New Zealand Lists 20 Jobs Under Red, Amber Categories: What Migrants Need to Know
New Zealand has placed 20 occupations on new Red and Amber Lists that affect how some skilled migrants can qualify for residence under the country’s Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).
The list contains six red-listed occupations and 14 amber-listed occupations, with the rules taking effect on August 24, 2026.
The classifications are part of changes to New Zealand’s skilled migration system and are designed to determine which occupations can use the new Skilled Work Experience pathway and what additional requirements some applicants must meet.
The changes do not mean people in these occupations cannot work in New Zealand or obtain residence through every available pathway.
Instead, the main effect is on eligibility for the Skilled Work Experience pathway of the SMC Resident Visa.
New Zealand red and amber lists: What do they mean?
Under the new rules, occupations on the Red List cannot use the Skilled Work Experience pathway.
Workers in red-listed occupations may still qualify for residence through an existing SMC pathway if they meet the requirements, including qualifying through the points-based system.
Occupations on the Amber List, meanwhile, remain eligible for the Skilled Work Experience pathway but face additional requirements.
Immigration New Zealand says the lists were introduced as part of efforts to manage immigration risk and ensure the new residence pathways remain focused on genuine skill needs. The lists can also be reviewed and changed over time.
14 occupations on New Zealand’s Amber List
Workers in the following occupations face additional requirements if they want to use the Skilled Work Experience pathway:
- Accommodation and Hospitality Manager
- Hotel or Motel Manager
- Hotel Service Manager
- Baker
- Bed and Breakfast Operator
- Café or Restaurant Manager
- Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager
- Chef
- Customer Service Manager
- ICT Customer Support Officer
- ICT Support Technicians
- Office Manager
- Pastrycook
- Web Administrator
Immigration New Zealand says applicants in these occupations must be paid at least 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold.
They must also have at least three years of relevant work experience in New Zealand in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation, plus another two years of skilled work experience in New Zealand in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation while earning at least 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold.
This means an amber-listed occupation does not automatically prevent a worker from pursuing residence through the pathway, but the applicant faces a higher work-experience and pay requirement.
Six occupations on New Zealand’s Red List
The Red List contains:
- Beauty Therapist
- Hair or Beauty Salon Manager
- Hairdresser
- Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec
- Massage Therapist
- Retail Manager (General)
People whose current job or job offer falls under one of these occupations cannot use the Skilled Work Experience pathway of the SMC Resident Visa.
However, this does not mean these workers are automatically barred from New Zealand residence.
Immigration New Zealand says migrants in red-listed occupations can still apply through an existing SMC pathway if they meet the requirements for that pathway. For example, an applicant may qualify by meeting the points requirements through factors such as income, a recognised qualification or occupational registration.
What happens if your job is not on either list?
Workers whose occupations are not on the Red or Amber Lists can use the standard requirements for the Skilled Work Experience pathway if they meet the other conditions.
Under the current rules, the pathway generally requires a skilled job or job offer in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation, pay of at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold, three years of relevant work experience and an additional two years of skilled work experience in New Zealand.
The job or job offer must also be with an accredited New Zealand employer.
Other routes to New Zealand residence remain available
The Red and Amber Lists are only part of New Zealand’s skilled residence system.
The SMC currently has three main pathways: the Points-based pathway, Skilled Work Experience pathway, and Trades and Technician pathway.
The points-based pathway allows applicants to claim points based on factors such as their qualification, income or occupational registration, with New Zealand skilled work experience potentially adding further points.
The Trades and Technician pathway is designed for eligible trades and technician occupations and requires a relevant qualification and specified work experience.
Outside the SMC, New Zealand also has other residence routes, including pathways connected to occupations on the Green List, care workforce roles and the transport sector.
What migrants with affected jobs should check
Anyone planning to move to New Zealand or already working there should first identify the exact occupation and ANZSCO classification attached to their job.
This is important because job titles can differ between employers while immigration eligibility is determined using occupational classifications and the duties associated with the role.
Applicants should then check which residence pathway they are using and whether their pay, qualifications, registration and work experience meet that pathway’s requirements.
Immigration New Zealand also advises applicants to check the full requirements of the specific visa rather than relying solely on an occupation list.
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa allows successful applicants to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely and can include a partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in the application, subject to the visa requirements.
For migrants whose occupations appear on the Red or Amber Lists, therefore, the key issue is not simply whether their job is listed. They need to determine which residence pathway they qualify for and whether their particular job, pay, qualifications and work experience satisfy its requirements.