Skill shortage list checker
Information about the long term skill shortage list (LTSSL) for current visa holders of Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa, the Essential Skills Work Visa, or completing an application for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa under the previous criteria.
This skills shortage list was replaced by the Green List of highly skilled roles that have registration, qualification or experience requirements.
You can search the list of roles for your occupation or industry type.
Find out about upcoming changes to the skilled residence pathways, points system and the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in 2023.
Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and Accredited Employer Work Visa
Long term skill shortage list
The long term skill shortage list (LTSSL) was used to assess the following visas.
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Status: Closed 31 October 2021
If you have a Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa, you may need to refer to the LTSSL if you apply for another Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa or Long Term Skill Shortage Resident Visa.
The Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa closed to new applicants on 31 October 2021 and was replaced by the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Essential Skills Work Visa
Status: Closed 4 July 2022
If you have an Essential Skills Work Visa you may need to refer to the LTSSL if you apply for a variation of conditions.
This work visa closed to new applications on 4 July 2022 and was replaced by the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
You may need to refer to the LTSSL if you received an invitation to apply (ITA) before 9 October 2023 and are in the process of applying.
On 9 October 2023 the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa re-opened with new criteria.
The new visa criteria does not award points for roles on the LTSSL.
Search the Long term skill shortage list
Qualifications listed (unless an exception is stated) are New Zealand awarded qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
Overseas qualifications must be comparable to the standard of the New Zealand qualification listed.
Unless an overseas qualification is listed on the Immigration New Zealand List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (Appendix 3), an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority stating the comparable NZQF qualification is required.