This guide combines verified facts with LM’s education and pathway-planning perspective. Suitability varies by person and rules can change. An individual profile review is needed before decisions are made. Where personalised immigration advice is required, LM can connect you with an appropriately licensed or exempt professional.
The Green List identifies occupations connected to the Straight to Residence and Work to Residence pathways. A relevant qualification can help someone prepare for an occupation, but applicants still need to meet the exact job, employer, pay, registration, qualification and visa requirements.
LM considers the Green List a useful research signal, not a course-selection guarantee. Its value depends on whether a person can realistically qualify for, enter and remain employable in the actual occupation. That requires an individual profile review and, where immigration strategy is involved, licensed advice.
What to know first
- Tier 1 roles can connect to Straight to Residence when all criteria are met.
- Tier 2 roles generally require 24 months of qualifying New Zealand work before Work to Residence.
- The general Green List wage floor is NZD 35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026 where no role-specific rate applies.
- Many roles have specific registration, qualification or experience requirements.
- There is no official guarantee called a PR course.
What is the New Zealand Green List?
The Green List is Immigration New Zealand’s framework for selected occupations New Zealand needs. It links qualifying employment to two skilled residence routes. Tier 1 is associated with the Straight to Residence Visa. Tier 2 is associated with the Work to Residence Visa after the required period of qualifying work.
The list changes over time and each role can have its own requirements. These may cover occupational registration, named qualifications, experience, remuneration, employer accreditation and the duties of the job.
Tier 1: Straight to Residence
A person may be able to apply through Straight to Residence when they have a qualifying Tier 1 job or job offer with an accredited employer and meet the role-specific and general visa requirements. Where a role does not state its own pay threshold, the current general rate is NZD 35.00 an hour.
The word ‘straight’ does not remove the need to prove the job, pay, qualifications, registration, health, character and other requirements. It describes the residence route available to qualifying Tier 1 employment.
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LM provides general education and pathway support. Personalised immigration advice is handled by an appropriately licensed or exempt professional. Outcomes depend on individual evidence and the rules applying at the relevant time.Tier 2: Work to Residence
Tier 2 normally requires a person to work in qualifying New Zealand employment for 24 months before applying for the Work to Residence Visa. The applicant must meet the role and pay requirements that apply to the qualifying work, as well as the visa criteria at the time of application.
Because the qualifying period matters, students should understand that time spent studying is not the same as Tier 2 work experience. Graduation, a work visa, suitable employment and the required work period are separate stages.
How should the Green List influence a study decision?
Use the Green List as one source in a wider career investigation. A student interested in health, engineering, teaching, information technology, construction or primary industries can compare programme learning outcomes with the requirements of relevant occupations.
Then test the practical questions: Is registration required? Does the programme meet the registration body’s academic standard? Are entry-level jobs realistically available? What experience do employers expect? Would the qualification still be valuable if immigration settings changed?
Why ‘study your way to residency’ is misleading
A qualification does not approve a residence visa. It may help a graduate build the knowledge required for an occupation, but the immigration pathway normally depends on later employment and other criteria. Policy can also change during a multi-year study plan.
A stronger plan connects education quality, career fit, professional recognition, employability and immigration information while keeping them as separate decisions. LM can help with education and career planning. Personalised immigration advice must come from an appropriately licensed or exempt professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official list of Green List courses?
Immigration New Zealand publishes Green List roles and their requirements, not a universal list of courses that guarantee residence.
Does a Green List qualification guarantee a job?
No. Employers make recruitment decisions and may require registration, experience and local capability beyond the academic qualification.
What is the 2026 Green List wage threshold?
From 9 March 2026, Green List jobs without a specific pay threshold generally use NZD 35.00 an hour. Some roles have their own stated rate.
Official references
LM Writer reviewed these sources on 25 September 2026. Immigration and education settings can change, so check the live source before acting.