New Zealand–qualified lawyer, or give Tradestaff a call, we are the experts in trades and industrial recruitment with a team of Licensed Immigration Advisers that can assist in confirming your pathway to residence.

Please note: This article was written in November 2025, and the information is current as of this time.

​