Green List changes coming from March 2027

13 occupations will instead be covered by the new 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 occupations will have a potential residence pathway through the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway:
• Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator
• Telecommunications Technician
• Paving Plant Operator
• Pressure Welder

This does not necessarily mean there is no longer a pathway to residence. For many affected workers, the pathway is changing. The new SMC pathways have different qualification, work experience and wage requirements, so it is important to check which pathway applies to you.

Already working towards Work to Residence?
If you start qualifying work in one of the affected occupations before 8 March 2027, you can continue counting qualifying work completed after your occupation is removed from the Green List towards the 24-month Work to Residence requirement. You will still need to meet all other Work to Residence requirements.

If you are currently working in one of these occupations, or are about to start, when you begin qualifying employment could therefore be important.
Other Green List changes
There are several other changes from 8 March 2027:
• Four special education teaching occupations will move from Work to Residence to Straight to Residence: Special Needs Teacher, Teacher of the Hearing Impaired, Teacher of the Sight Impaired, and Special Education Teachers not elsewhere classified.
• Eligibility for Sterilisation Technicians will be limited to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association.
• Career Counsellor will be removed from the Tier 1 Straight to Residence pathway, although other residence pathways may still be available.

What about employers?
Employers can still recruit migrant workers in the impacted occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). However, once an occupation is removed from the Green List, the Green List benefits that apply to that role, including applicable advertising exemptions and priority processing for Job Checks and visa applications, will no longer apply.

What should you do?
If you are currently working in, or planning to start work in, one of the affected occupations, 8 March 2027 is an important date.
The right residence pathway will depend on your occupation and individual circumstances, including when you start qualifying employment and whether you meet the requirements of the relevant residence category.

If you are affected by these changes and are unsure what they mean for your residence plans, contact the Pathways team to discuss your circumstances and options.

Immigration settings and eligibility requirements can change, and individual circumstances should be assessed against the requirements applying at the relevant time.