Is my master's in Computer Science eligible for New Zealand's Green List immigration points, specifically for roles like Software Engineer, ICT Project Manager, or ICT Security Specialist?

New Zealand's Green List is occupation-based, not points-based, and this is the most common source of confusion. Software Engineer, ICT Project Manager, and ICT Security Specialist all sit under specific ANZSCO occupation codes on Tier 1 of the Green List, and the current requirement for these ICT roles is primarily a salary threshold of NZD 67.12 an hour, or about NZD 139,610 a year at 40 hours a week, rather than a specific degree requirement.

Your Degree Matters More Under The Skilled Migrant Category

• A separate points system: the Skilled Migrant Category runs on its own 6-point scale, and under rules effective from 24 August 2026, an overseas Level 9 Master's degree is worth 5 points, provided you also hold a bachelor's degree.
• Adding work experience: qualifying New Zealand work experience can add up to a further 3 points, meaning 5 points from your Master's plus roughly a year of qualifying skilled work could reach the maximum 6 points.
• Green List Tier 1 advantage: qualifying employment in a Tier 1 role can lead to the Straight to Residence pathway, skipping the usual two years of New Zealand work experience some other roles require.

Get Your Indian Master's Assessed By NZQA

An Indian Master's is not automatically treated as equivalent to a New Zealand Level 9 qualification. You generally need it assessed through an NZQA International Qualification Assessment, unless your specific qualification falls under an exemption list, before it can count toward the Skilled Migrant Category points.

This Information Is Also Available On

Immigration New Zealand.

My Advice

Do not assume the Master's alone secures your Green List eligibility for these three roles. Confirm the exact ANZSCO occupation code your job offer falls under and check it against the current salary threshold before accepting an offer, and start your NZQA qualification assessment early since it can take time to process alongside your job search.