Green List New Zealand 2026: Tier 1, Tier 2 Jobs & Residence Pathways for Indians

For Indian professionals considering New Zealand as a long-term career destination, Green List New Zealand is one of the most important occupation-based skilled residence pathways to understand. It connects certain in-demand jobs with either the Straight to Residence Visa or the Work to Residence Visa, depending on whether the occupation is classified as Tier 1 or Tier 2.

However, seeing your occupation on a shortage list does not automatically mean that you qualify. Immigration New Zealand can require the correct job or job offer, an accredited employer, specified remuneration, professional registration, qualifications, health, character and English evidence.

Indian candidates who are still at the employment stage should first read WorkAbroad's New Zealand work visa guide for Indians. That guide focuses on working in New Zealand, while this article focuses specifically on skilled residence pathways.

New Zealand Green List 2026: Quick Facts

The current official Straight to Residence page lists a starting cost of NZD $6,450, an age limit of 55 or younger and processing of 80% within 3 months. The Work to Residence Visa also starts from NZD $6,450 and requires 24 months of qualifying employment.

What Is the New Zealand Green List?

Green List New Zealand is Immigration New Zealand's official list of roles where skilled workers are needed. It is important to understand that the Green List itself is not a visa. Instead, it identifies jobs that can support specific residence pathways when all occupation and visa requirements are satisfied.

The two main routes are:

• Tier 1 → Straight to Residence Visa

• Tier 2 → Work to Residence Visa

Immigration New Zealand maintains a live occupation search because requirements can change. The role entry can specify qualifications, registration, experience and remuneration conditions.

If your occupation is not listed, that does not automatically mean New Zealand residence is impossible. Other skilled migration pathways may be relevant, including the Skilled Migrant Category. You can compare broader options through WorkAbroad's immigration and skilled migration services.

Tier 1 vs Tier 2: What Is the Difference?

Under Green List New Zealand, Tier 1 and Tier 2 represent two very different routes to residence. Tier 1 can potentially allow an eligible candidate to apply directly for a Resident Visa, while Tier 2 requires qualifying work experience in New Zealand first.

Tier 1: Straight to Residence Visa

The Straight to Residence Visa is for applicants who have or are offered a qualifying Tier 1 job with an accredited employer. The applicant must also meet any specific registration, qualification, wage, health, character and English requirements.

A particularly useful feature for Indians is that an eligible Tier 1 applicant does not necessarily have to work in New Zealand for two years before applying.

The official route is designed around qualifying Tier 1 employment.

Straight to Residence Job Conditions

The job generally needs to be:

• with an accredited employer;

• a Tier 1 occupation;

• paid at the specified occupation rate or applicable median wage;

• full-time;

• permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months, or satisfy the applicable contract conditions.

The residence visa lets an approved holder live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.

Tier 2: Work to Residence Visa

Tier 2 is different.

You need at least 24 months of qualifying full-time work in New Zealand before applying for residence. Immigration New Zealand currently examines the 30 months immediately before the application and requires at least 24 months of qualifying work during that period.

The 24 months do not always have to be one uninterrupted block. INZ gives an example where two 12-month periods within the 30-month window can qualify.

Which Jobs Are Included in 2026?

Jobs under Green List New Zealand span several areas where New Zealand needs skilled labour, but applicants should not rely on a third-party article claiming one fixed number of occupations. INZ maintains a live searchable list precisely because roles and requirements can change.

Important sectors include:

• healthcare;

• engineering;

• construction;

• ICT and technology;

• education;

• selected trades;

• specialist technical occupations.

Healthcare Roles

Many health professions require professional registration before immigration eligibility becomes useful.

A qualification alone does not necessarily allow someone to practise in a regulated health profession in New Zealand.

Engineering and Construction

The current official Green List includes various engineering and construction occupations, but qualification and remuneration requirements vary by role.

ICT and Technology

Technology professionals need to be particularly careful about salary requirements.

For example, the current official Green List instructions list roles such as:

• ICT Project Manager

• Analyst Programmer

• Developer Programmer

• Software Engineer

• Software Tester

• ICT Security Specialist

• Database Administrator

• Systems Administrator

For several of these ICT roles, current Green List instructions specify remuneration of NZD $70 per hour or NZD $145,600 annually based on a 40-hour week. Some contract-for-services arrangements have even higher requirements.

This is why an Indian software professional should not assume that merely earning above the NZD $35 median wage is sufficient.

For broader occupation research, see WorkAbroad's guide to the best jobs to settle abroad from India.

Skilled Trades

Ten additional trades became eligible for Work to Residence from 18 August 2025, including occupations such as metal fabrication, welding, fitting and vehicle-related trades. The exact live requirements should still be verified before accepting employment.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility under Green List New Zealand depends on much more than having a matching occupation title. The applicant must satisfy the conditions attached to the specific role as well as the requirements of the relevant residence visa.

Common requirements include:

• age 55 or younger;

• qualifying employment or job offer;

• accredited employer;

• full-time employment;

• correct remuneration;

• occupation-specific qualification;

• professional registration where applicable;

• acceptable health;

• acceptable character;

• English-language ability.

Job Duties Matter

Do not select an occupation only because your Indian job title looks similar.

The actual role and supporting evidence must align with the occupation and immigration requirements.

Employer Accreditation Matters

Tier 1 and Tier 2 pathways both depend on employment with an appropriately accredited employer.

A recruiter promising “direct New Zealand PR” without identifying the employer or verifying accreditation should be treated cautiously.

Salary and Wage Requirements in 2026

The current median wage reference used in these skilled residence settings is NZD $35.00 per hour from 9 March 2026.

However:

NZD $35/hour is not a universal Green List salary.

Some occupations have:

• occupation-specific rates;

• multiples of the median wage;

• substantially higher salary requirements.

Tier 1 Salary

For Straight to Residence, the job must pay either:

• the specific wage stated for that occupation; or

• NZD $35/hour where the Green List role does not specify another rate.

Tier 2 Salary

For current Work to Residence rules, your wage can affect when your qualifying work starts or stops being counted.

If you change jobs, the new role must meet the relevant wage requirement. If your pay falls below the required rate, the period may stop counting until you satisfy the requirement again.

Important Tier 2 Wage Change From 24 August 2026

This is one of the most important current updates.

From 24 August 2026, New Zealand will change how required wage rates are calculated for Tier 2 Work to Residence.

Under the new rules, applicants will generally need to maintain the qualifying rate that applied when they started counting relevant work experience rather than being forced to meet a later, higher threshold at the residence stage.

INZ is also introducing a grace-period rule in certain cases where the wage threshold rises between visa approval and the start of employment.

Important: As of 19 August 2026, these rules are announced but not yet effective. They take effect on 24 August 2026.

Is IELTS Mandatory?

English-language ability is required, but IELTS specifically is not the only accepted method.

Immigration New Zealand allows skilled-residence applicants to demonstrate English through qualifying citizenship/study circumstances or an approved test.

Current principal-applicant test minimums include:

English test results normally need to be no more than two years old at application under the current rules.

If IELTS is your preferred route, WorkAbroad's IELTS General Training guide can help with preparation. Note, however, that Immigration New Zealand also accepts IELTS Academic for this skilled residence English requirement.

English for Family Members

A partner or dependent child aged 16 or older included in a skilled residence application must also meet applicable English requirements or, where permitted, pay for English tuition in New Zealand. Children younger than 16 do not have an English requirement.

Do Indian Qualifications Need an IQA?

Not every Indian degree automatically requires an International Qualification Assessment.

Immigration New Zealand says most qualifications gained outside New Zealand require an IQA where equivalence or comparability must be shown, but exemptions exist.

This is particularly relevant for Indians because New Zealand expanded its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment in June 2025 to include certain qualifications from India.

Therefore, before paying for an IQA:

1. Check your exact occupation requirement.

2. Check whether your qualification is exempt.

3. Check Washington/Sydney Accord treatment if applicable.

4. Obtain the appropriate NZQA assessment only when required.

An IQA and professional registration are separate concepts.

How to Apply From India

Indian applicants using Green List New Zealand should begin with occupation and employer verification—not with a visa consultant promising a guaranteed result.

Step 1: Find Your Exact Role

Use Immigration New Zealand's official Green List search.

Check:

• tier;

• occupation;

• qualification;

• registration;

• experience;

• remuneration.

Step 2: Determine Tier 1 or Tier 2

If you qualify for Tier 1, Straight to Residence may be available without first completing 24 months of New Zealand work.

If you are Tier 2, plan for the required qualifying New Zealand employment period.

Step 3: Find an Accredited Employer

Verify the employer rather than trusting only a recruitment message.

Your offer should clearly show:

• position;

• job duties;

• hours;

• salary;

• employment duration.

Step 4: Check Registration

For regulated occupations, complete or confirm the applicable New Zealand professional-registration requirement.

Step 5: Check Your Qualification

Determine whether the role requires:

• a particular NZQF level;

• an overseas equivalent;

• professional membership;

• registration;

• IQA.

Step 6: Prepare English Evidence

Use a qualifying English-speaking background or an accepted test.

Step 7: Prepare Health and Character Documents

Straight to Residence currently requires applicable medical/X-ray evidence and police certificates. Police certificates generally need to be less than six months old when submitted, and INZ specifies the relevant countries from which they are required.

Step 8: Apply Online

For Straight to Residence, the official process is:

1. Gather documents.

2. Submit the online application and pay the fee.

3. Wait for INZ's decision.

4. Track application status.

Candidates needing support with employer targeting, overseas-job planning or visa documentation can review WorkAbroad's overseas career and visa services.

Documents You May Need

Your exact checklist depends on the visa and personal circumstances, but common evidence can include:

• passport;

• acceptable photograph;

• employment agreement or job-offer letter;

• evidence of hours, salary and duration;

• qualification documents;

• IQA where required;

• professional registration;

• English evidence;

• police certificates;

• medical examination;

• chest X-ray;

• marriage/birth documents for accompanying family;

• certified English translations where needed.

The official Straight to Residence checklist specifically requires identity, health, character, English and qualifying-employment evidence.

Fees and Processing Time

Straight to Residence Visa

Current official figures:

• Cost: from NZD $6,450

• Processing: 80% within 3 months

• Age: 55 or younger

• Stay: indefinitely

• Family: partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger may be included.

This 3-month figure is current official information as of 19 August 2026 and is more precise than generic third-party statements saying the application simply takes “a few months.”

Work to Residence Visa

Current official information includes:

• Cost: from NZD $6,450

• Age: 55 or younger

• Qualifying NZ work: 24 months

• Stay after approval: indefinitely

• Family: partner and eligible dependent children may be included.

Because the current visa page does not display a comparable headline “80% within X months” figure, avoid publishing an invented fixed processing time.

Resident Visa vs Permanent Resident Visa

Calling Tier 1 “instant permanent residency” is technically imprecise.

A successful applicant receives a Straight to Residence Visa, which permits indefinite living, working and studying in New Zealand.

However, a Permanent Resident Visa is a separate status.

After holding the Straight to Residence Visa for two consecutive years, an eligible holder can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which provides indefinite travel rights.

This distinction matters for accurate WorkAbroad content.

Can Your Partner and Children Come With You?

Yes.

Both Straight to Residence and Work to Residence allow eligible applicants to include:

• a partner; and

• dependent children aged 24 or younger.

Family members must satisfy applicable relationship, health, character and English requirements.

Do not confuse inclusion in a residence application with temporary partner-of-worker visa rights before residence is approved.

What If a Tier 2 Job Is Removed From the List?

There is a useful protection in the current Work to Residence rules.

If an occupation is removed after you have started qualifying work, INZ states that the time already worked in that job can continue to count toward the required 24 months, subject to the remaining eligibility requirements.

Therefore, occupation removal does not necessarily erase all qualifying work already accumulated.

New Zealand Green List vs Skilled Migrant Category

The Green List route is occupation-driven, while the Skilled Migrant Category is a broader skilled-residence system.

The current SMC requires an acceptable skilled job or job offer and uses a points-based framework linked to factors such as occupational registration, qualifications, income and New Zealand skilled work experience.

From 24 August 2026

Two additional SMC pathways will be introduced:

• Skilled Work Experience pathway

• Trades and Technician pathway.

These pathways sit alongside the existing SMC framework and do not replace the Green List residence routes.

Indian applicants whose occupations are not on the Green List should compare these pathways once they take effect rather than assuming they have no New Zealand residence option.

Key 2026 Updates Indian Applicants Should Know

The Green List New Zealand remains a major skilled residence pathway in 2026, but applicants need to distinguish rules already in force from those starting on 24 August.

NZD $35 Median Wage

From 9 March 2026, the relevant median-wage reference is NZD $35/hour for Green List roles without another specified threshold.

Tier 2 Wage Change

From 24 August 2026, qualifying work will generally continue to be assessed against the relevant rate in place when the work-experience clock began, subject to the new rules.

SMC Expansion

Two new Skilled Migrant Category pathways begin on 24 August 2026.

Qualification Rules Continue to Matter

India was added to the updated qualification-exemption arrangements in 2025, but not every Indian qualification is automatically exempt from assessment.

Common Mistakes Indian Applicants Should Avoid

Assuming a Job Title Guarantees Eligibility

Always check the official role entry and requirements.

Assuming Every Role Only Needs NZD $35/hour

Several roles have higher occupation-specific remuneration requirements. ICT is a strong example.

Using a Non-Accredited Employer

The relevant residence pathways require qualifying accredited employment.

Thinking IELTS Is Optional Because English Is Optional

English is required. IELTS is simply one of several ways of proving it.

Paying for IQA Without Checking Exemptions

Check your exact qualification first.

Treating Tier 2 as Direct Residence

Tier 2 requires 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand.

Calling Resident Visa and Permanent Resident Visa the Same Thing

They are separate immigration statuses.

Using an Old Occupation Screenshot

Always use INZ's live searchable Green List.

Paying for a Guaranteed Job or Guaranteed Residence

No private recruiter controls Immigration New Zealand's residence decision.

Final Checklist

Before moving forward, verify:

• exact occupation;

• Tier 1 or Tier 2;

• live official Green List requirements;

• employer accreditation;

• employment contract;

• salary threshold;

• job duties;

• qualification;

• IQA requirement;

• professional registration;

• English evidence;

• age eligibility;

• medical requirements;

• police certificates;

• family documentation;

• current 2026 wage rules;

• whether your application is before or after 24 August 2026.

Conclusion

For skilled Indian professionals, Green List New Zealand can provide a structured route to New Zealand residence when the applicant has the right occupation, qualifying employment with an accredited employer and satisfies all role-specific and immigration requirements.

Tier 1 offers the Straight to Residence route, while Tier 2 requires 24 months of qualifying New Zealand work before a Work to Residence application.

The most important rule is not to rely on a generic shortage occupation list. Check the live role, salary, qualification and registration conditions immediately before taking action.