I can’t begin to explain how much of my day is taken up by this question alone! I can completely understand why though. Firstly, INZ have once again done a poor job of communicating their policies to the wider public. Secondly, because so few people understand the policy and process around it, they create a bit of hysteria on social media pages and groups.
Before I delve into this, it’s important to understand that the Green List is not a new concept, it’s mostly an old policy with a shiny new wrapper. Prior to the Covid pandemic, INZ already had a ‘Green List’, however, back then it was referred to as the Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL). If your occupation was on the LTSSL you could apply for a Work to Residence visa. The visa was valid for 2.5 years, and after two years you were eligible to apply for residency under the Residence From Work category. If your occupation was not on the LTSSL it didn’t mean that you weren’t eligible for residency, you just had to follow a different pathway, the Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa!
Is this starting to sound a little familiar yet?
I CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH, Green List occupations are not the only pathway to residence in New Zealand. Like the LTSSL, the Green List is merely a skills shortage list, which is why it regularly changes in line with current shortages. To encourage people in those occupations to move to NZ the government have dangled the carrot of a ‘guaranteed’ residence pathway. It is a great marketing tool if you think about it. Having said that, I caution potential immigrants not to stake everything on the Green List, as mentioned, it’s just a snapshot in time of current sector shortages. Your role might not be on there in a month, or year’s time. Make sure you have a plan B.
So what is plan B? Plan B is the same as it’s always been for the last 10 years, the Skilled Migrant Residence Category, or as most refer to it, the Points System. Yes, the SMC is currently undergoing an overhaul and there will be significant changes, but it’s still a valid pathway if your occupation is not on the Green List.
If I look at our last 10 visa approvals, the breakdown is as follows:
1. Plumber – Green List pathway
2. Plumber – Green List pathway
3. Buyer for a retail chain – SMC pathway
4. Operations manager for a security company – SMC pathway
5. Fitter and Turner – SMC pathway
6. Diesel Mechanic – SMC pathway (due to his qualification)
7. Mechanician – SMC pathway
8. Mechanician – SMC pathway
9. Operation manager for a kitchen company – SMC pathway
10. Bicycle Mechanic – SMC pathway (exception list)
So out of my last 10 visa applications, 2 of them have been on the green list, yet all 10 are eligible to apply for residency in New Zealand! What was important with all of these clients is that we had planned their pathway to NZ very carefully to ensure that they can all apply for residency.
So yes, the Green List may be a slightly easier pathway to residency but it’s not the ONLY pathway. There will always be a pathway to residence in NZ for SKILLED individuals with the requisite experience and skill set. The most important thing at play here is identifying your pathway to residence and making sure you are able to meet the requirements. Last, but certainly not least, make sure you do this BEFORE moving to New Zealand!
If you’d like assistance with your residence pathway from an immigration professional don’t hesitate to get in touch with us asap.
About the Author
