New Zealand: Green List Changes Effective March 2027

Effective March 8, 2027, New Zealand will amend its Green List to reduce overlap with the new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence pathways announced in August 2026. 

The Green List identifies in-demand occupations that offer eligible skilled workers a pathway to residence. Tier 1 roles allow applicants to apply directly through the Straight to Residence Visa, while Tier 2 roles generally require 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand before applying through the Work to Residence Visa. Applicants must meet the relevant job, qualification, registration and pay requirements and have qualifying employment with an accredited employer.

The changes will remove 17 occupations from the Work to Residence pathway: 13 will have an alternative route under the SMC Trades and Technician pathway, while four will have an alternative route under the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway. Additionally, four special education teaching occupations will move to the Straight to Residence pathway, Career Counsellor will be removed from the Green List, and the eligibility criteria for Sterilisation Technicians will change. 

Individuals who begin qualifying work in an affected Work to Residence occupation before March 8, 2027, can continue counting that employment toward the 24-month work experience requirement, including qualifying work performed after the occupation is removed, provided they meet all other Work to Residence requirements. Employers can continue recruiting foreign nationals for these occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa program. However, occupations removed from the Green List will no longer qualify for Green List advertising exemptions or priority processing for Job Checks and visa applications, potentially increasing recruitment requirements and processing times. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.