Today, more and more Vietnamese workers are heading overseas for employment, yet few are fully aware of the benefits a New Zealand visa offers for the future. Let’s explore the opportunities about the immigration in New Zealand with KOROO in the article below!
What is the Green List?
The Green List is part of New Zealand’s border reopening and immigration reform strategy. It offers a fast-tracked pathway to residency or a “Work to Residence” route for highly skilled migrants in hard-to-fill roles. Through these changes, the New Zealand Government aims to build a more productive and higher-wage economy by attracting qualified workers instead of relying on low-skilled labor.
This list helps employers hire and retain migrants in sectors with skill shortages such as construction, engineering, trades, healthcare, and IT.
The Green List from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is designed to accelerate the residency process for specific occupations and is divided into two categories:
- Tier 1 Occupations – Eligible for Straight to Residence Visa
- Tier 2 Occupations – Eligible for Work to Residence Visa after working for 2 years
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Benefits of Having Your Job on the Green List:
- Faster Visa Processing
If your job is on the Green List, your visa application will be prioritized, reducing wait times so you can begin your new life in New Zealand sooner. - Global Skill Recognition
Being listed on the Green List means your profession is in demand and valued. It opens doors to career growth and future opportunities once you’re settled. - Job Security & High Demand
These roles reflect actual skill shortages in New Zealand. That means higher job security and competitive pay. Key industries such as healthcare (e.g., nurses, doctors) and construction (e.g., civil engineers, quantity surveyors) rely on skilled professionals, making you a crucial part of the workforce. - Family Support
Green List visa pathways may allow you to bring your family. Your partner can apply for an open work visa and your children may qualify for local education and public healthcare, ensuring a higher quality of life for your loved ones.
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Requirements:
- You must have a job offer from an Accredited Employer in New Zealand
- Your job must be full-time with a contract of at least 12 months
- Provide all required documentation such as: police clearance, medical certificates, proof of English proficiency, and other job-specific requirements
Example for the Meat Processing Industry:
Position: Halal Slaughterer
ANZSCO Code: 831212
Eligibility: Tier 2 – Work to Residence Pathway
Industry: Meat Processing
Residency Pathway:
If you’re working in this role and meet the criteria, you can apply for residency after 2 years of work in New Zealand.
You must be paid at least the current median wage.
Green List Requirement:
You must work for an approved employer at a certified facility listed under the “Approved Halal Animal Product Premises (excluding dairy)” by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
How to Land a Job on the Green List?
- Review and Prepare Your Documents:
Make sure your qualifications match Green List roles and prepare accordingly. - Find a Trusted Accredited Employer or Immigration Service:
Due to rising scams, it is crucial to select a reliable agency or employer.
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We provide expert guidance to help you access New Zealand’s job market with fast, affordable, and transparent visa solutions.
| Tier | Industry Group | Occupations |
| Tier 1 – Straight to Residence (Định cư ngay lập tức) | Engineering | Acoustic Engineer Aeronautical Engineer Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) Chemical Engineer Civil Engineer Civil Engineering Technician Electrical Engineer Electrical Engineering Technician Electronic Engineering Technician Electronics Engineer Environmental Engineer Engineering Professionals nec Geotechnical Engineer Industrial Engineer Materials Engineer Mechanical Engineer Production or Plant Engineer Structural Engineer Telecommunications Engineer Telecommunications Network Engineer |
| Construction | Construction Project Manager Project Builder (inc Building PM and Site Foreman) Quantity Surveyor Surveyor |
|
| Health & Social Services | Addiction practitioner/alcohol & drug clinician Anaesthetic Technician Anaesthetist Audiologist Audiometrist Cardiologist Cardiothoracic Surgeon Chiropractor Clinical physiologists (sleep, renal, exercise, respiratory, neurology, and cardiac) Clinical Haematologist Clinical Psychologist Clinical dental technician Counsellor Dermatologist Dental specialists Dental technician Dental therapist Dentist Dietician Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist Dispensing optician Drug and alcohol counsellor Educational Psychologist Emergency Medicine Specialist Emergency Nurse Endocrinologist Enrolled nurse Gastroenterologist General Practitioner Genetic counsellor Intensive Care Specialist Medical Diagnostic (Medical Imaging Technologist) Medical Laboratory Scientist Medical Laboratory Technician Medical Oncologist Medical Practitioners nec Medical Radiation Therapist Medical laboratory pre-analytical technician Medical resonance imaging technologist Midwife Neurologist Neurosurgeon Nuclear medicine technologist Nurse practitioner Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Occupational Therapist Ophthalmologist Organisational Psychologist Orthopaedic Surgeon Orthoptist Otorhinolaryngologist Optometrist Oral health therapist Orthotic and prosthetic technician Orthotist/prosthetist Osteopath Paediatric Surgeon Paediatrician Pathologist Paramedic/emergency medical technician Perfusionist (cardiac) Pharmacist Physiotherapist Physicist (Medical) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Play therapist (hospital) Podiatrist Psychiatrist Psychologists nec Psychotherapist Radiation Oncologist Registered Nurse (Aged Care) Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) Registered Nurse (Community Health) Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) Registered Nurse (Medical) Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) Registered Nurse (Mental Health) Registered Nurse (Perioperative) Registered Nurse (Surgical) Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) Registered Nurses nec Renal Medicine Specialist Resident Medical Officer Rheumatologist Sonographer Social worker Specialist Physician (General Medicine) Specialist Physicians nec Speech language therapist Sterilisation Technician Surgeon (General) Thoracic Medicine Specialist Urologist Vascular Surgeon Veterinarian |
|
| IT & Telecommunications | Analyst Programmer Database Administrator Chief Information Officer Software and Applications Programmers nec Developer Programmer ICT Security Specialist ICT Managers nec ICT Project Manager Software Engineer Multimedia Specialist Software Tester Systems Adm |
|
| Others | Environmental Research Scientist External Auditor Food Technologist Primary School Teacher Middle School Teacher / Intermediate School Teacher Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Teacher Pouako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Senior Teacher Secondary School Teachers – all specialisations Internal Auditor Mechanical Engineering Technician Naval Architect / Marine Designer Other Spat |
|
| Tier 2 -Work to Residence (Định cư sau 2 năm làm việc) | Construction | Backhoe Operator Bulldozer Operator Crane, Hoist or Lifter Operator Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) Excavator Operator Grader Operator Loader Operator |
| Trades | Automotive Electrician Diesel Motor Mechanic (inc Heavy Vehicle Inspector) Drainlayers Electrician (General) Gasfitters Motor mechanic – General Motorcycle mechanic Plumber (General) |
|
| Others | Corrections Officer Dairy Cattle Farmer (Dairy Cattle Farm Manager) including Dairy Farm Manager, Assistant Dairy Farm Manager and Dairy Herd Manager School Principal Halal slaughterers Teacher of the Hearing Impaired Teacher of the Sight Impaired Special Education Teachers Special Needs Teacher Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages – if working in a primary, intermediate or secondary school |
Below is the official Green List of occupations supported for residency under Immigration New Zealand’s policies.
There has never been a better time to make your move — let us help you take the next step, no matter your background.
📞 Contact KOROO today for more info on working in New Zealand!
