New Zealand Work to Residence Visa: Green List Tier 2 Explained for 2026

Many people searching for a "work to residence" visa in New Zealand are actually looking for two different things: either a structured pathway where working in a specific job leads to residence, or a general work visa that can eventually convert. New Zealand has both, and they work differently. This article focuses on the formal Green List work-to-residence pathway — who it applies to, how long it takes, and whether it's actually faster than the Skilled Migrant Category route.

What the Green List Work to Residence Pathway Is

New Zealand's Green List divides shortage occupations into two tiers based on the severity of the shortage and the government's willingness to grant immediate residence.

Tier 1 — Straight to Residence allows eligible professionals to apply for a Resident Visa immediately upon receiving a qualifying job offer, without any mandatory period of working in New Zealand first. Nurses, GPs, civil engineers, and software engineers (at qualifying salary) are examples.

Tier 2 — Work to Residence requires the applicant to first hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and work in New Zealand in the specified occupation for 24 months before applying for residence. After 24 months, assuming continued employment in the qualifying role, the applicant can apply for a Resident Visa.

The Tier 2 category was designed for roles that are genuinely in shortage but where the government wants to confirm the migrant's commitment and practical integration before granting permanent status.

Which Occupations Are Currently on Tier 2

The Green List is updated periodically by INZ. As of early 2026, Tier 2 occupations include:

Trades (all requiring full New Zealand registration or certification):

• Electricians (licensed under the Electrical Workers Registration Board)
• Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (licensed under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board)
• Automotive Electricians
• Diesel Mechanics
• Crane Operators and Excavator Operators

Manufacturing and Construction (added late 2025):

• Metal Fabricators and Fitters
• Welders (various ANZSCO codes)
• Panel Beaters
• Joiners
• Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers

Early Childhood Education:

• ECE Teachers (different from Primary/Secondary, which are Tier 1)

The registration requirement is a genuine barrier for most trades roles. An electrician from India or South Africa, for example, cannot simply arrive and start work — they need to successfully apply for New Zealand registration through the Electrical Workers Registration Board, which involves an assessment of overseas qualifications and may require gap training or examinations.

The practical implication: for tradespeople, the "24 months of NZ work" clock doesn't start until they hold NZ registration. Factor in the registration timeline before planning your arrival.

How the 24-Month Requirement Works in Practice

Once you hold a qualifying AEWV in a Tier 2 occupation, you need to accumulate 24 months of full-time employment in that specific role. The requirements:

• Same occupation: The work must be in the Tier 2 ANZSCO occupation listed on your AEWV. Switching to a different role resets the clock.
• Full-time: You must be working at least 30 hours per week throughout the qualifying period.
• Same employer or similar: You can change employers during the 24-month period, but the new role must still be in the same Tier 2 occupation with a new accredited employer.
• No extended absences: Lengthy time outside New Zealand during the 24-month period may affect your eligibility. INZ's general position is that short holidays don't interrupt the work period, but extended absences (multiple months) can create complications.

After 24 months, you submit a residence application. At that point, you also need to meet the standard health, character, and English language requirements that apply to all residence applicants.

Tier 2 vs. Skilled Migrant Category: Which Is Faster?

This is the question most people should be asking but rarely do.

For a tradesperson who qualifies for Tier 2, the minimum path to residency is 24 months of NZ work. For the same person applying through the Skilled Migrant Category, the path might be different:

• If they hold a Level 7 bachelor's degree (3 SMC points) and their role pays the median wage, they need 3 years of NZ work experience (3 points) to reach 6 points — slower than Tier 2.
• If they hold full NZ occupational registration (and that registration earns 3 points), they would also need 3 more years of NZ experience — again, slower than Tier 2.
• But if they earn 1.5x the median wage ($52.50/hr), they already have 3 income points, and with their 3-point registration, that only totals 6 points if they're in a Pillar 1 category — and crucially, the pillars cannot be combined. If 1.5x the median wage gives 3 points and their registration also gives 3 points, they cannot add them together under the SMC.

In most practical cases, Tier 2 is faster for tradespeople because:

1. Many tradespeople don't hold academic qualifications at the level required for fast SMC points
2. The 24-month Tier 2 path is fixed and predictable
3. The SMC requires accumulating NZ work experience and then filing an EOI, which then has its own processing timeline

However, Tier 2 is only faster if your occupation actually appears on the Tier 2 list. Tradespeople in occupations not listed — for example, certain heating and ventilation roles, painters, or floor layers — must use the standard SMC route.

The August 2026 Trades and Technician Pathway

From August 2026, a new SMC sub-pathway specifically for tradespeople opens. The Trades and Technician Pathway allows workers in designated trade occupations to apply for residence based on:

• A relevant Level 4+ qualification (120+ credits)
• 4 years of post-qualification experience total
• At least 18 months of NZ work at or above the median wage

This will benefit workers in trade roles that are on the August 2026 eligible occupations list but not currently on the Green List Tier 2. It will not replace Tier 2 for currently listed occupations — those workers can still use the 24-month Tier 2 path, which may be faster for them than waiting until August 2026 to start a new pathway.

What Happens If You're Currently on a Different Work Visa

If you're in New Zealand on a different visa type (student, visitor, or an older work visa category), you cannot directly transfer to a Tier 2 work-to-residence pathway. You need to:

1. Secure a job offer in a Tier 2 occupation from an accredited employer
2. Apply for an AEWV for that role
3. Start the 24-month clock once your AEWV is granted

The New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Guide covers the full comparison between the Green List pathways and the SMC, including worked examples for common trade and professional combinations, so you can identify which route is realistically fastest for your specific situation.

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