Green List, Straight to Residence (Tier 1)

New Zealand · for applicants from Nigeria

Verified · 22 June 2026

For people with a job/offer in a Tier 1 Green List occupation (high-demand roles such as doctors, many engineers, specialist nurses). You can apply for residence immediately, no need to work in NZ first. Occupation-specific; does not use SMC points.

Rules last verified: 22 June 2026 · by Elizabeth O

At a glance

Embassy processing

Varies; prioritised

Our turnaround

5–7 working days

Done-for-you Standard

Government fees

~£6,450

≈ ₦11,797,050

Why applications get refused

Role not Tier 1

Occupation is Tier 2 or not on the list.

Fix: Confirm the exact role is Tier 1 Straight to Residence.

Registration missing

Role requires registration not held.

Fix: Obtain NZ registration (e.g. Medical Council) before applying.

Over age 55

Applicant above the age limit.

Fix: Apply before turning 56; consider other routes if over.

Document checklist

Required

Valid passport

When: "all"

Job offer / employment agreement (accredited employer)

When: "all"

Occupational registration / licence

When: "roles that require it"

Qualification certificates (NZQA assessed if needed)

When: "role dependent"

Medical certificate & police certificates

When: "all"

Application timeline

1. Prepare your application

Gather documents, draft supporting letters, complete forms

1–3 weeks

2. Rekoja review (if Done-for-you)

Specialist checks your file before you submit

5–7 working days

3. Submit online or at visa centre

Biometrics appointment may be required

1 day

4. Embassy decision

Standard processing. Priority options may be available.

Varies; prioritised

All-in government fees

These are the fees you pay to the government, not Rekoja's service fee. Shown at the indicative exchange rate.

Mandatory

Green List Straight to Residence

£6,450

11,797,050

Total government fees

6,450

≈ ₦11,797,050

Indicative. 1 GBP = 1829 NGN · 2026-08-03. Government fees change. Confirm on the official website before paying.

What a free chatbot cannot do

A free AI can tell you the rules. Rekoja does the harder part: we verify them against the official government source, prepare the actual application file, catch what gets people refused, and a specialist checks everything before you submit. We stand behind our work.

  • Rules verified against the official source, with the date
  • Document checklist built for your specific profile
  • The inconsistency check that catches what gets people refused
  • A human reviews your complete file before submission

Know your real chances for this route

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The assessment pre-selects New Zealand and the work route for you. You can adjust before you run it.

Common questions about the Green List, Straight to Residence (Tier 1)

Sourced answers to the most-searched questions about this corridor are being verified and will appear here. Start the free assessment or ask the desk directly.

Real outcomes

100% approved

Based on 12 reported outcomes across all Rekoja cases. This is a look back at past cases, not a prediction. The embassy decides; past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Prepare for the interview

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Preparation improves your readiness, not the decision. Practice, never a guarantee.

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Not a visa decision or legal advice. Rules shown are as of the last verification date above. Immigration rules change. Confirm before filing. The embassy decides, not Rekoja.