Green List Expansion Signals Demand for Skilled Trades – Is This Your Pathway to Residence?

New Zealand’s immigration settings continue to evolve in response to real-world labour market pressures — and the latest update is a welcome one for the skilled trades sector.

From 18 August 2025, ten new occupations will be added to the Green List Work to Residence pathway, allowing eligible migrants to apply for residence after just two years of relevant work experience in New Zealand. This marks a significant opportunity for tradespeople who have already made, or are considering making, Aotearoa home.

The new trades added to the Green List are:

• Metal Fabricator

• Pressure Welder

• Welder

• Fitter (General)

• Fitter and Turner

• Fitter-Welder

• Metal Machinist (First Class)

• Panel Beater

• Vehicle Painter

• Paving Plant Operator

What does this mean?

Put simply: New Zealand needs you. These additions reflect sustained and widespread demand for skilled tradespeople across the country — something we at McSweeney Immigration Law in NZ can personally attest to. We work with a wide range of employers in the automotive, construction, manufacturing, and heavy industry sectors, many of whom are struggling to fill key roles despite extensive recruitment efforts.

For migrants already in New Zealand or those considering the move, the expanded Green List offers a more secure pathway to long-term settlement. These roles now benefit from a clear and streamlined route to residence, offering both job stability and future certainty for workers and their families.

Why the Green List matters.

The Green List is designed to target occupations where New Zealand has a genuine, ongoing skills shortage. Inclusion on the list not only signals government recognition of that need but also provides a faster, more certain immigration process. Work to Residence means eligible migrants no longer need to wait indefinitely for a residence pathway — they can plan their future with confidence.

How we can help.

At MILNZ, we have a strong track record of helping both skilled migrants and employers navigate the immigration system. Whether you're an employer struggling to fill roles or a worker looking to secure your future in New Zealand, our experienced team is ready to guide you through every step of the process — from visa strategy to Green List eligibility and residence applications.

This is a pivotal time for skilled trades in New Zealand. If you’re working in one of these industries or hiring for them, now is the time to act.

📞 Contact McSweeney Immigration Law today to find out if you or your employees qualify for this new Green List pathway.