New Zealand Green List Jobs: Tier 1 vs Tier 2

You work in a job New Zealand is short of, and you've heard some roles can lead to residence fast. That's the Green List. But the fast route only works if your exact job, your registration and your employer all tick the right boxes.

This guide explains New Zealand Green List jobs in plain English as of September 2026. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) updates the list and its rules, so check immigration.govt.nz before you make plans.

What are New Zealand Green List jobs?

The Green List is INZ's list of jobs New Zealand needs people for. It splits them into two skill levels called tiers.

• Tier 1 is the highest level. These jobs can lead to a Straight to Residence Visa.
• Tier 2 jobs can lead to a Work to Residence Visa after two years of working in New Zealand.

Residence here means a resident visa, which lets you live, work and study in New Zealand long term. INZ publishes the full list in Appendix 13 of its operational manual. The version we checked was dated 9 March 2026.

Tier 1 vs Tier 2: the key differences

Tier 1: Straight to Residence

You need a job or job offer in a Tier 1 role with an accredited employer. That's a business INZ has approved to hire migrant workers.

As of September 2026, INZ says the job must pay at least the rate set for your Green List role, or the median wage if no rate is set. The Straight to Residence page lists that median wage as NZD $35.00 an hour. The job must be permanent, or fixed-term for at least 12 months. INZ says 80% of applications are processed within 3 months.

Tier 2: Work to Residence

Tier 2 is a two-step route. You usually come on a work visa first, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), then apply for residence later.

You must have worked in a Tier 2 job in New Zealand for 24 months within the 30 months before you apply. The job must be full-time. You must also have been paid the wage rate that applied when you started counting your experience.

Example Green List jobs and registration rules

INZ says Tier 1 jobs are worth checking if you work in areas like health, engineering, education, construction or ICT (information and communications technology). Tier 2 is worth checking for areas like construction, education, farming and machinery operation.

Here are some examples from the 9 March 2026 version of the list.

The requirements above are shortened. Always read the full wording for your job on the official list.

INZ has also said that teaching roles on Tier 1 are designed for experienced teachers who are paid at or above the median wage.

How to check your role, step by step

1. Find your job on the Green List. Use the search on immigration.govt.nz and match your real duties, not just your job title.
2. Note the tier. Tier 1 points to Straight to Residence, and Tier 2 points to Work to Residence.
3. Read every requirement. Look for registration, qualifications, experience and pay rates.
4. Start registration with the relevant New Zealand body if your job needs it.
5. Check your employer is accredited using INZ's accredited employer list tool.
6. Confirm the job terms. Check the pay, hours and contract length meet the visa rules.
7. Check your age and English. You must be 55 or younger and meet the English requirement.

A simple example

Imagine Grace, a registered nurse in Manila who works in aged care. Her role is on Tier 1, so she first applies for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Once registered, she gets a job offer from a rest home. She searches INZ's accredited employer list and confirms the business is accredited. Because the job is Tier 1, she can apply for Straight to Residence from the Philippines. This is a made-up example, and a real decision would depend on her full application.

How to check accredited employers

INZ runs an accredited employer list tool on its website. It lets you check whether a business is currently accredited.

You may need the employer's New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), a 13-digit number you must enter in full. Ask the employer for it if you can't find it.

Accreditation can change. Check again before you sign a contract and before you apply. If you're comparing routes, see our guide to Australia skilled migration.

Common mistakes

• Matching on job title only. Your real duties must fit the Green List occupation.
• Ignoring registration. Many roles need it before you can use the list.
• Not checking accreditation. The employer must be accredited when you apply.
• Leaving gaps in Tier 2 work. You need 24 months within the 30 months before applying.
• Forgetting the age limit. You must be 55 or younger.
• Relying on old salary claims. Use the wage rates on immigration.govt.nz, not old blog posts.

What to do next

Search the Green List for your job today and write down its tier and requirements. If registration is needed, contact the registration body this week.

Then build a realistic budget with our guide to relocation costs for moving abroad. If an application goes wrong, our guide on what to do after a visa refusal can help.