Green List Tier 1 — Straight to Residence (SMC bypass)
Green List Tier 1 pathway: 90+ occupations granting direct PR after job offer + AEWV. Bypasses Skilled Migrant Category.
New ZealandGreen ListTier 1Straight to ResidenceAEWV
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."Purchase the vault to unlock