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As you may be aware, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has recently announced the Green List. This list enumerates the occupations that would be prioritized by Immigration New Zealand for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and New Zealand residency programmes in future. The Green List also provides significant information on the types of qualifications New Zealand wants its future migrant workforce to pursue.

In this line, I have compiled a resource below so that international student visa aspirants can find the most relevant courses in one place. In this line, the following vitally meaningful areas of study that can pave a suitable pathway to NZ residency under the present settings are detailed below.

Construction sector

This sector has been allocated a vital place on the Green List. The roles mentioned in the Green List clearly accentuate the long-term demand for them. These include Construction Project Manager (133111), Project Builder (including Building Project Manager and Site Foreman) (133112), Quantity Surveyor (233213), and Surveyor (232212). Therefore, you can go for the following qualifications in order to pursue a meaningful career in the construction industry. These roles also open your pathway to fast-tracked residency.

• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (NZQF Level 8)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (NZQF Level 7)
• Bachelor of Construction (NZQF Level 7)
• A bachelor’s degree at NZQF Level 7, or a higher qualification with the minimum equivalent of 360 credits, which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in the focus areas of construction management, civil engineering, or highway engineering
• A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7, or a higher qualification which includes the knowledge requirements of a New Zealand Graduate Diploma in the focus areas of construction management, highway engineering, civil engineering or construction project management
• A diploma at NZQF Level 6*, or a higher qualification, with the minimum equivalent of 240 credits, which includes the knowledge requirements of a New Zealand Diploma in the focus areas of civil engineering, highway engineering, construction or construction management
• A bachelor’s degree at NZQF Level 7, or a higher qualification with the minimum equivalent of 360 credits, which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in quantity surveying or construction economics
• A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7, or a higher qualification, which includes the knowledge requirements of a New Zealand Graduate Diploma in the focus areas of construction, construction management or construction project management
• A diploma at NZQF Level 6, or a higher qualification, with the minimum equivalent of 240 credits, which includes the knowledge requirements of a New Zealand Diploma (Level 6) in the focus areas of quantity surveying, construction economics, construction management or building
• A bachelor’s degree at NZQF Level 7, or a higher qualification with the minimum equivalent of 360 credits, which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in quantity surveying or construction economics
• Bachelor of Surveying (NZQF Level 7)
• Bachelor of Surveying with Honours (NZQF Level 8)

*For international students who want to study for a shorter course, there is also an option of a diploma at NZQF Level 6. We have a special package for this course. The course is a Diploma in Construction with strands in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying. For more information, please contact us at the details mentioned below.

Engineering roles

Engineering professionals are in short supply in New Zealand and the government is encouraging them to migrate to New Zealand. Fresh graduates who have qualified from NZ institutions are in high demand because they gain intrinsic knowledge of NZ systems and processes.

The roles listed on the Green List:

Chemical Engineer (233111), Materials Engineer (233112), Civil Engineer (233211), Geotechnical Engineer (233212), Structural Engineer (233214), Electrical Engineer (233311), Electronics Engineer (233411), Environmental Engineer (233915), Industrial Engineer (233511), Mechanical Engineer (233512), Production or Plant Engineer (233513), Engineering Professionals nec (233999), Civil Engineering Technician (312212), Electrical Engineering Technician (312312), Electronic Engineering Technician (312412), Telecommunications Engineer (263311), Telecommunications Network Engineer (263312)

Relevant qualifications

The following qualifications can be pursued by international students having aptitude and interest in the engineering career. After finding a suitable job, these qualifications can make you eligible for the fast-tracked New Zealand residency.

• A Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (NZQF Level 8)
• A qualification at NZQF Level 7 or higher (a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the degree and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand will be required after successful completion of the course)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering) (NZQF Level 7)
• A diploma at NZQF Level 6, or a higher qualification, with the minimum equivalent of 240 credits, which includes the knowledge requirements of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil) (Level 6)
• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (NZQF Level 8)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical Engineering) (NZQF Level 7)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (NZQF Level 7)
• A bachelor’s degree at NZQF Level 7, or a higher qualification with the minimum equivalent of 360 credits, which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in electronics
• A diploma at NZQF Level 6, or a higher qualification, with the minimum equivalent of 240 credits, which includes the credit and knowledge requirements of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) Electronic Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electronic Engineering) or (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (NZQF Level 7)
• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electronic Engineering, or Electrical and Electronic Engineering (NZQF Level 8)
• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Network Engineering) (NZQF Level 8)
• Bachelor of Engineering (NZQF Level 7)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (NZQF Level 7)

Primary Industries and Science

In the Green List, two roles – Environmental Research Scientist (234313) and Food Technologist (234212), are chosen under this category. Therefore, pursuing your studies in these areas and attaining the qualifications mentioned for each role can bring about the desired career outcomes for international students including NZ residency.  

• A qualification at NZQF Level 8 or higher in the focus areas of environmental studies, environmental management, or environmental engineering. NZQF Level 8 qualifications must have either the minimum equivalent of 360 credits which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in the focus areas, or a minimum equivalent of 120 credits in the focus areas and a relevant underpinning bachelor’s degree at NZQF Level 7.
• Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours (Food Product Technology) or (Food Process Engineering) (NZQF Level 8)
• A qualification at NZQF Level 7 or higher in the focus areas of nutrition, food science, food technology or food engineering. NZQF Level 7 qualifications must have a minimum equivalent of 360 credits which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in the focus areas, and NZQF Level 8 qualifications must have either the minimum equivalent of 360 credits which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in the focus areas, or a minimum equivalent of 120 credits in the focus areas and a relevant underpinning bachelor’s degree at NZQF Level 7.

ICT, Electronics and Telecommunications

Although the Green List does not specify the qualifications required under this category, it would not be a bad idea to pursue a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in this field. There are several qualifications you can choose from depending on your personal aptitude and interest.

The benefits of doing a bachelor’s or a master’s program include a 3-year post-study work visa. In addition, if you get a job paying you the required salary, you straight away become eligible for the fast-tracked residency.

Teachers

Qualifications leading to Teacher’s registration* (Secondary School Teacher (241411) (conditions apply) and Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher – registered (241111)) can also yield favourable outcomes for your long-term goal of securing the NZ residency. After doing a job for two years, you can become eligible to apply for New Zealand Residency under the work-to-residence pathway.

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees

Despite most not appearing on the Green List, all bachelor’s and master’s degrees will make you eligible for a 3-year post-study work visa. With INZ coming up with a new residence policy under the Skilled Migrants Category, these NZ qualifications should stand you in excellent stead. Firstly, after successful completion of these degrees, a 3-year post-study work visa can be ensured and secondly, you may be able to claim points of your qualifications as and when you apply for your residency. In addition, a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree can empower you with an international qualification, equip you with modern concepts, and increase your value in the New Zealand job market. In other words, your employability in the New Zealand job market will be highly enhanced after attaining these qualifications.

To give you an idea regarding the English Language Requirements, the required IELTS scores for different levels of studies are mentioned in the table below.

Programme Levels	Certificate at Level 3	Certificate at Level 4	Certificate or Diploma at Level 5	Certificate or Diploma at Level 6 Diploma or degree at Level 7 Graduate Certificate or Diploma at Level 7	Post-graduate Diploma or Post-graduate Certificate at Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree at Level 8 Master’s Degree at Level 9 Doctoral Degree at Level 10
IELTS	General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5	General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5	Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5	Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5	Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6

*For Teaching (Early Childhood Education) qualifications, Academic IELTS 7.0 across all bands, or an NZQA / NZ Teaching Council approved equivalent is required.

How VisaAdvice New Zealand can help?

We are built on the principle of honesty. We are in the New Zealand immigration industry for more than 5 years. We offer end-to-end educational services to international students so that their transition into the New Zealand study environment is smooth and meaningful. We aim to make your immigration matters simple.

At VisaAdvice New Zealand, we provide you with the following services:

• Free profile appraisal of your proposed course in New Zealand
  • Assisting in selecting a suitable course in line with your aptitude, interests and academic background
  • Providing you with the study options so that you select the best one as per your future goals
  • Advising you about the updated immigration instructions vis-à-vis the funds’ requirements for studying in New Zealand
  • Providing a customized checklist and ensuring that the documentation is in order
  • Preparing you for the Immigration NZ interview
  • Lodging your student visa application
  • Post lodgement follow-up and update

For all your queries, please

• email us at vineet@visaadvice.info or
• call us on +64 22 300 6101, or
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