New Zealand announces Green List residence changes for March 2027
The planned removal of 17 roles, transitional work experience and changes for teachers and other occupations.
Immigration New Zealand announced on 3 November 2026 that 17 occupations will leave the Tier 2 Green List for the Work to Residence pathway from 8 March 2027. The agency says the roles overlap with newer Skilled Migrant Category pathways. Removal from this particular list does not automatically mean a worker must leave or can no longer apply for any residence visa; the alternatives have their own requirements.
Which roles and alternatives are affected?
The announcement lists 13 occupations under the Skilled Migrant Category trades and technician pathway, including automotive electricians, mechanics, metal fabricators and welders. Four others, including crane, hoist or lift operators and telecommunications technicians, are listed under the skilled work experience pathway. Each pathway has its own wage, experience, qualification and other conditions. Employers can still recruit through the Accredited Employer Work Visa where its conditions are met, but the Green List's related labour-market-test exemptions and priority processing will no longer apply to the removed roles.
Transition and other Green List changes
The agency says eligible people who began accumulating qualifying work experience before the change can continue counting it towards the existing 24-month Work to Residence requirement, while still meeting other residence conditions. Four special education teaching occupations are to move to Straight to Residence, allowing eligible applicants to apply without first completing two years of qualifying New Zealand work. Green List eligibility for sterilisation technicians will be limited to graduate and registered members of the named professional association; career counsellor will leave the Straight to Residence list.
How should workers and employers prepare?
Check the exact occupation, visa, job and individual pathway rather than assume that a trade name guarantees eligibility. Preserve evidence of qualifying work already started, pay, qualifications and registration where relevant. The agency says it will update the relevant pages closer to commencement; applicants should check the final instructions and transitional wording before filing. The announcement is a future change, not a guarantee of residence or of an employer's accreditation.
Legal check date
Sources checked on 3 November 2026; subsequent changes are not reflected automatically.
Official sources
NoticeThis publication is for general information and is not individual legal advice.