Straight to Residence Visa

Who this pathway suits

The Green List is Immigration New Zealand's targeted fast-track mechanism to address severe national shortages in healthcare, engineering, construction, and information technology.Tier 1 roles provide immediate residence from day one. You do not need to work in New Zealand on a temporary visa first; as soon as you have a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer matching the Green List requirements, you can apply directly for residence.Eligible occupations include Medical Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Midwives, Civil Engineers, Software Engineers, ICT Security Specialists, and Secondary School Teachers.

Eligibility at a glance

• Age 55 or under at the time of application
• Current employment or full-time permanent job offer (or minimum 12-month contract) with an INZ Accredited Employer
• Occupation listed on Tier 1 of the official New Zealand Green List
• Meet the specific occupational requirements on the Green List (registration, Washington Accord engineering degree, or minimum salary threshold)
• English language competence: IELTS overall 6.5 or equivalent
• Standard health and character clearance

How the process works

1. Job Offer & Green List Verification — Secure a qualifying job offer from an Accredited Employer in a Tier 1 occupation.
2. Professional Registration & English — Obtain New Zealand regulatory registration (e.g. Nursing Council, Medical Council, Engineering NZ).
3. Submit Straight to Residence Application — Lodge online through the INZ portal with employer documentation.
4. Fast-Track Approval & Relocation — Receive resident visa and move directly to New Zealand with resident rights.

Documents you will typically need

• Employment agreement from Accredited Employer specifying Green List occupation and salary
• New Zealand professional registration (for healthcare/engineers) or accredited degree verification
• English test report, police certificates, medical examination receipts, passport

Frequently asked questions