AEWV vs Work to Residence vs Green List: What’s the Difference?

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All three are connected but answer different questions: AEWV is the visa you apply for, Work to Residence is a pathway to residence, and the Green List is what decides whether — and how fast — that pathway applies to you. AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) is the actual visa most sponsored migrant workers apply for — it needs an accredited employer, a job check, and your own visa application The Green List is Immigration NZ’s list of occupations facing genuine, ongoing shortages — being on it does not replace the AEWV, it changes what can happen after you hold one Green List Tier 1 roles can apply straight to residence, often without needing to complete a stand-down period on a temporary visa first Green List Tier 2 roles (and separately, Care Workforce roles) go via Work to Residence — hold the qualifying visa, work continuously in the role for the required period, then apply for residence If your occupation is not on the Green List at all, the AEWV is usually still your route to work in New Zealand — it just does not come with a guaranteed residence pathway attached to the occupation itself

AEWV vs Work to Residence vs Green List: What’s the Difference?

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