New Zealand's Green List occupations, explained: Tier 1 vs Tier 2

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New Zealand publishes a list of the jobs it most needs people to fill. That list is called the Green List, and it is split into two tiers. Your tier determines how you can reach residence.

Tier 1: Straight to Residence. If your occupation is on Tier 1, you can apply for a Straight to Residence Visa directly. No NZ work experience is required first.

Tier 2: Work to Residence. If your occupation is on Tier 2, you need 24 months of relevant work experience in New Zealand before you can move to residence.

That single difference, 0 months versus 24 months, is worth understanding before you plan anything.

What the Green List actually is

The Green List is the authoritative reference for NZ’s skilled residence pathways. The version with ANZSCO codes is NZ Immigration Operational Manual Appendix 13, effective 26 March 2025. It maps each in-demand job to a 6-digit ANZSCO code.

Being on the list does not guarantee you will get residence. It means the pathway exists. You still need to meet the requirements for the relevant visa, including qualifications, registration, and an offer from an employer in some cases. For advice on your specific situation, speak to a registered migration agent licensed in New Zealand.

Tier 1: Straight to Residence

Tier 1 covers highly specialised roles where NZ has strong demand. The list is weighted toward health, engineering, and ICT.

Health and medicine (a large part of Tier 1):

Engineering:

ICT:

Education:

Construction management:

These are examples from a longer list. You can browse all occupation codes to check your specific code.

Tier 2: Work to Residence

Tier 2 covers skilled trades and some specialist roles where NZ wants workers already in the country and experienced in the local context. The 24-month requirement is measured from relevant NZ work experience, not overseas experience.

Trades (most of Tier 2 is trades):

Heavy plant and earthmoving:

Education:

Other Tier 2 roles:

Again, this is a selection. Check NZ Immigration Operational Manual Appendix 13 for the complete list with all conditions.

One important distinction: list membership vs shortage

Being on the NZ Green List means a residence pathway exists for that occupation. It is not the same as a shortage rating. New Zealand does not publish per-occupation shortage ratings the way Australia does with its annual Occupation Shortage List. The Green List is the NZ government’s signal of demand, not a shortage measure.

If you are also looking at Australia, note that the two countries assess the same occupation independently. Software Engineer (261313), for example, is on NZ’s Tier 1 Green List but rated “No Shortage” in Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List. The same code, two different reads. Keep them separate.

How to check your code

Every Green List entry uses a 6-digit ANZSCO 2022 code. If you know your code, look it up directly at /en/anzsco/2022/<your-code>. Each page shows the occupation’s visa list memberships and the NZ Green List tier where it applies.

If you are not sure which code fits your job, browse the full ANZSCO index or, if you want to map a CV to possible codes, try the CV matcher at app.anzscofinder.com.

Confirm before you rely on it

The Green List changes. The current version is effective 26 March 2025. Always verify your occupation’s status on NZ Immigration Operational Manual Appendix 13 before making any decisions.

For advice on whether your qualifications meet the requirements, or whether you are eligible to apply, speak to a registered migration agent licensed in New Zealand. We show facts; we do not tell you what to apply for.

Know someone weighing a move to AU or NZ?

Sources

NZ Immigration: Green List pathway to residence → As of 25 Sept 2025
NZ Immigration Operational Manual, Appendix 13: Green List (effective 26 Mar 2025) → As of 25 Sept 2025
NZ Immigration: Find your ANZSCO skill level → As of 25 Sept 2025
ABS: ANZSCO 2022 → As of 25 Sept 2025