New Zealand to remove 17 occupations from Green List Work to Residence pathway from March 2027

New Zealand has announced the removal of 17 occupations from its Green List Work to Residence visa pathway from March 8, 2027, following the introduction of new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways.

The changes are aimed at reducing overlap between different residence routes and aligning immigration settings with the country's workforce requirements. The government will also introduce changes for special education teachers, Sterilisation Technicians and Career Counsellors.

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Workers in the 17 occupations being removed from the Green List may still qualify for residence through the new SMC pathways, provided they meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

The occupations being removed from the Tier II Green List Work to Residence pathway will be covered by two new SMC routes: the Trades and Technician pathway and the Skilled Work Experience pathway.

The following 13 occupations will be eligible under the SMC Trades and Technician pathway:

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).

Four other occupations will be covered by the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway:

Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator

Telecommunications Technician

Paving Plant Operator

Pressure Welder.

The new SMC pathways have different qualification, work experience and wage requirements from the existing Work to Residence visa.

Depending on the pathway, experienced workers may benefit from lower wage thresholds, shorter New Zealand work experience requirements or no specified qualification requirement. However, eligibility will depend on the individual requirements of each route.

Transitional arrangements for existing workers

Workers who have already started accumulating qualifying work experience towards the existing 24-month Work to Residence requirement before March 8, 2027, will be allowed to continue counting that experience.

They will still need to meet all other residence requirements to qualify under the existing pathway.

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Employers can also continue recruiting migrants in these occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), subject to the relevant conditions.

However, once the changes take effect, these occupations will no longer receive the Green List benefits currently available to them, including applicable labour market test exemptions and priority processing for job check and AEWV applications.

Special education teachers to get direct residence route

Four special education teaching occupations will move from the Work to Residence pathway to the Straight to Residence pathway. These include Special Needs Teacher, Teacher of the Hearing Impaired, Teacher of the Sight Impaired and Special Education Teachers not elsewhere classified.

Eligible professionals will be able to apply directly for residence without first completing two years of qualifying work in New Zealand.

Changes for two other occupations

Green List eligibility for Sterilisation Technicians will be restricted to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association.

Meanwhile, Career Counsellor will be removed from the Tier 1 Green List for the Straight to Residence visa. The occupation was included when allied healthcare roles were added to the list but does not align with the original focus of those additions.

Career Counsellors may still qualify for residence through the SMC or another immigration pathway if they meet the relevant requirements.