New Zealand border to fully reopen

Great news! New Zealand border to fully reopen from 1st August 2022 and new fast track to residence!

The New Zealand government announced today they are bring forward the full reopening of the border to 23:59 (NZST) on 31 July 2022. This means that

Visitor Visa and Student Visa applications can be made from 1st August 2022
All Work Visa categories, including the new Accredited Employer Work Visa, will open for applications on 4 July 2022

The announcement also included some further good news on residence pathways for eligible Work Visa holders:

The Green List – fast track to residence

A new green list of occupations will make it easier for employers to hire and attract migrants for specified high-skilled, hard-to-fill occupations, including in the construction, engineering, trades, health, and ICT sectors.

The Green List also provides a fast-track to residence and a work to residence pathway.

A new, fast tracked “Straight to residence” pathway will be available for people who come to New Zealand on a work visa from 4 July 2022 and apply for residence from September 2022. This residence application can also be applied for from offshore, from September. Eligible migrants include those who work or have a job offer in New Zealand in an occupation on the Green List.

In addition, if the role is on this list an employer can complete the job check (which will be required to employ an Accredited Employer Work Visa holder) without proof of advertising.

The following occupations will have a fast track to residence:

Construction roles

Construction Project Manager
Project Builder
Quantity Surveyor
Surveyor

Engineering roles

Chemical Engineer
Materials Engineer
Civil Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Structural Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Production or Plant Engineer
Engineering Professionals (not elsewhere classified)

Health and social services roles

General Practitioner
Anaesthetist
Psychiatrist
Specialist Physicians (not elsewhere classified)
General Surgeon
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Neurosurgeon
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Vascular Surgeon
Urologist
Otorhinolaryngologist
Dermatologist
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Ophthalmologist
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
Radiation Oncologist
Resident Medical Officer
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Clinical Psychologist
Educational Psychologist
Organisational Psychologist
Psychotherapist
Psychologists (not elsewhere classified)
Physicist (Medical)
Orthoptist
Veterinarian

Primary industry and science roles

Other Spatial Scientist
Environmental Research Scientist
Food Technologist

ICT, electronics and telecommunications roles

Chief Information Officer (earning at least $57.69 per hour)
ICT Project Manager (earning at least $57.69 per hour)
ICT Managers (not elsewhere classified, earning at least $57.69 per hour)
Software Engineer (earning at least $57.69 per hour)
ICT Security Specialist (earning at least $57.69 per hour)
Multimedia Specialists (earning at least $45.67 per hour)

Work to residence pathway for other roles after 2 years

There will be a residence pathway for the following roles after 2 years working in New Zealand.

Health and social services

Anaesthetic Technician
Medical Imaging Technologist
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Radiation Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Sonographer
Podiatrist
Audiologist
Registered Nurses (including Aged Care, Child and Family Health, Community Health, Critical Care and Emergency, Developmental Disability, Disability and Rehabilitation, Medical, Medical Practice, Mental Health, Perioperative, Surgical, Paediatrics and not elsewhere classified)
Midwife
Secondary School Teacher in certain specialisms – with registration
Early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher

Trades roles

Automotive Electrician
Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
Electrician (General) – with NZ registration
Plumber – with NZ registration

Agriculture roles