Straight to Residence

Residence Through INZ’s Green List Categories

If your occupation is listed on Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) Green List, you may be eligible for residence under either the Straight to Residence Category or the Green List Work to Residence Category. These visa pathways are designed for individuals working in occupations identified as being in critical shortage in New Zealand.

Eligibility Criteria for Green List Residence Categories Straight to Residence Visa

You can qualify for this visa if you:

• - Are offered a position listed in Tier 1 of INZ’s Green List.
• - Meet the qualification, work experience, or pay requirements for your listed occupation.
• - Tier 1 roles are primarily in construction, health, engineering, and ICT industries.

Green List Work to Residence Visa

You may qualify for this visa if you:

• - Are employed in a Tier 2 Green List occupation.
• - Work in that role for at least two years.

For both visa categories, you must:

You can qualify for this visa if you:

• - Meet the English language requirement.
• - Satisfy INZ’s health and character standards.
• - Be employed by an INZ-accredited employer at the time of your application.

Application Timelines

The Straight to Residence Category has been open since 5 September 2022.

The Skilled Residence Category opened on 29 September 2023, enabling applicants to claim credit for two years of work experience in a Tier 2 occupation starting on or after 29 September 2021.

Support for Your Green List Visa Application

At Immigrate Worldwide Services, our licensed immigration advisers are here to assist you in determining your eligibility for residence under the Straight to Residence or Green List Work to Residence categories. We can guide you through the process to ensure you’re prepared to apply as soon as you meet the requirements.

Speak with our team today to take the next step toward securing your New Zealand residence.