New Zealand’s Government is making significant changes to its Green List immigration settings, with 17 occupations set to be removed from the Work to Residence Visa pathway from March 8, 2027.
According to a report by NZ Immigration, the changes follow the introduction of new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways in August 2026, which provide alternative routes to residence for workers in several occupations.
The move is aimed at simplifying the country’s residence system by removing overlapping immigration pathways and ensuring the Green List remains aligned with New Zealand’s workforce and immigration needs.
The 17 occupations being removed from the Tier 2 Green List will instead be covered by two new SMC pathways: the Trades and Technician pathway and the Skilled Work Experience pathway.
Thirteen occupations will be eligible under the SMC Trades and Technician pathway. These include Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor), Automotive Electrician, Diesel Motor Mechanic, Motor Mechanic (General), Motorcycle Mechanic, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, Metal Fabricator, Welder, Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder and Metal Machinist (First Class), as reported by NZ Immigration.
The remaining four occupations, Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator, Telecommunications Technician, Paving Plant Operator and Pressure Welder, will be covered under the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway.
Workers seeking residence through these routes will need to meet the relevant qualification, work experience, wage and other eligibility requirements, as reported by NZ Immigration.
The new pathways may offer more accessible residence options for some experienced workers through lower wage thresholds, shorter New Zealand work experience requirements or no specified qualification requirement, depending on the pathway. However, eligibility conditions differ and the changes may not benefit everyone, NZ Immigration has reported.
Employers will still be able to recruit migrants for these occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), provided they meet the applicable requirements.
However, the Green List benefits currently available for these roles, including certain labour market test exemptions and priority processing for job check and AEWV applications, will no longer apply, as reported by NZ Immigration.
Transitional arrangements for existing applicants
The Government will introduce transitional arrangements for eligible workers who are already progressing towards residence under the Work to Residence Visa pathway.
Those who begin accumulating qualifying work experience before the changes take effect will be able to continue counting that time towards the existing 24-month work requirement. They will, however, need to satisfy all other residence criteria, NZ Immigration has reported.
Special education teachers to get direct residence pathway
In another change, four special education teaching occupations will move from the Work to Residence Visa category to the Straight to Residence Visa pathway.
The occupations include Special Needs Teacher, Teacher of the Hearing Impaired, Teacher of the Sight Impaired and Special Education Teachers not elsewhere classified.
Eligible teachers in these roles will be able to apply directly for residence without first completing two years of qualifying work in New Zealand, as reported by NZ Immigration.
The change recognises that special education teachers are registered teachers delivering the same curriculum as other teachers and brings their residence pathway in line with comparable teaching roles.
New eligibility rules for Sterilisation Technicians
Green List eligibility for Sterilisation Technicians will also be tightened. From the changes' implementation, eligibility will be restricted to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association.
The adjustment is intended to bring immigration eligibility requirements in line with the profession’s standards and workforce requirements.
Career Counsellor removed from Straight to Residence pathway
Meanwhile, Career Counsellor will be removed from the Tier 1 Green List occupations eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa.
The occupation was included when allied healthcare roles were added to the Green List, but the Government says it does not align with the original focus of those additions, as reported by NZ Immigration.
Career Counsellors may still qualify for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or another immigration pathway, provided they meet the relevant criteria.
According to NZ Immigration, the Government is expected to review the Green List in 2027 to ensure it continues to support New Zealand’s changing workforce requirements.