Green List Work to Residence Visa

Your Path to Permanent Life in New Zealand After Working Here

Are you a skilled professional in an occupation on New Zealand's Green List Tier 2? The Green List Work to Residence Visa is designed for you. This pathway allows you to gain valuable work experience in New Zealand for two years, contributing your skills to an in-demand sector, before transitioning to permanent residency.

At ZFS NZ, we guide individuals through this structured pathway to residency. We are dedicated to helping professionals like you leverage your skills to build a future in New Zealand.

Understanding the Green List Work to Residence Visa

The Green List identifies occupations where New Zealand has a severe shortage of skilled workers. These roles are categorised into two tiers:

  • Tier 1: Straight to Residence: For highly specialised roles that allow direct application for a Resident Visa. (See our dedicated page for the Straight to Residence Visa).

  • Tier 2: Work to Residence: For roles where you first need to gain 24 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand within your Green List Tier 2 occupation before you can apply for a Resident Visa.

The Work to Residence Visa is your strategic pathway to residence if your occupation falls under Tier 2 of the Green List. It acknowledges your valuable contribution to the New Zealand workforce over a qualifying period.

Key Requirements for the Green List Work to Residence Visa

To be eligible for this resident visa, you must generally meet the following criteria:

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

  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. Skilled Employment in a Tier 2 Green List Role:

    • You must have worked in New Zealand for at least 24 months in a Green List Tier 2 occupation within the 30 months immediately before you apply for residence.

    • This work experience must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week).

    • The work must have been for an accredited employer.

    • Pay Rate: For the entire 24 months of qualifying work experience, and at the time you apply for residence, you must have been paid at least the median wage (currently NZD $33.56 per hour, effective from August 18, 2025, and subject to annual updates), or the specific wage threshold for your particular Green List Tier 2 occupation if one is listed.

    • You must have an offer of current employment (or be currently employed) in a Green List Tier 2 role at the time of your residence application.

  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 that you must meet.

    • 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 require New Zealand occupational registration. You must hold this if it's a requirement for your profession.

    • Relevant Work Experience: Some roles may specify a certain number of years of relevant post-qualification work experience from before you came to New Zealand, in addition to the 24 months in New Zealand.

The Work to Residence Pathway: A Typical Journey

  1. Secure a Job Offer: Obtain a full-time job offer from an accredited employer in a Green List Tier 2 occupation.

  2. Obtain a Work Visa: Apply for an appropriate work visa (most commonly an Accredited Employer Work Visa - AEWV) that allows you to work in your Green List Tier 2 role.

  3. Gain Work Experience: Work in your eligible Green List Tier 2 role in New Zealand for a minimum of 24 months (within a 30-month period), meeting the required pay thresholds.

  4. Apply for Residence: Once you have completed the 24 months of qualifying work experience, and meet all other criteria, you can then apply for the Green List Work to Residence Visa.

Benefits of the Work to Residence Visa

  • Clear Pathway: A well-defined route to gaining residence once you complete your work experience.

  • Experience New Zealand First: Allows you to live and work in New Zealand, experience the culture, and confirm it's the right place for you before committing to residence.

  • Permanent Rights: Upon approval, you gain the right to 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.

  • Access to Services: Enjoy access to New Zealand's public healthcare system and education system once you become a resident.

  • 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 2?

The Green List is regularly reviewed. Tier 2 occupations are diverse and often include in-demand roles across sectors such as:

  • Healthcare: Registered Nurses (specific areas), Medical Laboratory Technicians.

  • Education: Secondary School Teachers (specific subjects), Early Childhood Educators, School Principals.

  • Trades: Electricians, Plumbers, Mechanics, Automotive Electricians, and many more skilled trades.

  • Agriculture: Dairy Farm Managers.

  • Civil Machinery Operators: Backhoe, Bulldozer, Excavator Operators, etc.

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

How ZFS NZ Can Guide You

Navigating the Work to Residence pathway requires meticulous planning and adherence to strict requirements, especially concerning qualifying work experience and pay rates. Our expertise is essential to ensure your application is successful. We provide:

  • Precise Eligibility Assessment: A thorough evaluation of your qualifications, initial job offer, and the ongoing eligibility of your employment for the Work to Residence pathway.

  • Work Visa Strategy: Advice on obtaining the correct temporary work visa (e.g., AEWV) to commence your qualifying work period.

  • Work Experience Validation: Guidance on how to accurately track and document your 24 months of skilled work experience, ensuring it meets all INZ criteria.

  • Wage Rate Compliance: Verification that your salary consistently meets the required median wage or specific Green List thresholds throughout your qualifying period.

  • Comprehensive Documentation Support: Detailed checklists and meticulous preparation of all supporting documents for your resident visa application, including NZQA assessments, police certificates, and robust employment evidence.

  • 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., gaps in employment, pay discrepancies, documentation shortfalls) early in the process.

Ready to turn your valuable work experience into permanent residency in New Zealand? Contact ZFS NZ today for a comprehensive consultation on the Green List Work to Residence Visa. Let our Auckland-based Licensed Immigration Adviser expertise pave your way to a new life in Aotearoa.