Green List Gold: Your Ultimate Guide to Degrees That Guarantee Direct NZ Residency
The Green List is New Zealand’s official list of occupations facing long-term skill shortages. For international students, aligning your qualification with a Green List occupation can be a strategic way to work towards residence in New Zealand, provided you also meet job, registration, and wage requirements.
One of the most attractive pathways under the Green List is the Straight to Residence (STR) visa.
Why “Straight to Residence” Matters
The Straight to Residence (STR) pathway is Tier 1 of the Green List. It is designed to attract highly skilled workers into roles New Zealand urgently needs.
Key benefits include:
- Direct pathway to residence:
If you have a job offer in a Tier 1 Green List occupation from an Accredited Employer and meet all role-specific requirements (qualification, registration, and pay), you may apply for residence immediately, without needing to work for several years first. - Family inclusion:
Eligible partners and dependent children can be included in your Straight to Residence application. - High-skill, high-value roles:
STR occupations are typically in sectors with strong demand and higher salary thresholds, reflecting their importance to the New Zealand economy.
Important: A qualification alone does not grant Straight to Residence. You must also secure the right job in a specific Green List Tier 1 occupation and meet all Immigration New Zealand requirements.
Degrees That Can Support Straight to Residence Eligibility
The following study areas are commonly linked to Green List Tier 1 occupations, but eligibility depends on the specific role, not just the degree.
- Health Degrees (Nursing & Midwifery)
- Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Pathway:
Once you obtain New Zealand registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand or the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and secure a job offer in a relevant Green List Tier 1 role from an Accredited Employer, you may be eligible to apply for Straight to Residence (subject to meeting all criteria). - Strategic advantage:
Health professionals are in sustained demand across all regions of New Zealand.
- Engineering Degrees
- Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Other relevant qualifications at NZQF Level 7 or higher, depending on the occupation (e.g. Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering)
- Pathway:
Some engineering occupations are listed as Tier 1 Green List roles. If your qualification meets the specified requirements and you secure a job offer from an Accredited Employer in the relevant occupation, you may be eligible for Straight to Residence.
Note: Not all engineering roles or qualifications qualify. Some roles may also require recognition by Engineering New Zealand.
- Construction-Related Degrees
- Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Construction
- Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7 or higher
- Other relevant higher qualifications
- Pathway:
Certain construction occupations (such as Construction Project Manager or Quantity Surveyor) appear on the Green List. Eligibility depends on securing a job offer in a specific Green List Tier 1 occupation, not the degree title alone.
Critical Steps for Success
- Prioritise Professional Registration
For regulated professions such as nursing and midwifery, you must be fully registered in New Zealand before you can qualify for Straight to Residence. Plan early for exams, assessments, and documentation. - Target Accredited Employers Only
Your job offer must come from an Accredited Employer to be valid under the Green List pathway. Focus your job search on accredited organisations. - Match the Exact Occupation Title
Immigration New Zealand assesses eligibility based on specific occupation titles listed on the Green List. Your job title, duties, and contract must closely align with the listed role. - Check Wage and Role Requirements
Many Green List roles include minimum pay thresholds and qualification standards. Always verify the official Green List requirements before applying.
Final Takeaway
Studying a Green List-aligned degree can significantly strengthen your pathway toward New Zealand residence — but Straight to Residence is job-based, not degree-based. Success comes from aligning your qualification, professional registration, job offer, and employer accreditation with the exact Green List requirements.
