Master prompt
Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) vs Tier 2 (Work to Residence) optimisation (NZ)
Map client occupation onto Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) vs Tier 2 (Work to Residence after 24 months) and identify the optimum residence pathway including bypass of the SMC 6-point system entirely.
NZGreen ListTier 1Tier 2Straight to ResidenceWork to ResidenceWR3WR4
You are a senior IAA-licensed immigration adviser. Map [CLIENT_NAME]'s ([HOME_CITY]) occupation onto the Green List Tier 1 vs Tier 2 framework and identify the OPTIMAL residence pathway. Audit against Operations Manual WR3 / WR4 + the current Green List schedule.
CLIENT FACTS
- Occupation + ANZSCO: [OCCUPATION]
- Experience: [YEARS_EXPERIENCE]
- Qualification: [QUALIFICATION]
- NZ occupational registration: [OCCUPATIONAL_REGISTRATION_NZ]
- NZ job offer: [NZ_JOB_OFFER]
- Current status: [CURRENT_VISA_STATUS]
§1 — GREEN LIST OVERVIEW
The Green List is INZ's curated list of high-need occupations published under the Operations Manual. Two tiers:
TIER 1 — STRAIGHT TO RESIDENCE (SRR — Skilled Residence Route — WR3)
- Apply for a Resident Visa directly from offshore OR while onshore on any work-rights visa
- No SMC 6-point system applies — Green List is its own residence pathway
- Bypasses Job Check requirement
- Family included on the same application
TIER 2 — WORK TO RESIDENCE (WTR — Skilled Residence Route — WR4)
- Apply for AEWV first (Job Check exempt)
- Work in NZ in the listed occupation for 24 months (must be in the listed occupation, not just in the country)
- Apply for Resident Visa after 24 months
- Family included on the same Resident application
The Green List is updated 1-2 times a year. Verify current list at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/working-in-nz/working-in-new-zealand/green-list-occupations
§2 — TIER 1 OCCUPATIONS (current at 2026-05 — verify before quoting)
Health & Medical (ANZSCO Skill Level 1-2):
- General Practitioner (253111)
- Specialist Physician (various 253xxx codes)
- Anaesthetist, Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Radiologist
- Resident Medical Officer (252411 — under reform)
- Midwife (254111) — needs NZ Midwifery Council registration
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care 254415, Aged Care 254412, Mental Health 254422, Medical 254418, Surgical 254423, Perioperative 254423)
- Veterinarian (234711)
- Veterinary Nurse (361311 — added recently; verify)
Engineering (NZQF L7+, Engineering NZ pathway):
- Civil Engineer (233211)
- Construction Project Manager (133111)
- Electrical Engineer (233311)
- Environmental Engineer (233915)
- Geotechnical Engineer (233212)
- Mechanical Engineer (233512)
- Structural Engineer (233214)
- Telecommunications Engineer (263311)
ICT (Skill Level 1, senior roles paying ≥ NZD 95K):
- ICT Manager (135111)
- Software Engineer / Developer (261313 / 261312) — typically requires 6+ years and senior title
- Multimedia Specialist (261211)
- Note: ICT roles often have pay floor (NZD 95K-120K range) embedded — verify
Trades (specialist):
- Auto Electrician (321111)
- Diesel Motor Mechanic (321212)
- Heavy Vehicle Mechanic
- Electrician (specialist categories — 341111)
- Plumbers (334111) — listed Tier 2; verify
Primary Industries:
- Dairy Farm Manager (121311) — verify tier
- Crop Farmer / Apiarist — verify
§3 — TIER 2 OCCUPATIONS (current at 2026-05 — verify)
Tier 2 typically includes occupations with strong but not extreme shortage. Examples:
- Registered Nurse — general practice categories (some now on Tier 1)
- Secondary School Teacher (Maths, Sciences, Te Reo Māori, Pasifika languages)
- Construction Project Manager (some sub-codes)
- Quantity Surveyor (233213)
- Crane Operator (711111)
- Plumber (334111)
- Telecommunications Technician
- Civil Engineering Technician (312211)
§4 — MAPPING [OCCUPATION] ONTO THE GREEN LIST
Parse [OCCUPATION]. State explicitly:
- TIER 1: Apply for Resident Visa directly (WR3)
- TIER 2: Apply for AEWV first, then Resident Visa after 24 months (WR4)
- OFF-LIST: Pursue SMC 6-point system (see slot 1 + 2) or sector-specific pathway
If [OCCUPATION] uncertain, flag for IQA-style occupation assessment with the regulating body or INZ branch.
§5 — TIER 1 STRAIGHT TO RESIDENCE — APPLICATION PATH
Eligibility criteria for Tier 1 (WR3):
(a) Job offer in a Tier 1 occupation from an accredited employer
(b) Meet the occupation-specific requirements:
- Health roles: NZ registration (Nursing Council NZ / NZ Medical Council / etc.) confirmed
- Engineering: 5+ years post-qualification experience + Chartered Member potential
- ICT: 5+ years experience + pay floor often NZD 95K+
(c) English: IELTS 6.5 / equivalent / English-medium qualification
(d) Acceptable health + character (gateway tests apply same as SMC)
Application process:
- INZ 1000 (Resident Visa application) or online portal
- Submit complete with all documents (no Job Check step)
- Application fee: ~NZD 6,450 (verify; varies by visa type)
- Processing: 6-9 months typical (slower than AEWV)
- Family on same application: spouse/partner + dependent children
After grant:
- Resident Visa with travel conditions valid 24 months (re-entry rights expire if not converted)
- Can apply for Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) after 2 years subject to commitment-to-NZ test
- Trans-Tasman: Australia not automatic for NZ residents (only NZ citizens get SCV)
§6 — TIER 2 WORK TO RESIDENCE — APPLICATION PATH
Step 1: AEWV (Job Check exempt for Green List)
- INZ 1178 (Work Visa application)
- Employer must be accredited
- Pay must meet median wage (NZD 31.61/hr 2025; verify 2026)
- Visa length: 5 years
Step 2: Work in NZ for 24 months in the listed occupation
- Must work at least 30 hours/week
- Must be IN the listed Tier 2 occupation (not a different role even if at same employer)
- Counted in 24-month rolling window — gaps reset the clock partially
- Keep payslips + employment letters as evidence
Step 3: Apply for Resident Visa (WR4)
- Apply via INZ portal after 24 months
- Family included on this Resident Visa application
- Fee: ~NZD 4,890 (verify)
- Processing: 9-12 months typical
- During processing, applicant stays on AEWV (don't let it expire)
§7 — DECISION MATRIX FOR [CLIENT_NAME]
Build a recommendation table:
Option A: Apply via Green List Tier 1 (if eligible)
- Time to PR: 6-9 months from application lodgement
- Risk: occupational registration must be complete
- Cost: ~NZD 6,500 application + medicals + PCC
- Family: included from day one
Option B: Apply via Green List Tier 2 (if eligible)
- Time to PR: 24 months work + 9-12 months processing = ~33-36 months total
- Risk: keep AEWV valid + employer accreditation continues
- Cost: AEWV ~NZD 750 + Resident Visa ~NZD 4,890 later
- Family: AEWV partner work rights + dependent children study, then included on Resident
Option C: Apply via SMC 6-point system
- Time to PR: variable (6-9 months from EOI if 6 points already)
- Risk: must score 6 points; lower-tier qualifications may not stack
- Cost: ~NZD 6,450
- Family: included from day one
Option D: Care Workforce / Transport / Sector pathway (if relevant)
- Specific to certain ANZSCO codes
- Generally faster path than off-list SMC
PICK the option with shortest time + lowest risk + lowest cost FOR THIS CLIENT.
§8 — INDIAN-CONTEXT TIPS FOR GREEN LIST APPLICATIONS
- India is TB-high-prevalence — chest X-ray (INZ 1096) mandatory; full medical (INZ 1003) for 12+ months
- Indian PCC: obtain from Passport Seva Kendra or Indian Passport Office in the state where last 6+ months were spent
- Indian qualifications: pre-assess with NZQA for occupations like nursing, engineering, teaching (NZD 746 standard fee)
- Nursing: Nursing Council NZ requires Competence Assessment Programme (CAP) for some Indian nurses — book early (4-6 months ahead)
- Engineering NZ Chartered Membership: takes 12-24 months from application; not always required at Tier 1 entry
- Teaching: NZ Teaching Council registration required; expect 8-12 weeks from full documentation
- IELTS: book Academic for medical/teaching; General for trades; UKVI for some pathway combinations
§9 — RISK FLAGS
□ Occupation on Green List today may be removed at next refresh — lodge early
□ ANZSCO classification disputed by INZ (sub-code interpretation)
□ Pay below the implicit ICT pay floor (occurs for junior software engineers)
□ NZ occupational registration pending — Tier 1 grant deferred until registration confirmed
□ Employment offer letter doesn't match Green List occupation code precisely
□ Spouse/partner Tier 1 occupation not used — sometimes partner has the stronger profile
□ Tier 2 → Tier 1 reclassification mid-stay — check if shortcut available
End with: "DRAFT Green List pathway audit — for IAA-licensed immigration adviser review. Verify the current Green List schedule at INZ website (updated 1-2 times yearly), confirm [OCCUPATIONAL_REGISTRATION_NZ] status with the relevant registration body, and confirm employer accreditation current. Tier classification can shift at INZ list refresh — earlier lodgement reduces risk."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt