New Zealand Green List Expands: What You Need to Know
What’s new with the New Zealand immigration rules?
There are 17 positions are added to the Green List.
For the 2023–2024 seasons, the number of slots available for recognized seasonal employers will rise to 19,500.
From September 23, 2023, the recovery visa will be closed to new applicants.
Existing recovery visa holders in New Zealand may request a three-month extension.
The construction and infrastructure sector agreement will get a few new jobs.
What is Green List?
The Green List is a list of professions with access to a work-to-residence pathway or that are eligible for a fast track to residency. The list includes a variety of occupations, such as those held by veterinarians, engineers, and ICT specialists.
The Green List now includes 17 roles:
After a planned and focused examination by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE), seventeen roles will be added to the Green List. Beginning in March 2024, the roles will be added to the Green list includes –
Aviation Engineer (Avionics, Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineer) Naval Architects (aka Marine Designer) Mechanical Engineering Technician ICT Database and System Administrator Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Road Roller Operator Paving Plant Operator Corrections Officer Metal Fabricator Pressure Welder Welder Fitter (General) Fitter and Turner Fitter-Welder Metal Machinist (First Class) Panel Beater Vehicle Painter
Applications for the work-to-residence program are now open.
Applications for currently listed jobs on the Sector Agreement Work to Residence and Green List are now being accepted as of September 29, 2023. If a migrant meets the other standards for age, health, character, and English language proficiency, they will be eligible to petition for residency after two years of qualifying work experience in a Green List Work to residency or qualified Sector Agreement employment.
Increase in the maximum number of employees under the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme:
For the 2023–2024 seasons, the maximum number of employees under the RSE Scheme is being increased by 500 to 19,500. With the help of the new RSE cap, the horticulture and wine industries will have access to workers from participating Pacific nations where there aren’t any local employees. The increase this year takes into account the industry’s desire for access to more workers while balancing the implications on the New Zealand labor market, including anticipated labor market circumstances in the upcoming year and the availability of suitable housing.
Recover Visa validity date
The Recovery Visa will no longer accept new applications beginning on September 23, 2023, according to the government. Starting on September 23, people with current visas who are already in New Zealand will be able to seek for a three-month extension of their recovery visas, giving them time, if necessary, to switch to longer-term work visas.
Accreditation for the AEWV
As current visa holders’ visas become close to expiring, Immigration New Zealand will get in touch with them to let them know their alternatives. The current online form for the Specific Purpose work visa will be used to submit applications for the extension from qualified visa holders.
