SR5.5 Summary of requirements

1. To be granted a Green List: Work to Residence visa, all applicants must:
   1. meet health and character requirements for residence (see A4 and A5); and
   2. meet the applicable minimum standard of English or, where instructions allow, pre-purchase English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tuition (see SR2.10).
2. In addition, the principal applicant must:
   1. hold a work visa or a critical purpose visitor visa with work conditions at the time the residence application is made; and
   2. meet acceptable employment requirements in a Tier 2 Green List occupation (see SR5.10); and
   3. have completed 24 months of work in New Zealand in a Tier 2 Green List occupation (see SR5.15); and
   4. be aged 55 or younger at the time the residence application is made.
3. Applications must be made using the approved online form provided on the Immigration New Zealand website.

SR5.5.1 Evidence

1. To demonstrate meeting specified evidential requirements for a Green List occupation (see Appendix 13) the applicant can provide the following:
   1. Qualification – the qualification and, if the Green List requirement is for a New Zealand qualification and the qualification is from outside New Zealand, an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

      Note: An IQA:
      - assesses an overseas qualification (or group of qualifications) by stating the learning outcomes of the closest New Zealand equivalent qualification; and
      - states the NZQF level and qualification type of that equivalent qualification; and
      - refers to any verification of the applicant's qualifications undertaken by the NZQA.

   2. Registration or Professional Membership - documentation confirming registration or professional membership.
   3. Acceptable employment in a specified occupation - employment agreement and job description specifying the occupation.
   4. Acceptable work in New Zealand - employment agreement and job description (previous and current) stating the duration of employment, position and remuneration and a summary of earnings from Inland Revenue confirming a period of at least 24 months’ work.
   5. Pay rate - employment agreement and job description stating the occupation, hours, and remuneration. A summary of earnings from Inland Revenue if the applicant has worked in New Zealand.

      Note: Where an immigration officer is not satisfied that sufficient information has been provided through the requirements under (a)(v), further evidence may be requested such as full bank statements showing salary payment, or payslips.

2. In cases where any of the details listed at SR5.5.1(a) have changed since an applicant’s most recent work visa application and these details are material to their application (for example their remuneration has changed and they are relying on work in New Zealand in a role paid at least twice median wage, an applicant must include the evidence of these changes as set out in SR5.5.1(a).
3. An Immigration Officer may consider evidence and information provided in previous work visa applications to determine whether the applicant:
   1. has a total of 24 months of acceptable work in New Zealand; or
   2. meets the requirements specified in the Green List.

Effective 28/02/2024