The Green List is INZ's list of hard-to-fill jobs that lead to residence. It has 215 roles:
- Tier 1 (174 roles): apply for residence straight away with a Straight to Residence Visa, from New Zealand or overseas.
- Tier 2 (41 roles): apply after 2 years working in the role in New Zealand, with a Work to Residence Visa.
Both cost NZ$6,450 and cover your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger.
Checked against INZ's Green List on 29 October 2026. INZ updates the list; check your role there before you apply. To look up one job title, use the Green List checker.
What every Green List applicant needs
- to be 55 or younger
- a job, or job offer, with an accredited employer: full-time, and permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months
- to meet the role's qualification, registration or experience requirement (below)
- the role's pay: for most Tier 1 roles at least NZ$35.00 an hour (the median wage); some roles need more
- English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent), health and character.
Your job must genuinely match the role's ANZSCO description, not just the job title. If your qualification is from overseas, you may need an NZQA assessment; Washington and Sydney Accord engineering degrees don't.
Where an adviser helps: the most common Green List problem is a job that's close to a listed role but doesn't match its ANZSCO tasks, or a registration that's still in progress. A licensed adviser can check your job description, registration and pay against the exact Green List entry before you, or your employer, commit to a residence application.
Tier 1: Straight to Residence
Unless shown otherwise, you must be paid at least NZ$35.00 an hour (the median wage).
Doctors
Requirement: Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (provisional general, general, provisional vocational, vocational or special purpose locum tenens), or a letter of eligibility.
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Anaesthetist | 253211 |
| Cardiologist | 253312 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | 253512 |
| Clinical Haematologist | 253313 |
| Dermatologist | 253911 |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 253917 |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist | 253912 |
| Endocrinologist | 253315 |
| Gastroenterologist | 253316 |
| General Practitioner | 253111 |
| Intensive Care Specialist | 253317 |
| Medical Oncologist | 253314 |
| Medical Practitioners nec | 253999 |
| Neurologist | 253318 |
| Neurosurgeon | 253513 |
| Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | 253913 |
| Ophthalmologist | 253914 |
| Orthopaedic Surgeon | 253514 |
| Otorhinolaryngologist | 253515 |
| Paediatric Surgeon | 253516 |
| Paediatrician | 253321 |
| Pathologist | 253915 |
| Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon | 253517 |
| Psychiatrist | 253411 |
| Radiation Oncologist | 253918 |
| Renal Medicine Specialist | 253322 |
| Resident Medical Officer | 253112 |
| Rheumatologist | 253323 |
| Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | 253311 |
| Specialist Physician nec | 253399 |
| Surgeon (General) | 253511 |
| Thoracic Medicine Specialist | 253324 |
| Urologist | 253518 |
| Vascular Surgeon | 253521 |
Nurses and midwives
Requirement: Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (midwives: the Midwifery Council).
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 254412 |
| Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | 254413 |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 254414 |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 254415 |
| Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) | 254416 |
| Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) | 254417 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 254418 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | 254421 |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 254422 |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 254423 |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 254424 |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 254425 |
| Registered Nurses nec | 254499 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 254411 |
| Enrolled Nurse | 411411 |
| Midwife | 254111 |
Dental
Requirement: Registration with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Dentist, Dental Practitioner, Dental Surgeon | 252312 |
| Dental Specialist, Endodontist, Orthodontist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral Pathologist, Paedodontist, Periodontist, Prosthodontist | 252311 |
| Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Public Health Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry Specialists | 2523 |
| Clinical Dental Technician (Dental Prosthetist) | 411212 |
| Dental Technician | 411213 |
| Dental Therapist, Oral Health Therapist | 411214 |
Allied health and science
Requirement: Registration or membership with the relevant New Zealand board or professional body (named on INZ's list).
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Ambulance Paramedic | 411112 |
| Anaesthetic Technician | 311211 |
| Audiologist | 252711 |
| Audiometrist | 311299 |
| Chiropractor | 252111 |
| Clinical Physiologist | 234599 |
| Dietician | 251111 |
| Dispensing Optician | 399913 |
| Genetic Counsellor | 251999 |
| Hospital Pharmacist | 251511 |
| Industrial Pharmacist | 251512 |
| Retail Pharmacist | 251513 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | 251211 |
| Medical Imaging Technologist | 251211 |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 234611 |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | 311213 |
| Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician | 311213 |
| Medical Radiation Therapist | 251212 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 251213 |
| Occupational Therapist | 252411 |
| Optometrist | 251411 |
| Orthoptist | 251412 |
| Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician | 311299 |
| Orthotist or Prosthetist | 251912 |
| Osteopath | 252112 |
| Perfusionist (Cardiac) | 311299 |
| Physicist (Medical) | 234914 |
| Physiotherapist | 252511 |
| Play Therapist (Hospital) | 252299 |
| Podiatrist | 252611 |
| Sonographer | 251214 |
| Speech Language Therapist | 252712 |
| Sterilisation Technician | 711914 |
| Veterinarian | 234711 |
Psychology, counselling and social work
Requirement: Registration with the Psychologists Board, Psychotherapists Board or Social Workers Registration Board; counsellors need NZ Association of Counsellors membership; addiction roles need Dapaanz registration.
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 272311 |
| Educational Psychologist | 272312 |
| Organisational Psychologist | 272313 |
| Psychologists nec | 272399 |
| Psychotherapist | 272314 |
| Careers Counsellor | 272111 |
| Family and Marriage Counsellor | 272113 |
| Rehabilitation Counsellor | 272114 |
| Student Counsellor | 272115 |
| Counsellors nec | 272199 |
| Addiction Practitioner, Alcohol & Drug Clinician, Drug and Alcohol Counsellor | 272112 |
| Social Worker | 272511 |
Teachers
Requirement: Registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and a provisional or full practising certificate.
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Primary School Teacher | 241213 |
| Middle School / Intermediate School Teacher | 241311 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 241411 |
| Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium Primary School Teacher) | 241211 |
| Pouako Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium Primary School Senior Teacher) | 241212 |
Engineers
Requirement: A Washington Accord accredited engineering degree, a BE (Hons) at level 8, or a level 7+ qualification with a letter from Engineering New Zealand (see INZ's list for each role).
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Acoustic Engineer | 233999 |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Aerospace, Aviation, Avionics) | 233911 |
| Chemical Engineer | 233111 |
| Civil Engineer | 233211 |
| Electrical Engineer | 233311 |
| Electronics Engineer | 233411 |
| Environmental Engineer | 233915 |
| Geotechnical Engineer | 233212 |
| Industrial Engineer | 233511 |
| Marine Designer, Naval Architect | 233916 |
| Materials Engineer | 233112 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 233512 |
| Mechatronics Engineer | 233999 |
| Product Design Engineer | 233999 |
| Production or Plant Engineer | 233513 |
| Structural Engineer | 233214 |
| Telecommunications Engineer | 263311 |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer | 263312 |
Engineering technicians and aircraft maintenance
Requirement: Technicians: a specified engineering technology degree or level 6 diploma; aircraft maintenance engineers: a New Zealand Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence (AMEL) from the CAA.
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technician | 312212 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician | 312312 |
| Electronic Engineering Technician | 312412 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technician | 312512 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) | 323111 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) | 323112 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) | 323113 |
Construction and surveying
Requirement: A specified qualification (for example a level 7 degree with a major in quantity surveying or construction management) or professional membership; see INZ's list.
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Construction Project Manager | 133111 |
| Building Project Manager | 133112 |
| Project Builder | 133112 |
| Site Foreman | 133112 |
| Quantity Surveyor | 233213 |
| Surveyor | 232212 |
ICT
Requirement: No qualification needed, but higher pay: NZ$72.80 an hour (208% of the median wage) for most roles; NZ$70.00 (200%) for database and systems administrators; NZ$57.75 for multimedia specialists. Contractors need more.
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Analyst Programmer | 261311 |
| Chief Information Officer | 135111 |
| Developer Programmer | 261312 |
| ICT Managers nec | 135199 |
| ICT Project Manager | 135112 |
| ICT Security Specialist | 262112 |
| Software Engineer | 261313 |
| Software Tester | 261314 |
| Software and Applications Programmers nec | 261399 |
| Database Administrator | 262111 |
| Systems Administrator | 262113 |
| Multimedia Specialist | 261211 |
Science and business
Requirement: Science roles: a specified level 7 or 8 qualification; auditors: pay of at least NZ$45.50 an hour (130% of the median wage).
| Role | ANZSCO |
|---|---|
| Environmental Research Scientist | 234313 |
| Food Technologist | 234212 |
| Other Spatial Scientist | 232214 |
| External Auditor | 221213 |
| Internal Auditor | 221214 |
Tier 2: Work to Residence
You need to have worked in the role in New Zealand for 24 of the last 30 months, paid at least the rate shown for that time. You can use the median wage that applied when your 24 months started. Civil machinery and some construction roles use INZ's separate work to residence wage rates.
Trades
| Role | ANZSCO | Pay for 24 of the last 30 months |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Electrician | 321111 | Median wage |
| Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector) | 321212 | Median wage |
| Drainlayer | 334113 | Median wage |
| Electrician (General) | 341111 | Median wage |
| Gasfitter | 334114 | Median wage |
| Motor Mechanic (General) | 321211 | Median wage |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | 321213 | Median wage |
| Plumber (General) | 334111 | Median wage |
| Fitter (General) | 323211 | 130% of median |
| Fitter and Turner | 323212 | 130% of median |
| Fitter-Welder | 323213 | 130% of median |
| Metal Fabricator | 322311 | 130% of median |
| Metal Machinist (First Class) | 323214 | 130% of median |
| Pressure Welder | 322312 | 130% of median |
| Welder | 322313 | 130% of median |
| Panel Beater | 324111 | 115% of median |
| Vehicle Painter | 324311 | 115% of median |
| Telecommunications Technician | 342414 | 115% of median, or a NZ Certificate in Telecommunications |
Civil machinery and construction
| Role | ANZSCO | Pay for 24 of the last 30 months |
|---|---|---|
| Backhoe Operator | 721212 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Bulldozer Operator | 721213 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) | 721211 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Excavator Operator | 721214 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Grader Operator | 721215 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Loader Operator | 721216 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Paving Plant Operator | 721913 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Building Associate (Construction Supervisor) | 312112 | Work to residence wage rates |
| Crane Operator | 712111 | Wage rates, plus NZ Level 3 Certificate in Cranes with a Level 4 specialisation |
Dairy farming
| Role | ANZSCO | Pay for 24 of the last 30 months |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy Farm Manager, Dairy Cattle Farm Manager, Assistant Dairy Farm Manager, Dairy Cattle Farmer, Dairy Herd Manager | 121313 | Median wage, plus 3 years on a commercial farm |
Education
| Role | ANZSCO | Pay for 24 of the last 30 months |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (registered) | 241111 | Median wage |
| School Principal | 134311 | Median wage |
| Special Needs Teacher | 241511 | Median wage |
| Teacher of the Hearing Impaired | 241512 | Median wage |
| Teacher of the Sight Impaired | 241513 | Median wage |
| Special Education Teachers nec | 241599 | Median wage |
| Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages | 249311 | Median wage |
Other
| Role | ANZSCO | Pay for 24 of the last 30 months |
|---|---|---|
| Corrections Officer | 442111 | Median wage |
| Halal Slaughterer | 831212 | Median wage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer to use the Green List?
Yes. Both tiers need a job or job offer with an accredited employer.
Can I apply for Straight to Residence from overseas?
Yes, with a Tier 1 job offer and the registration or qualification required.
Is there an age limit for the Green List?
Yes, 55 or younger.
Are software engineers on the Green List?
Yes, Tier 1, but pay must be at least NZ$72.80 an hour (208% of the median wage). There's no qualification requirement.
Are electricians and plumbers on the Green List?
Yes, Tier 2: you can apply after 24 months' work in New Zealand at the median wage or more.
What if my role isn't on the Green List?
The Skilled Migrant Category may still lead to residence. See Skilled Migrant Category.
Getting help
If your role, registration and pay clearly match, you may apply yourself. A licensed immigration adviser helps when your job only partly matches a listed role, your registration is in progress, or your pay history has gaps. If INZ declines, talk to an adviser or immigration lawyer about your options.
Tell us your situation and we'll introduce you to a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer. It's free to ask.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand, "Green List roles — jobs we need people for in New Zealand" (all 215 entries), "Straight to Residence Visa" and "Work to Residence Visa" (immigration.govt.nz), read 29 October 2026.