Affected workers may instead qualify via Skilled Migrant Category
New Zealand will remove 17 occupations from the Green List's Work to Residence pathway next year, saying the roles are now covered by newer routes to residence under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that the change will take effect from 8 March 2027, following the introduction of new SMC pathways in August 2026.
The affected occupations are currently listed among the Tier 2 Green List roles, which allow migrants to apply for residence after 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand.
"The new SMC pathways introduced in August 2026 mean that a number of occupations now have overlapping residence pathways," pathways," the INZ website read.
"Removing them from the Tier 2 Green List roles for the Work to Residence Visa simplifies the residence system by reducing duplication and helps ensure the Green List remains clear, focused and aligned with New Zealand's immigration and workforce needs."
Where the roles are going
Thirteen of the occupations will be eligible through the SMC Trades and Technician pathway. They are:
- Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor)
- Automotive Electrician
- Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
- Motor Mechanic (General)
- Motorcycle Mechanic
- Panel Beater
- Vehicle Painter
- Metal Fabricator
- Welder
- Fitter (General)
- Fitter and Turner
- Fitter-Welder
- Metal Machinist (First Class)
The remaining four – crane, hoist or lift operators, telecommunications technicians, paving plant operators and pressure welders – will be eligible through the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway.
Workers in these roles may instead qualify for residence through the SMC, but they will need to meet the qualification, work experience and wage requirements of the relevant pathway, which differ from those of the Work to Residence Visa.
INZ said that for many experienced workers, the SMC pathways will offer a more accessible route to residence, depending on the pathway, through lower wage thresholds, shorter New Zealand work requirements or no specified qualification requirement.
However, the agency also acknowledged that the pathways have different eligibility requirements and may not be more accessible for everyone.
Impact on employers
Employers can continue to recruit migrants in the affected occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), provided they meet the relevant requirements.
But the Green List settings that currently apply to these roles will no longer be available. These include labour market test exemptions where applicable and priority processing for job check and AEWV applications.
Transitional arrangements
Meanwhile, INZ said transitional arrangements will be available for people already progressing towards residence through the Work to Residence pathway.
Those who have started accumulating qualifying work experience before the changes take effect can continue counting it towards the existing 24-month requirement.
"People covered by the transitional arrangements will still need to meet all other residence requirements," the agency added.
Other Green List changes
The announcement also outlined changes affecting three other groups.
Four special education teaching occupations – special needs teachers, teachers of the hearing impaired, teachers of the sight impaired and special education teachers not elsewhere classified – will move to the Straight to Residence pathway. This means eligible people can apply for residence directly without first completing two years of qualifying work in New Zealand.
INZ said the move aligns their pathway with comparable teaching roles, as special education teachers are registered teachers delivering the same curriculum as other teachers.
Green List eligibility for sterilisation technicians will be limited to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association, while career counsellors will be removed from the Tier 1 Straight to Residence list.
INZ said career counsellors were included when allied healthcare occupations were added to the Green List, but the role does not align with the original focus of those additions. They may still be eligible for residence through the SMC or other pathways.
The Green List is expected to be reviewed in 2027, according to INZ.
