Straight to Residence NZ — Eligibility Check

Tier 1 of the Green List lets qualifying migrants apply for residence immediately — no NZ work experience required.

About Straight to Residence (Green List Tier 1)

Straight to Residence is the fastest route to a New Zealand resident visa. If your occupation sits on Green List Tier 1 and you have a job (or job offer) with an Accredited Employer at or above the occupation-specific wage threshold, you can apply for residence immediately — no prior NZ work experience required. The hardest gates in practice are the occupation-specific qualification or registration requirement, and confirming the employer's accreditation status before you lodge.

Tier 1 requirements are set per occupation. For Registered Nurses, for example, you need Nursing Council registration; for many engineering roles, an NZQA-assessed qualification at the listed level. Use this checker to confirm the basic gates, then verify your occupation's specific row on the official Green List before applying.

If you're close but not quite there — registration in progress, qualification not yet assessed, or wage just under threshold — Work to Residence (Tier 2) or one of the Skilled Work Experience / Trades & Technician pathways may give you the runway you need. Book a consultation with our Licensed Immigration Advisers to map the cleanest route for your situation.