Green List Straight to Residence Visa
Quick Route to Your New Life in New Zealand
Do you want to move to New Zealand for good? If your job fits one of the in-demand roles on the Green List, you might get to apply for residency right away—with no waiting times or long job history needed. This is what the Green List Straight to Residence Visa offers.
Made for key workers in top fields, this visa gives qualified experts a clear path to become a New Zealand resident as soon as they arrive—or even before they set foot in the country.
At Ezy Immigration, we help skilled migrants, healthcare professionals, engineers, and IT specialists to take advantage of this simplified process. If your job is on the list and you have a New Zealand job offer, you might start your new life earlier than expected.
Visas for New Zeland
We can assist you with all popular temporary or residence visa applications for Australia. We will not take on an application if we believe it will be unsuccessful, saving you time and money. We provide timely updates and keep you informed throughout the whole process.
We provide professional visa consultation services for the following visa categories :
LIAA Member
Licensed Immigration Adviser (NZ) # 201300919
Registered MARA Agent (AU) # 2117455
What Is the Green List and the Straight to Residence Visa?
The Green List contains jobs that New Zealand needs for the long term. If your job is on this list, and your New Zealand employer has approval, you could get residence right away through the Straight to Residence Visa—you won’t need to wait two years on a temporary work visa.
This policy plays a part in the government’s push to draw in top global talent in fields such as healthcare, construction, education, engineering, and IT.
Unlike traditional residency paths, which might involve several stages and lengthy processing periods, the Straight to Residence Visa gives you a chance to secure your spot in New Zealand’s future right away.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for a Straight to Residence Visa, you need to:
- Have a job or job offer from an employer with accreditation in a Green List Tier 1 occupation
- Meet the qualification and experience standards set for your specific role
- Be 55 or younger and meet the English language health, and character standards
Check if your job appears on the Green List
Eligible applicants can apply from overseas or within New Zealand, and can include their partner and dependent children in the same application. If you’re already in New Zealand on an Accredited Employer Work Visa, you might qualify to move directly into residency under this category.
How We Help at Ezy Immigration
Applying for residence—through a fast-track category—can thrill you, but also stress you out.
Each job on the Green List has its own requirements, and one small mistake can slow down or hurt your application.
Our licensed immigration advisers offer:
- Checks on eligibility and documents
- Verification of employer accreditation
- Help with each step of the application
- Aid for dependents and families
We also help people already in New Zealand move from work to residence, and can find quicker visa options if your job doesn’t fit the Green List criteria.
What our clients are saying
Director & Licensed Immigration Adviser
Adviser (NZ) # 201300919
Agent (AU) # 2117455
Want to Live in New Zealand for Good?
If you’re a capable worker with a job offer in New Zealand, the Green List: Straight to Residence Visa could be your path to a quicker, more stable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a list of occupations that New Zealand needs and are in great demand. People in these positions can access easier routes to residency.
Processing times change but take very less time than regular SMC visas. You might get your visa in a few months after you send in your papers as long as you include everything needed.
No. If your job is on the Tier 1 Green List and you meet all the rules, you can ask for residence right away—even before you get to New Zealand.
Yes. People who aren’t in New Zealand yet but have job offers from approved employers can apply before they come to the country.
No. It also covers engineers, IT specialists, construction professionals, and teachers—based on the tier and qualifications.
Tier 2 roles require you to work in New Zealand for 2 years before you apply for residence through the Work to Residence path.
Yes, you can include your partner and dependent children in your Straight to Residence application.
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