New Zealand Green List Occupations Removed
New Zealand Green List occupations numbering 17 will be removed from the Green List Work to Residence Visa pathway from March 8, 2027, Immigration New Zealand has announced.
The occupations will leave Tier 2 of the Green List because they are already covered under new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways introduced in August 2026. The decision aims to simplify the country’s residency system by removing overlapping immigration pathways.
The change does not close the door to residency for workers in these trades. It moves them to different routes, and the details matter for anyone already working toward residence or planning to apply.
New Zealand Green List occupations: the full list
Thirteen occupations will be covered under the SMC Trades and Technician pathway. They are Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor), Automotive Electrician, Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector), Motor Mechanic (General), Motorcycle Mechanic, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, Metal Fabricator, Welder, Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder, and Metal Machinist (First Class).
Four more occupations will be covered under the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway. They are Crane, Hoist or Lift Operators, Telecommunications Technicians, Paving Plant Operators, and Pressure Welders.
Workers in these occupations may still qualify for residency under the new pathways if they meet the relevant qualification, work experience, and wage requirements. Immigration New Zealand said the new pathways may offer lower wage thresholds and shorter work experience requirements for some applicants. Eligibility will depend on individual circumstances.
Employers will also be able to continue hiring foreign workers through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Existing Green List benefits, including applicable labour market test exemptions and priority application processing, will no longer apply to the removed occupations.
What the change means for Pakistani trades workers
The list reads like a roll call of trades where Pakistani workers have strong experience. Welders, motor mechanics, diesel mechanics, fitters, panel beaters, and vehicle painters all appear on it. For workers from Pakistan who hoped to use the Green List route, the shift to SMC pathways changes the paperwork, not necessarily the outcome.
The key point is timing. Workers who started gaining qualifying work experience before March 8, 2027, can continue counting that experience toward the existing 24-month Work to Residence Visa requirement, provided they meet all other conditions. That transitional rule protects people already on the path.
New applicants face a different calculation. They must check whether they meet the SMC Trades and Technician or Skilled Work Experience requirements, including qualifications, experience, and wages. For some, the new pathways may prove easier, thanks to lower wage thresholds or shorter experience requirements. For others, the loss of priority processing and labour market test exemptions will add time and cost.
Anyone planning a move should check their own position against the new rules before March 2027, rather than assuming the old Green List route still applies. Employers hiring from abroad should do the same, since the AEWV remains open but without the old Green List advantages.
Other changes in the same announcement
The changes will also allow four categories of special education teachers to apply directly for residency without completing two years of qualifying employment. Career Counsellors will be removed from the Straight to Residence pathway. Green List eligibility for Sterilisation Technicians will be restricted to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association.
These smaller changes show the same pattern. New Zealand is tidying its residency system, closing overlaps, and pushing applicants toward the SMC pathways it introduced in August 2026.
For readers following New Zealand news, the country also features in sporting coverage, including India Beat New Zealand in Rain-Hit First ODI. The immigration change, however, affects far more people than any single match, since it touches workers, employers, and families planning moves.
What happens next
The removal takes effect on March 8, 2027. Workers already gaining qualifying experience before that date should confirm that their experience counts under the transitional rules. New applicants should compare the SMC pathways against their qualifications and wages.
Immigration advisers and employers will likely publish detailed guidance in the coming weeks. Until then, the safest step for any affected worker is to check the official Immigration New Zealand guidance for their exact occupation and pathway.
Frequently asked questions
When will the 17 occupations leave the Green List?
The occupations will be removed from the Green List Work to Residence Visa pathway from March 8, 2027.
Why are the occupations being removed?
Immigration New Zealand says the occupations are already covered under new Skilled Migrant Category pathways introduced in August 2026, so the change removes overlapping routes.
Can workers in these occupations still get residency?
Yes. Workers may still qualify under the SMC Trades and Technician pathway or the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway, if they meet qualification, experience, and wage requirements.
What happens to workers already on the Green List path?
Workers who started gaining qualifying work experience before March 8, 2027, can continue counting it toward the existing 24-month Work to Residence requirement, provided they meet all other conditions.
Can employers still hire foreign workers in these trades?
Yes. Employers can continue hiring through the Accredited Employer Work Visa, but Green List benefits such as labour market test exemptions and priority processing will no longer apply.
