New Zealand expands Green List and these professionals are eligible for fast track residency

The New Zealand government has announced the expansion of the Green List, an initiative that permits professionals in various positions to get residency in the country.

The Green List is a list of occupations that qualify for a fast track to residency or have access to a work-to-residence pathway.

According to the most recent announcement on Saturday, New Zealand is adding 17 occupations to the Green List, and beginning next year, employers in sectors such as information technology, automotive, and engineering will have the option of using Green List visas when a New Zealand worker cannot be found to fill a specialist role.

Other occupations added to the list, according to Immigration Minister Andrew Little, include database and systems administrators, panel beaters, road-roller operators, and vehicle painters.

“Our immigration system is complex, and it must constantly evolve to support economic recovery, assist businesses in filling gaps, and build strong communities,” he said.

Prison guards, welders, and aviation engineers have also been added to the list, allowing them to get residency more quickly.

Since COVID-19 caused talent shortages in a variety of businesses, the list has grown. The government believes that by giving residence, New Zealand will become more appealing to overseas employees.

According to data, immigration to New Zealand is at an all-time high, with a net 135,000 foreigners coming into the country in the year through July.

In addition to expanding the Green List, the government added seven occupations, including machine operators and traffic controllers, to a separate list that allows employers in the construction and infrastructure sectors to hire migrants at a lower wage threshold than the standard work visa allows.

Furthermore, the immigration minister focused on other modifications to the immigration policy that will allow a total of 19,500 migrants to come to New Zealand for short-term work and to fill labor shortages.