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New Zealand · The fine print
New Zealand publishes a literal list of shortage occupations with residence pathways attached. The reels stop there. The list has two tiers, and the difference is about two years of your life.
Green List, Tier 2 - work to residence
Electricians, plumbers and several other trades sit on the WORK-TO-RESIDENCE tier: a job with an accredited employer first, roughly 24 months working in the role, then the residence application - not "straight to residence", whatever the reel said. Check your exact occupation and tier on immigration.govt.nz before believing anyone.
Registration is part of the visa
For registered trades the visa conditions lean on NZ registration - the Electrical Workers Registration Board for sparkies, the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board for the wet trades. UK qualifications are assessed, not waved through - start the registration question before you resign anything.
The employer route - AEWV
The standard work visa is the Accredited Employer Work Visa: the employer must hold accreditation and the job must meet the going conditions. The accreditation register is public - checking it costs nothing.
Tier placements and requirements are set by Immigration New Zealand and do change - the official Green List on immigration.govt.nz is the only version that counts. Checked against current sources 5 Aug 2026.
Information, not legal or immigration advice — verify every detail against the official sources above before committing money or notice.