Skilled Migrant Category: Pathway to Permanent Residence in New Zealand

The NZ skilled migrant category is a points-based system where you must meet the required points requirement to be eligible to apply. You will need a total of 6 points to apply.

You can only claim points from two options. You can claim 3 to 6 points from ONE of the below:

• Occupational registration, licensing or certification
• Qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher)
• Income from your job or job offer

AND a further 1-3 points can be claimed for skilled work experience in New Zealand – 1 point for each year in NZ.

On 24 August 2026, Immigration New Zealand introduced two new residence pathways under the Skilled Migrant Category (“SMC”).

In addition to the existing Points-based pathway, applicants may now apply via the Skilled Work Experience pathway or the Trades and Technicians pathway.

This new pathway allows a person to gain residence in New Zealand from their work experience, without the need for a formal qualification.

To qualify under this pathway, an applicant must have:

• Employment or an offer of employment in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation that pays at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold;
• At least 3 years of ‘relevant’ work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation, and;
• At least an additional 2 years of ‘skilled’ work experience gained in New Zealand in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation paying at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold.

The SMC wage threshold that applies to the applicant will depend on when they started gaining their ‘skilled’ work experience in New Zealand and if it was within the eligible timeframe.

Relevant Work Experience and Skilled Work Experience

Relevant work experience is work experience related to a person’s job or job offer. Work experience from self-employment cannot be claimed.

Skilled work experience is work experience related to a person’s job or job offer, completed in New Zealand, and paid at the required rate.

Amber and Red List jobs

If an applicant’s job or job offer is for a role on the Amber List, there are additional requirements that must be met to be eligible under this pathway.

If an applicant’s job or job offer is for a role on the Red List, or is an ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 occupation, they will not be eligible via this pathway.

Work Experience Timeframes

Under this pathway, an applicant’s work experience must be gained within a set timeframe.

For relevant work experience, the timeframe is 10 years, counted back from the date the applicant applies for residence.

For skilled work experience, the timeframe is twice as long as the amount of experience the applicant needs, counted back from the date they apply for residence. For example, if a person requires 2 years of skilled work experience, this experience must have been gained within the 4 years immediately before they apply for residence.

This new pathway allows a person to gain residence in New Zealand if they work in an eligible trades or technicians job.

To qualify under this pathway, an applicant must have:

• Employment or an offer of employment in an eligible trades and technician occupation paying at least the SMC wage threshold;
• A relevant qualification that is comparable to at least level 4 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (“NZQCF”);
• At least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation, and;
• At least an additional 1.5 years of post-qualification ‘skilled’ work experience in New Zealand being paid at least the SMC wage threshold.

The SMC wage threshold that applies to the applicant will depend on when they started gaining their ‘skilled’ work experience in New Zealand and if it was within the eligible timeframe.

Qualifications

If the applicant’s Trades and Technicians qualification was gained in New Zealand, it must be either at least 120 credits on the NZQCF, or less than 120 credits but with multiple prerequisite qualifications that together make at leave 120 credits.

If the applicant’s qualification is from outside New Zealand, there are no credit requirements but the applicant must obtain an International Qualification Assessment from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Relevant Work Experience and Skilled Work Experience

Relevant work experience is work experience related to a person’s job or job offer. Work experience from self-employment cannot be claimed.

Skilled work experience is work experience related to a person’s job or job offer, completed in New Zealand, and paid at the required rate.

Work Experience Timeframes

Under this pathway, an applicant’s work experience must be gained within a set timeframe.

For relevant work experience, the timeframe is 10 years, counted back from the date the applicant applies for residence.

For skilled work experience, the timeframe is twice as long as the amount of experience the applicant needs, counted back from the date they apply for residence.

• The principal applicant must be 55 years or younger when the application has been submitted.
• You must have a job, or a job offer in New Zealand with an accredited employer to apply.
• You can include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and under, in your residence application.
• You must meet Immigration New Zealand’s character and medical requirements.
• You may be required to provide an acceptable English Language test. Partners and children can also choose to enrol in an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course.
• Your job or job offer must be paid at a median wage or above ($33.56 NZD an hour) unless a wage threshold applies.
• If you are claiming points for work experience, you will also need to meet the relevant wage threshold that was in place at the time you began working.

This visa gives you the right to live, work, and study in New Zealand. After holding the visa for 2 years you may become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident.

Thinking about making New Zealand your home?

Immigration rules can feel complicated, but that’s where we come in. Our experienced team is skilled at handling even the most complex requirements, so you don’t have to feel overwhelmed. We’ll take the time to understand your unique situation, answer all your questions, and give you clear, personalised guidance from start to finish.

We’d love to help you get there. Contact us today to talk through your options and start the journey toward residence.