Green List Tier 1 — Straight to Residence (SMC bypass)

Build a Green List Tier 1 Straight to Residence strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] in [OCCUPATION] (ANZSCO [ANZSCO_CODE]) joining [EMPLOYER_NAME]. Experience: [EXPERIENCE_YEARS] years. Qualification: [QUALIFICATION].

§1 — GREEN LIST OVERVIEW (90-110 words)
Green List introduced 4 July 2022 with AEWV reform; two tiers:
  • Tier 1 — Straight to Residence: ~90 occupations granting immediate eligibility for PR after job offer + AEWV grant; no work-period requirement before residence application
  • Tier 2 — Work to Residence: ~30 occupations granting PR eligibility after 2 years AEWV employment

Tier 1 includes:
  • Software engineers (261313, 261311, 261312)
  • Registered nurses (254499, 254423, 254424)
  • Doctors (multiple specialisations)
  • Civil + structural + electrical engineers
  • Construction project managers
  • Veterinarians
  • Senior teachers (selected)
  • Telecommunications engineers
  • Sonographers + radiographers
  • Anaesthetic technicians
[VERIFY current Green List at INZ Green List page]

§2 — ELIGIBILITY FOR STRAIGHT TO RESIDENCE (110-140 words)
For Tier 1 PR pathway:
  • [ANZSCO_CODE] on Tier 1 Green List
  • Job offer from INZ-accredited [EMPLOYER_NAME]
  • Salary meets occupation-specific threshold:
    - Most occupations: minimum the median wage at time of application
    - Some occupations (e.g. tech): occupation-specific premium
  • Qualifications meet occupation registration requirements:
    - Software engineer: bachelor's in IT / CS / engineering (3+ year program)
    - Registered nurse: NZ Nursing Council registration + bachelor's nursing
    - Doctor: NZ Medical Council registration + medical degree + specialist registration
    - Engineer: chartered engineer status OR equivalent
  • Experience: occupation-specific minimums (typically 2+ years)
  • English: IELTS 6.5+ (or PTE / TOEFL equivalent) OR Australia / UK / Canada / Ireland degree exemption
  • Health + character

§3 — APPLICATION SEQUENCE (90-110 words)
Two-step:

Step A: AEWV grant
  • [EMPLOYER_NAME] accreditation
  • Job Check (streamlined for Green List — no labour market test typically)
  • [CLIENT_NAME] applies AEWV
  • Visa duration: up to 5 years
  • Processing: 4-8 weeks

Step B: Straight to Residence visa application
  • File immediately after AEWV grant OR concurrently with AEWV
  • Apply via INZ ONLINE
  • Documents: AEWV grant + job offer + qualifications + IELTS + medical + police certificate + NZ registration body verification (nursing, medical, engineering — as applicable)
  • Fee: NZD 4,290-4,890 [VERIFY current]
  • Processing: 6-12 months
  • Bridging visa OR continued AEWV during processing

§4 — REGISTRATION + QUALIFICATION VERIFICATION (90-110 words)
NZ registration body verification is the single hardest step for Indian-cohort:
  • Nurses: NZNC competence assessment programme (CAP) — typically 6-12 months
  • Doctors: NZMC registration via PESCI assessment + occupational scope; longer
  • Engineers: IPENZ / Engineering NZ assessment; mid-difficulty for engineering bachelor's
  • Teachers: Education Council assessment + provisional registration
  • IT / software: NZQA NZQF Level 7+ degree assessment; faster

For [CLIENT_NAME] with [QUALIFICATION]:
  • Verify NZQA recognition of qualification provider
  • Initiate registration process in parallel with job search
  • Some occupations grant conditional AEWV pending registration

§5 — FAMILY UNDER GREEN LIST PR (60-80 words)
Family included in residence application:
  • Partner: Partner of Worker visa during AEWV; Partner of Resident on PR grant
  • Children (under 24, single, dependent): Dependent Child visa, can study free at primary + secondary schools
  • Once PR granted: family has same residence rights, can work / study freely
  • Citizenship eligibility 5 years post-residence + 240 days/year presence

§6 — INDIAN-COHORT FAST-TRACK (40-60 words)
For Indian software engineers + nurses + civil engineers, Green List Tier 1 is the fastest residence path. Realistic timeline:
  • Month 0: secure job offer + employer accreditation in motion
  • Month 1-3: AEWV grant
  • Month 3-6: SMC / Green List residence application lodged
  • Month 12-18: residence visa grant

End with: "DRAFT GREEN LIST TIER 1 STRATEGY — for review by IAA-licensed adviser. Registration body recognition (nurses NZNC, doctors NZMC, engineers Engineering NZ) is the binding gate; initiate this process in parallel with job search to compress timeline."