On 7 April 2024, Immigration New Zealand updated which occupations sit on the Green List and which tier they belong to.
The short version
- New roles added to Tier 1 (Straight to Residence): Aviation and aircraft engineers, Naval Architect, and ICT Database and Systems Administrator moved up to Straight to Residence from 7 April 2024, according to the Immigration NZ announcement.
- Bus and truck drivers lost access: Work to Residence eligibility via the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) was removed for bus and truck drivers from the same date.
- Two tiers, two pathways: Tier 1 leads to a Straight to Residence visa. Tier 2 requires 24 months of relevant work experience in New Zealand before you can apply for residence, per the Green List residence pathway page.
- The authoritative list is Appendix 13 of the Operational Manual. The current version took effect 26 March 2025. Check it before you rely on any list you read elsewhere.
What it means for you
If you work in a technical or engineering field
Software Engineer (261313) sits on Tier 1, Straight to Residence, in the current list. That means no work-experience wait in New Zealand before applying for residence, provided you meet Immigration NZ’s other requirements.
Electrician General (341111) is on Tier 2. You need 24 months of relevant New Zealand work experience before the Work to Residence pathway opens.
Being on the Green List tells you a pathway exists. It does not tell you whether you will be approved or what other requirements apply. For that, speak to a registered migration agent.
If you advise clients on NZ pathways
The April 2024 update shifted some roles between tiers and removed others entirely. The list has also been updated since then. The current authoritative source is Operational Manual Appendix 13, effective 26 March 2025. An occupation’s tier in a blog post or summary guide may not match the current list.
Check before you rely on it
The Green List changes when Immigration NZ decides demand has shifted. The version effective 26 March 2025 is the current one, but it will change again.
Before you make any decision based on Green List membership:
- Open Appendix 13 of the Operational Manual and find your occupation by ANZSCO code.
- Note which tier it sits in and read the requirements for that tier on the Green List residence pathway page.
- If you are not sure of your ANZSCO code, browse the full occupation list or run your CV through the CV matcher to find the closest matches.
For advice on whether your situation meets the requirements, contact a registered migration agent. We find codes and surface facts; agents advise.
Sources
- Immigration NZ: changes to Work to Residence and the Green List (April 2024) → As of 04 Dec 2025
- Immigration NZ: Green List pathway to residence → As of 04 Dec 2025
- Operational Manual Appendix 13: Green List (effective 26 March 2025) → As of 04 Dec 2025