New Zealand is actively seeking skilled professionals to address critical labour shortages in the healthcare sector. To make it easy for qualified healthcare workers to make the move to New Zealand, the government has introduced the Green List – a streamlined pathway to residency. The Green List includes numerous in-demand healthcare roles, including midwives, nurses, general practitioners, physiotherapists and many more.
If you’re a healthcare professional considering a move to New Zealand, we can help you to understand how the Green List could be your fast-track to residency in one of the world’s most beautiful and welcoming countries.
1. What is the New Zealand Green List?
The Green List is a targeted immigration initiative designed to attract skilled workers to New Zealand. It offers fast-track residency pathways for certain occupations, under two tiers.
- Tier 1: Roles with immediate residency eligibility.
- Tier 2: Roles with a work-to-residence pathway, allowing candidates to apply for residency after two years of working in New Zealand.
All healthcare occupations for the Green List are currently in Tier 1 of the Green List, highlighting the critical need for skilled workers in this sector.
2. Key Healthcare Roles on the Green List
New Zealand’s healthcare system is facing shortages across several areas, making healthcare professionals among the most sought-after workers in the country. Here are some of the key roles featured on Tier 1 of the Green List:
- Registered Nurses: Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in New Zealand. Registered Nurses in all specialties, including aged care, emergency, mental health, and general practice, are eligible for immediate residency under Tier 1 of the Green List. Apply now!
- Midwives: Midwifery is another critical area where New Zealand faces shortages. Midwives play a vital role in maternal and neonatal care, and those with the required qualifications and experience can apply for residency immediately. Apply now!
- General Practitioners (GPs) and Medical Officers: These roles are also on the Tier 1 list, providing an expedited path to residency for qualified professionals. Apply now!
- Specialist Physicians: Specialists in fields such as cardiology, oncology, and neurology are highly sought after in New Zealand. These roles all fall under Tier 1, emphasising the country’s need for advanced medical expertise. Apply now!
- Physiotherapists: Particularly in rehabilitation and sports medicine, Physiotherapists are in demand across New Zealand. These roles are also on Tier 1. Apply now!
- Occupational Therapists: If you have the qualifications, registration and experience required to support patients in adapting to their environments and improving their daily living skills, you may to eligible for New Zealand residence immediately. Apply now!
- Clinical Psychologists: Mental health professionals, including clinical psychologists, are crucial to addressing the increasing demand on mental health services in New Zealand. Clinical Physiologists are on Tier 1 of the Green List. Apply now!
3. Benefits of the Green List for Healthcare Professionals
Being on the Green List offers several significant advantages for healthcare professionals:
- Faster Residency Process: For Tier 1 roles, the process for obtaining residency is accelerated, allowing you to settle in New Zealand quickly and with greater security.
- Work-life Balance: New Zealand is renowned for its exceptional work-life balance. Healthcare professionals often face demanding workloads so working in a healthcare system that emphasises well-being, both for patients and practitioners can be life changing.
- Competitive Salaries and Benefits: Healthcare roles in New Zealand come with competitive salaries and benefits, including opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Supportive Community: As a healthcare worker in New Zealand, you’ll join a supportive community that values your contribution. New Zealand workplaces often offer employee initiatives, which help support their employee’s wellbeing such as social events and employee assistance programmes.
4. How to Apply for a Role on the Green List
If you’re interested in a healthcare role on the Green List, here’s how to get started:
- Assess Eligibility: Ensure that your qualifications, experience, and professional registrations align with the requirements for the role you’re interested in.
- Secure a Job Offer: For most roles on the Green List, you’ll need a job offer from a New Zealand employer. Working In NZ Health has a nationwide network of employers, including District Health Boards, private surgical hospitals, community practices and clinics. We can help you secure your ideal job in your preferred location.
- Apply for a Visa: Once you have a job offer, you can apply for the appropriate visa. For Tier 1 roles, this could be a direct residency application; for Tier 2, you’ll start with a work visa with the option to apply for residency after two years. As part of our fully supported service, we have a team of Licensed Immigration Advisers to assist you with your visa application.
- Prepare for the Move: Once your visa is approved, you can begin planning your move to New Zealand. Our dedicated relocation experts are here to support you in this often-daunting process. They can help with booking flights, moving your personal items (including your pets), getting your banking set up and more.
Conclusion
The Green List presents a unique opportunity for eligible healthcare workers to gain immediate residency in New Zealand. New Zealand is committed to welcoming skilled professionals looking for work-life balance in our beautiful, progressive country. Whether you’re a nurse, midwife, GP, or allied health professional, New Zealand is eager to welcome you and support your journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare.
There’s never been a better time to make the move to New Zealand and we can help you navigate the process, whatever stage of the journey you may be at.
