Do I need New Zealand qualifications for Green List roles?

If you’re planning to apply for a Green List role in New Zealand, one of the most common questions we hear at BRIGENAI is:

“Do I need a New Zealand qualification, or will my overseas degree be enough?”

The honest answer is: it depends on your occupation.

Let’s break this down clearly so you know exactly where you stand.

First, What Is the Green List?

New Zealand’s Green List is officially called the Green List, published by Immigration New Zealand.

It identifies occupations facing long-term skill shortages and provides:

• Straight to Residence pathways
• Work to Residence pathways
• Accredited Employer Work Visa eligibility

If your job is on the list, you may have a faster route to residency — but you must meet the qualification and registration requirements listed for that specific role.

You can check the official Green List requirements here:
👉 https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/policy-and-law/immigration-instructions/green-list

Do You Need a New Zealand Qualification?

1️⃣ For Regulated Professions — Usually Yes (or NZ Recognition)

If your role requires professional registration in New Zealand, you will need:

• Either a recognised New Zealand qualification
• Or overseas qualifications assessed and accepted by the relevant NZ authority

Common examples include:

• Nurses (via Nursing Council of New Zealand)
• Teachers (via Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand)
• Engineers (often via Engineering New Zealand)
• Electricians, plumbers, doctors, etc.

In these cases, it’s not just about holding a degree — it’s about meeting NZ registration standards.

So no, you don’t always need to re-study in New Zealand — but you must get recognition or registration.

2️⃣ For Non-Regulated Roles — Often Overseas Qualifications Are Fine

For many IT, construction, and business roles on the Green List, you do not necessarily need a New Zealand qualification.

However, you may need:

• A comparable overseas degree
• A certain number of years of work experience
• An NZQA qualification assessment

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority provides qualification assessments to determine if your overseas qualification matches a New Zealand level.

If your qualification isn’t clearly equivalent, Immigration New Zealand may request an NZQA assessment.

You can check NZQA assessment details here:
👉 https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/international-qualifications/

When Might You Need to Study in New Zealand?

You may consider studying in NZ if:

• Your qualification doesn’t meet NZ standards
• You can’t obtain professional registration
• Your occupation requires a specific NZ-issued license
• You want to improve employability with local experience

Sometimes, completing a short bridging programme is enough — not a full degree.

Practical Advice (From Experience)

Here’s what we typically recommend at BRIGENAI:

1. Check your exact occupation on the Green List.
2. Look carefully at the qualification and registration column.
3. Confirm whether registration is required.
4. Contact the professional body directly if unsure.
5. Only consider re-studying if recognition isn’t possible.

Many people assume they must redo their entire degree — often that’s not true.

The Key Takeaway

You do not automatically need a New Zealand qualification for Green List roles.

But you must meet the specific qualification or registration requirements listed for your occupation.

The difference between “qualification” and “registration” is critical — and it’s where many applicants get confused.

If you’re unsure whether your current qualification meets Green List requirements, you can explore our relocation and visa guidance resources at:
👉 https://www.brigenai.com/

We help overseas professionals understand their eligibility clearly before they make expensive decisions.