New Zealand is committed to welcoming more Foreign skilled professionals looking to work in the country in 2024. The Government announced a wide range of changes to New Zealand’s workforce and immigration pathways for 2024. The change to immigration is geared basically towards an increase in the number of employees under the green list work visa category, recognized seasonal employer scheme, and construction and infrastructure sector agreement. Whether you’re a skilled worker seeking new opportunities or an employer navigating the evolving landscape, stay informed and leverage these changes to your advantage.
The New Zealand Green List (Occupation List)
This is a category of jobs for highly skilled workers, the cap for new employees has been increased to 19500 with 17 new roles included under either the ‘Straight to Residence’ or ‘Work to Residence’ pathway in March 2024. The green list outlined new zealand labour market skill gaps for skilled migrants to come and gain permanent residence.
- Tier 1 occupations – granted immediate New Zealand residency via the ‘Straight to Residence’ pathway*
- Tier 2 occupations – granted New Zealand residency after working for two years via the ‘Work to Residence’ pathway
Green List Tier 1 occupations
Within the Tier 1 occupation list, individuals have the opportunity to apply for a visa using the ‘Straight to Residence’ pathway. If you are currently employed or have a job offer from an accredited employer, and your role falls under Tier 1 on the Green List of in-demand occupations, you are eligible to pursue the ‘Straight to Residence’ pathway. This pathway eliminates the requirement for a prior duration of work in New Zealand before applying for Permanent Residency (PR). Through the ‘Straight to Residence’ pathway, you can submit a visa application that also allows you to include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger.
While no work experience is required apply for New Zealand PR under this pathway, there are still some specific criteria that is essential to qualify for residence. These criteria include health, character, and English language proficiency. Additionally, there are occupation-specific requirements which includes, meeting a minimum qualification or a specific salary threshold. These details, unique to each occupation, are crucial for determining eligibility for residence.
Available Jobs Under the Tier 1 List Includes:
Engineering
- Chemical Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Electronics Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Production or Plant Engineer
- Engineering Professionals nec
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Telecommunications Engineer
- Telecommunications Network Engineer
Construction
- Construction Project Manager
- Quantity Surveyor
- Surveyor
- Project Builder (inc Building PM and Site Foreman)
Health and Social Services
- General Practitioner
- Resident Medical Officer
- Anaesthetist
- Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
- Cardiologist
- Clinical Haematologist
- Medical Oncologist
- Endocrinologist
- Gastroenterologist
- Intensive Care Specialist
- Neurologist
- Paediatrician
- Renal Medicine Specialist
- Rheumatologist
- Thoracic Medicine Specialist
- Specialist Physicians nec
- Psychiatrist
- Surgeon (General)
- Cardiothoracic Surgeon
- Neurosurgeon
- Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Otorhinolaryngologist
- Paediatric Surgeon
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
- Urologist
- Vascular Surgeon
- Dermatologist
- Emergency Medicine Specialist
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
- Ophthalmologist
- Pathologist
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
- Radiation Oncologist
- Medical Practitioners nec
- Midwife
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
- Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
- Registered Nurse (Surgical)
- Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
- Registered Nurses nec
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Educational Psychologist
- Organisational Psychologist
- Psychologists nec
- Psychotherapist
- Physicist (Medical)
- Orthoptist
- Veterinarian
- Anaesthetic Technician
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medical Diagnostic (Medical Imaging Technologist)
- Medical Radiation Therapist
- Sonographer
- Occupational Therapist
- Podiatrist
- Audiologist
- Addiction practitioner/alcohol & drug clinician
- Audiometrist
- Chiropractor
- Clinical dental technician
- Clinical physiologists (sleep, renal, exercise, respiratory, neurology, and cardiac)
- Counsellor
- Dental specialists
- Dental technician
- Dental therapist
- Dentist
- Dietician
- Dispensing optician
- Drug and alcohol counsellor
- Enrolled nurse
- Genetic counsellor
- Medical laboratory pre-analytical technician
- Medical resonance imaging technologist
- Nuclear medicine technologist
- Nurse practitioner
- Optometrist
- Oral health therapist
- Orthotic and prosthetic technician
- Orthotist/prosthetist
- Osteopath
- Paramedic/emergency medical technician
- Perfusionist (cardiac)
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist
- Play therapist (hospital)
- Social worker
- Speech language therapist
- Sterile processing technician
ICT, Electronics, Communications
- Chief Information Officer
- ICT Project Manager
- ICT Managers nec
- Analyst Programmer
- Developer Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Software Tester
- ICT Security Specialist
- Software and Applications Programmers nec
- Multimedia Specialist
Others
- Other Spatial Scientist
- Food Technologist
- Internal Auditor
- External Auditor
- Environmental Research Scientist
Tier 2 Green List occupations: Work to residence
This visa is one of the three skills-based pathways that allow you to get New Zealand residence if you meet the eligibility criteria. If you secure a role from an Accredited Employer in one of the Tier 2 occupations of the Green List, you may be eligible to apply for residence after 2 years working in this role, in New Zealand. Certain occupations require that you meet a certain threshold in terms of qualification, or work experience, or salary.
Available Jobs Under the Tier 2 List Includes:
Construction
- Civil Construction Supervisors
- Gasfitters
- Drainlayers
- Crane, Hoist or Lifter Operator
- Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
- Backhoe Operator
- Bulldozer Operator
- Excavator Operator
- Grader Operator
- Loader Operator
- Motor mechanic – General
- Motorcycle mechanic
Trades
- Automotive Electrician
- Electrician (General)
- Plumber (General)
- Diesel Motor Mechanic (inc Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
Others
- Halal slaughterers
- Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
- Primary School Teacher
- Teacher of the Sight Impaired
- Special Education Teachers nec
- School Principal
- Secondary School Teachers – all specialisations
- Middle School Teacher / Intermediate School Teacher
- Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Teacher
- Pouako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Senior Teacher
- Special Needs Teacher
- Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages – if working in a primary, intermediate or secondary school
- Dairy Cattle Farmer (Dairy Cattle Farm Manager) including Dairy Farm Manager, Assistant Dairy Farm Manager and Dairy Herd Manager
How to Get a job in New Zealand Under any of these Occupation Lists.
Getting a job in New Zealand under any of the occupation lists, such as the skilled migrant, essential skills, or other specific lists, involves several steps. Here is a general guide:
- Understand Visa Categories: Identify the appropriate pathway category based on your occupation and ensure it is included in the aboved mentioned list.
- Check Eligibility: Review the eligibility criteria for the chosen occupation and pathway. Ensure that your qualifications, work experience, age and other factors align with the requirements.
- Job Search: Actively search for job opportunities in your field from an accredited employer in New Zealand and submit an application.
While there are many popular job platforms in New Zealand, it’s understandable that navigating the job market and identifying accredited employers in New Zealand can be challenging. Havens Travel and tour has an offer that makes this process stress free and smooth.
Through our Job and Work Permit program, we can provide valuable assistance in streamlining the process and making it more manageable for foreign individuals seeking employment in New Zealand.
By leveraging our partnership with experirnced recruiting firm in New zealand, we connect individuals with accredited employers, and potentially facilitate smoother transitions into the New Zealand workforce. To learn more about our offer you can Contact Haven Travel and Tour today on +234 903 071 9143 or +234 901 136 4479 or email us at Inquiries@haventravelandtour.com to start you success story.
