Green List Straight to Residence Visa:

Your Fast Track to New Zealand Residence

Are you a highly skilled professional with an occupation on New Zealand's coveted Green List Tier 1? The Green List Straight to Residence Visa offers a streamlined, direct pathway to residence in New Zealand for you and your family. This visa recognises the critical demand for your skills, allowing you to settle in Aotearoa with certainty.

At ZFS NZ, we specialise in guiding top talent through this accelerated residence pathway. We are dedicated to helping professionals like you secure your future in New Zealand.

What is the Green List Straight to Residence Visa?

The Green List is a list of highly skilled occupations that are in severe shortage in New Zealand. These roles are divided into two tiers, each offering a different pathway to residence:

  • Tier 1: Straight to Residence: If your occupation is on Tier 1 of the Green List, and you meet the specific requirements for that role, you may be eligible to apply directly for a Resident Visa from offshore or onshore. This means you don't typically need to work in New Zealand for a set period before applying for residence.

  • Tier 2: Work to Residence: For roles on Tier 2 of the Green List, you generally need to complete 24 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand before you can apply for a Resident Visa. (We have a separate page dedicated to the Work to Residence visa).

The Straight to Residence Visa is designed for those in Tier 1 roles, offering one of the most direct routes to living permanently in New Zealand.

Key Requirements for the Green List Straight to Residence Visa

To be eligible for this highly sought-after visa, you must generally meet the following criteria:

  1. Age: You must be 55 years of age or younger when you apply.

  2. English Language: You must meet the English language requirements (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge English, or OET). Your partner and dependent children aged 16 or older included in your application may also need to show evidence of English language ability or pre-purchase English language tuition.

  3. Good Health & Character: You and all family members included in your application must meet Immigration New Zealand's health and character requirements.

  4. Accredited Employer Job Offer/Employment: You must have an offer of employment, or be currently working, with an accredited employer in New Zealand.

    • The job must be for a role specified on Tier 1 of the Green List.

    • It must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week).

    • It must be permanent, or a fixed-term contract for at least 12 months, or a contract for services for at least 6 months.

    • You must be paid at or above the wage threshold specified for your particular Green List Tier 1 occupation (or the median wage if no specific rate is listed, but Green List roles often have higher specific thresholds).

  5. Meet Specific Green List Requirements for Your Role: Each Green List occupation has specific requirements regarding qualifications, occupational registration (if applicable), and/or work experience. You must precisely meet these requirements.

    • Qualifications: Often requires a specific NZQF level qualification, which for overseas qualifications may need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA.

    • Occupational Registration: Many roles, especially in healthcare and engineering, require New Zealand occupational registration before you can apply for the visa or even commence work.

    • Relevant Work Experience: Some roles may specify a certain number of years of relevant post-qualification work experience.

Benefits of the Green List Straight to Residence Visa

  • Accelerated Pathway: One of the fastest routes to gaining residence in New Zealand.

  • Direct Application: In many cases, you can apply for residence directly, without needing to hold a temporary work visa in New Zealand first. This offers significant peace of mind.

  • Permanent Rights: Live, work, and study indefinitely in New Zealand.

  • Family Inclusion: Your partner and dependent children (aged 24 or under) can be included in your resident visa application.

  • Immediate Benefits: Access to New Zealand's public healthcare system and education system upon arrival with your resident visa.

  • Pathway to Citizenship: After holding a resident visa for a certain period, you may be eligible to apply for New Zealand citizenship.

Is Your Occupation on the Green List Tier 1?

The Green List is subject to review and can be updated by Immigration New Zealand. Common Tier 1 occupations often include (but are not limited to) highly skilled roles in:

  • Healthcare: Many medical specialists, nurses, midwives, certain allied health professionals.

  • Engineering: Civil, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineers, and others.

  • ICT: Software Engineers, ICT Project Managers, and certain other tech roles.

  • Construction: Some specific senior construction roles.

It is crucial to verify your specific role and its detailed requirements on the official Immigration New Zealand Green List.

How ZFS NZ Can Guide You

The Green List Straight to Residence Visa, while direct, requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure all specific occupational and general immigration requirements are met. Our expertise is invaluable in navigating this process. We provide:

  • Precise Eligibility Assessment: A thorough evaluation of your qualifications, work experience, and job offer against the exact requirements for your specific Green List Tier 1 occupation.

  • Accredited Employer Verification: Ensuring your potential or current employer holds valid accreditation and that your job offer aligns perfectly with the approved Green List role.

  • Occupational Registration Assistance: Guidance on New Zealand occupational registration processes, which are often a prerequisite.

  • Comprehensive Documentation Support: Detailed checklists and meticulous preparation of all supporting documents, including NZQA assessments, police certificates, and precise employment evidence that clearly demonstrates you meet the Green List requirements.

  • Application Submission & Liaison: Expert preparation and submission of your Resident Visa application, and managing all communication with Immigration New Zealand on your behalf.

  • Risk Mitigation: Identifying and addressing any potential issues (e.g., health, character, documentation discrepancies) early in the process.

Ready to accelerate your move to New Zealand? Contact ZFS NZ today for a comprehensive consultation on the Green List Straight to Residence Visa. Let our Auckland-based Licensed Immigration Adviser expertise pave your way to a new life in Aotearoa.