The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is targeted at individuals who are seeking to work in a skilled position in New Zealand. Applications are scored using a points system, with points awarded based on factors like time already spent working in New Zealand, academic qualifications, occupational registration in New Zealand and income level.
Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria must have an Expression of Interest accepted by New Zealand Immigration before they will be invited to apply for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa itself.
Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category from 24 August 2026
Major changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa, aimed at helping employers retain skilled workers and supporting New Zealand’s long-term economic growth.
New Residence Pathways
Since 24 August 2026, two new residence pathways have been available under the SMC, alongside the points system:
Skilled Work Experience Pathway
For migrants in skilled roles (ANZSCO skill levels 1–3).
At least 5 years of directly relevant work experience required, including 2 years in New Zealand within the last 4 years, earning at least 1.1 times the median wage (NZD $38.50 an hour). The other 3 years can be anywhere in the last 10 years. Self-employment does not count, and Amber List occupations need all 5 years in New Zealand at 1.2 times the median wage (NZD $42.00 an hour).
Trades and Technician Pathway
For migrants in specified trade or technician roles.
Must hold a Level 4 or higher qualification (minimum 120 credits).
At least 4 years of post-qualification relevant experience required, within the last 10 years, including 18 months in New Zealand within the last 3 years, paid at or above the median wage (NZD $35.00 an hour).
All applicants will also need to meet standard residence requirements, including health, character, and English language criteria.
Key changes to the SMC
Recognition of practical skills
The new pathways better reflect the value of hands-on skills and the contributions migrants make to New Zealand’s workforce. Certain occupations face additional eligibility criteria (Amber List), while others will be excluded (Red List) to ensure the system remains targeted.Increased points for New Zealand qualifications
More points are now awarded for New Zealand university-level qualifications, particularly at master’s and doctoral level. This change supports the International Education Plan for Growth and encourages international students to study in New Zealand. Applicants claiming postgraduate points must also hold an undergraduate degree.Reduced New Zealand work experience requirements
The maximum New Zealand work experience required for most pathways has decreased from 3 years to 2 years. This makes New Zealand more competitive in attracting skilled migrants.Simplified wage assessment
Migrants no longer need to meet a higher wage threshold at the time of applying for residence. Instead, they must maintain the required wage level consistently throughout their New Zealand work experience period.Comparison of previous and current SMC settings
Table 1: Summary of changes to SMC points and work experience
Points Previous settings (before 24 August 2026) NZ Work Experience (to reach 6 points) Current settings (from 24 August 2026) NZ Work Experience (to reach 6 points) 6 Doctoral degree, or NZ registration requiring 6+ years’ training, or job paying 3x median wage Not required Same as previous, plus NZ master’s degree Not required 5 Master’s degree, or NZ registration requiring 5+ years’ training 1 year Overseas master’s degree, NZ bachelor’s, honours, postgrad diploma/certificate, or NZ registration (5+ years’ training) 1 year 4 Honours or postgrad diploma, or NZ registration requiring 4+ years’ training, or job paying 2x median wage 2 years Overseas honours/bachelor’s/postgrad certificate/diploma, or NZ registration (4+ years’ training), or job paying 2x median wage 1.5 years 3 Bachelor’s degree or postgrad certificate, or NZ registration requiring 2+ years’ training, or job paying 1.5x median wage 3 years NZ registration (2+ years’ training) or job paying 1.5x median wage 2 years Not applicable Wage assessed at start of NZ work experience and at residence application Not applicable Wage requirement only needs to be maintained consistently during NZ work experience Not applicable New pathways (from 24 August 2026)
Table 2: New pathways and eligibility requirements
Pathway Eligibility Requirements Trades and Technician Pathway Must work in a specified trade/technician role (ANZSCO 1–3); hold a Level 4+ qualification (min. 120 credits); 4+ years of relevant experience including 18 months in NZ at/above median wage. Skilled Work Experience Pathway Must work in a skilled role (ANZSCO 1–3); 5+ years of directly relevant experience including 2 years in NZ at/above 1.1x median wage.
Red List: Occupations excluded from the new pathways (but may qualify through other SMC routes, e.g. qualifications or higher wages).
Amber List: Occupations subject to extra eligibility criteria for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway. Not eligible for the Trades and Technician Pathway.
Employment and Other Requirements
All SMC applicants must:
Hold skilled employment or a job offer at the relevant wage rate, and
Meet residence requirements (health, character, English).
Timeline
These changes took effect on 24 August 2026. Unsubmitted draft Expressions of Interest were deleted on that date, so if you had started an EOI before then you will need to create a new one. We can check whether your occupation is on the trades and technician list, or on the Amber or Red List.
This announcement is part of the Government’s Going for Growth programme, which also focuses on refining the Accredited Employer Work Visa, strengthening education outcomes, and helping young people into work or training.
Related news: Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category
How does the new points system work for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa?
The re-opening of applications for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa took place on 9 October 2023, with a number of changes to the eligibilty criteria and application process also coming into force. Chief among these is the new points system, against which all Expressions of Interest and applications will be assessed.
Under the new Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa points system, individuals will need six points in order to be eligible to apply.
Between three and six points can be claimed based on an individual’s academic qualifications, income from the job they hold or intend to take up in New Zealand, or occupational registration.
For qualifications:
- Doctoral degree, or New Zealand master’s degree (with a bachelor’s degree): 6 points
- Overseas master’s degree, or New Zealand bachelor’s, honours degree or postgraduate diploma or certificate: 5 points
- Overseas bachelor’s, honours degree or postgraduate diploma or certificate: 4 points
- Qualification points are assessed against the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework, and postgraduate points need an undergraduate degree as well
For income (as hourly rates):
- At least 3x median wage (NZD $105.00/hour): 6 points
- At least 2x median wage (NZD $70.00/hour): 4 points
- At least 1.5x median wage (NZD $52.50/hour): 3 points
For occupational registration: 3-6 points depending on the occupation, provided that it is listed as an eligible occupational registration by Immigration New Zealand.
Applicants are only permitted to claim points from one of these categories. It is not permitted to combine points from multiple categories to reach the six points required to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa e.g. a job paying 1.5x the median wage (3 points) and a postgraduate certificate (3 points).
To make up any shortfall in points from qualifications, income or occupational registration and meet the required threshold of six points, potential applicants are permitted to claim up to three points from skilled work they have already done in New Zealand: 1 point for 1 year, 2 points for 18 months and 3 points for 2 years. Your job must pay at least the median wage (NZD $35.00 an hour) if it is skill level 1 to 3, or at least 1.5 times the median (NZD $52.50 an hour) for other roles. For example, a skilled worker with a Master’s degree (5 points) who has already done skilled work in New Zealand for one full year (1 point) would be able to reach the six points required to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Who can apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa?
In addition to being able to score six points in the points test, potential applicants for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa must also meet a number of other eligibility criteria in order to be successful in their Expression of Interest (EOI).
All applicants for this visa must demonstrate that they have either a job or job offer in New Zealand with an Accredited Employer. The job must be either:
- full-time and permanent;
- for a minimum fixed term of 12 months; or
- a contract for services of at least six months
In addition to passing the points test and having a qualifying job or job offer, applicants must also:
- be no older than 55 years old at the time of application
- meet New Zealand’s good health and character requirements for visa applications
- prove or demonstrate that they speak and understand English to a sufficient level
If you wish to bring dependants to New Zealand on the basis of your holding this visa, they must also be able to speak English or commit to paying to learn English in New Zealand.
How can I apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa?
Before you can apply for this visa, you must first submit and have accepted an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Your EOI must be submitted online and will need to contain information relating to your qualifications, income or occupational registration, whichever you intend to use as the basis for achieving the six points required to be eligible for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. If the information you provide suggests that you will be able to meet the points test and other eligibility requirements, you will be invited to submit a full visa application.
Submitting an EOI is free of charge. If you subsequently receive an invitation to apply for a visa, you will have to do so and pay the application fee within four months.
How much an application for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa will cost depends on your nationality, with the application fee which is NZD $6,450 for most applicants (application fee plus immigration levy).
Once you have submitted your visa application and paid any application fees, processing times vary, so we check the current timeframes for you when we lodge your application.
Related: Points calculator for Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
