TL;DR — The Green List is Immigration New Zealand’s list of high-demand occupations with streamlined residence pathways. Tier 1 offers Straight to Residence for eligible offers; Tier 2 offers Work to Residence after 24 months in a qualifying role. Common Tier 1 and Tier 2 roles are in healthcare, engineering, construction and ICT.
The Green List is why New Zealand keeps appearing on Nepali applicants’ shortlists in engineering, IT and healthcare. It compresses the path from graduate visa to permanent residence for occupations New Zealand needs to fill. This piece explains how it actually works.
Tier 1: Straight to Residence
- Applicants with a job offer in a Tier 1 Green List role can apply for residence directly, without spending years on a work visa first.
- Common Tier 1 roles include specialist doctors (ANZSCO codes 2531xx), some engineering disciplines, and specialist ICT roles.
- Occupation-specific salary and registration requirements apply.
Tier 2: Work to Residence
- Applicants working in a Tier 2 Green List role can apply for residence after 24 months of employment in that role in New Zealand.
- Common Tier 2 roles include Registered Nurses (ANZSCO 2544xx), most engineering roles, secondary teachers, and construction trades.
- Registration and salary thresholds must be met throughout.
Sector spotlight
- Healthcare: Registered Nurse (Tier 2), Midwife, several specialist medical roles (Tier 1).
- Engineering: Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Environmental, Geotechnical (mostly Tier 2).
- ICT: ICT Security Specialist, Multimedia Specialist, Software Engineer (some Tier 1, most Tier 2).
- Construction: Construction Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor.
- Education: Secondary School Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher.
Eligibility conditions
- Valid Tier 1 or Tier 2 role offer with an accredited employer.
- Meet the salary threshold specific to the role.
- Meet the occupational registration or qualification specific to the role (AHPRA-equivalent for health, Engineering New Zealand for engineers, Teaching Council for teachers).
- Meet English language, health and character requirements.
The student-visa route into the Green List
- Complete a Level 7 or higher New Zealand qualification aligned to a Green List occupation.
- Apply for the Post-Study Work Visa (up to 3 years for Level 7+).
- Secure employment with an accredited employer in the target role.
- Tier 1: apply for residence when the offer is confirmed. Tier 2: apply for residence after 24 months in the role.
Common Nepali profile fits
- Bachelor of Nursing plus registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
- Bachelor of Engineering plus assessment by Engineering New Zealand.
- Master in a Green-List-aligned ICT specialisation plus post-study work in that role.
Key takeaways
- Tier 1 = Straight to Residence with a qualifying offer.
- Tier 2 = Work to Residence after 24 months in the role.
- Salary and registration requirements are strict; verify per role.
- Student-visa route: Level 7+ qualification aligned to a Green List occupation.
- Green List is a defensible reason to choose New Zealand for engineering, IT and healthcare.
Important: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or migration advice. Rules, fees and eligibility criteria change; verify current guidance on the Immigration New Zealand website and speak to The Next Education counsellors or a licensed New Zealand immigration adviser before taking any action based on this content.
Related resources
See our Study in New Zealand hub, New Zealand student visa process, and Study Nursing Abroad.