The Green List is a list of occupations that qualify for a fast-track to residence or have access to a work-to-residence pathway. A range of jobs are on the list, including health workers, vets, engineers and ICT specialists. Some of these roles will need to be paid a minimum salary, which will be tied to the median wage, with higher pay for some roles.

The list also aims to make it easier to hire skilled migrants on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), as accredited employers will be able to hire migrants on an AEWV if the role is on the Green List, and an employer will be able to complete the job check without proof of advertising.

Employers do not need to advertise for the job check if the role is paid at least twice the median wage.

To qualify for a work visa under the Green List, an overseas applicant will have to have a job offer that matches that occupation’s description or requirements and be able to prove that their overseas qualification meets the comparable New Zealand qualification standard for their occupation.

It is not simply a matter of matching a job title, and it’s a very narrowly defined list. Employers need to be accredited to be able to offer a candidate a job role.

The specific qualification requirements that are detailed on the Green List are all based on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) unless stated otherwise.

For a candidate to qualify under that framework, the applicant must either get a New Zealand Qualifications Authority assessment of their qualification, or have a qualification that is on the list of qualifications exempt from assessment.