Green List Courses in New Zealand: Your Guide to Study Pathways That Lead to Residency (2026)

If you're planning to study in New Zealand and eventually settle there, one term you'll keep running into is the Green List. It's the single biggest factor connecting the course you choose today to how easily you can get permanent residency (PR) tomorrow. This guide explains what Green List courses actually are, which industries they cover, and how to plan your study path around them.

What Is the New Zealand Green List?

The Green List is Immigration New Zealand's official list of occupations facing serious skill shortages — roles the country urgently needs filled. If your job after graduation appears on this list, and you meet the specific qualification, registration, and salary requirements attached to it, you get access to a fast-tracked residence pathway instead of the slower, points-based routes most skilled migrants have to navigate.

Importantly, the Green List is a list of occupations, not courses. There's no single official "Green List course catalogue." Instead, the smart approach is to work backwards: pick the occupation you want, then choose a qualification that satisfies that role's specific entry requirements.

The Two Green List Pathways

Every Green List occupation sits in one of two tiers, and the tier determines your route to residency.

Tier 1 — Straight to Residence

If your occupation is Tier 1, you can apply for residence as soon as you have a qualifying job offer or role with an accredited employer no minimum work period required. Processing typically takes around 4 months, and visa costs start from roughly NZD $6,450.

Tier 2 — Work to Residence

Tier 2 occupations require you to work in New Zealand for 24 months in an eligible role, completed within the 30 months before you apply, before you can apply for residence.

Both pathways share common requirements: you generally need to be 55 or younger, work full-time for an accredited employer, meet the wage threshold set for your role (or the national median wage — NZD $35.00 per hour as of March 2026 — if no specific rate is listed), meet English language standards, and satisfy health and character checks.

Which Green List Courses Should International Students Consider?

Since the Green List works occupation-first, the "green list courses" you should be targeting are the qualifications that unlock these in-demand roles. Here are the strongest study-to-residency combinations by sector:

Healthcare (the largest Green List category)

Healthcare dominates the Green List by a wide margin dozens of clinical roles sit on Tier 1 alone. Relevant courses include:

• Bachelor of Nursing → Registered Nurse (Aged Care, Mental Health, Critical Care, Medical, Surgical, Perioperative, Paediatrics, and more)
• New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing → Enrolled Nurse
• Midwifery degrees → Midwife
• Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, and Medical Laboratory Science degrees → their respective specialist roles
• Postgraduate Nursing / Nurse Practitioner programmes → Nurse Practitioner

Engineering

Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, structural, and industrial engineering degrees all map directly to Tier 1 Green List roles, along with engineering technician diplomas for technician-level positions.

Information Technology

Software engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity qualifications lead to roles like Software Engineer, Database Administrator, Systems Administrator, and ICT Security Specialist all Tier 1.

Construction

Quantity Surveying and Construction Management courses align with Tier 1 roles such as Construction Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor. Site-based diplomas support Tier 2 roles like plant and machinery operators.

Teaching

Early Childhood Education, Primary, and Secondary teaching qualifications map to Tier 1 and Tier 2 teaching roles across New Zealand's school system, including Māori-medium teaching pathways.

Trades

Trade certificates in electrical work, plumbing, gasfitting, automotive mechanics, welding, and fabrication support Tier 2 Work to Residence pathways.

Agriculture

Dairy farm management and related agricultural qualifications lead to Tier 2 roles such as Dairy Cattle Farmer and Dairy Farm Manager.

Why Green List Courses Matter for International Students

Choosing a course connected to the Green List gives you several practical advantages over a standard study plan:

• A clearer residency roadmap. Instead of guessing which post-study job might eventually support a visa, you're studying toward a role Immigration New Zealand has already flagged as high-priority.
• Faster, prioritised visa processing once you have a qualifying job offer.
• Post-study work rights that let you gain the local experience many Green List roles require.
• Strong job security, since these are roles employers are actively struggling to fill.

That said, completing a Green List-aligned course does not automatically guarantee residency. Each occupation has its own conditions around registration, minimum work experience, wage thresholds, and employer accreditation, so due diligence on your specific target role matters just as much as the course itself.

Requirements to Watch Before You Choose a Course

Before committing to a "green list course," check the following against your target occupation:

• Qualification match — Some roles accept overseas qualifications; others require a New Zealand-recognised qualification specifically.
• Professional registration — Nursing, teaching, engineering, and most health professions require registration with the relevant New Zealand professional body before your work counts toward residence.
• Salary threshold — Your future job must meet either the role-specific pay rate or the current median wage of NZD $35.00/hour.
• Employer accreditation — Your employer must be an Immigration New Zealand-accredited employer for your work to count toward a Green List pathway.
• International Qualification Assessment (IQA) — If your prior qualification was earned outside New Zealand, you may need this assessed before applying, particularly under Tier 2.

How a Green List Course Fits Into Your Study-to-Residency Plan

A typical pathway looks like this:

Choose a course tied to a Green List occupation that matches your background and interests.

Complete your qualification at a recognised New Zealand institution.

Apply for a post-study work visa after graduation.

Secure a job that matches your target Green List role, with an accredited employer.

Confirm your salary, qualification, and registration meet that occupation's requirements.

Apply under the Straight to Residence (Tier 1) or Work to Residence (Tier 2) pathway, as applicable.

Why Choose Derrick Jones for Your Green List Study Plan?

Working out which course actually leads to a Green List occupation isn't always straightforward — qualification requirements, registration bodies, and tier classifications differ by role, and a course that sounds relevant on paper doesn't always satisfy the exact criteria Immigration New Zealand has set. This is where Derrick Jones adds real value.

Our counselors work backwards from your target occupation the same way this guide recommends — confirming whether a course genuinely satisfies your chosen role's qualification and registration requirements, which New Zealand institutions and programmes are the strongest fit for your background, and what the realistic timeline looks like from enrolment through post-study work rights to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 residence application. Rather than piecing together occupation codes and wage thresholds on your own, you get one point of contact who maps out a genuinely residency-aligned study plan and stays with you at every stage, from course selection through to your eventual residence application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an official list of Green List courses in New Zealand?

No. Immigration New Zealand publishes a list of occupations, not courses. You choose a course based on which qualification your target Green List occupation requires.

Which industries have the most Green List courses/occupations?

Healthcare has by far the largest number of Tier 1 roles, followed by engineering, ICT, construction, and teaching.

Do Green List courses guarantee permanent residency?

No. They put you on a stronger pathway, but you still need to meet the specific registration, salary, employer accreditation, and work experience conditions attached to your chosen occupation.

What is the current wage requirement for Green List roles?

As of March 2026, the default threshold is the national median wage of NZD $35.00 per hour, unless your specific occupation has its own fixed pay rate.

How long do I need to work in New Zealand under Tier 2 before applying for residence? 24 months of eligible work, completed within the 30 months immediately before you apply.

Can nursing students use the Green List pathway?

Yes nursing is one of the strongest Green List categories. Registered Nurses across nearly every specialisation, along with Enrolled Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, sit on Tier 1.

Choosing the right course is only step one. Before you enrol, map your intended occupation against the current Green List, confirm its tier, registration requirements, and wage threshold — this upfront check can save you years of uncertainty on your residency journey.

Disclaimer: Green List occupations, tiers, wage thresholds, and visa requirements are subject to change and can vary by role and applicant profile. Always verify current details directly on Immigration New Zealand's official Green List pages before making study or visa-related decisions.