From 24 August 2026, New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) will undergo some of its biggest changes in recent years.
The Government has announced a range of updates designed to create more practical and achievable pathways to residence for skilled migrants already living and working in New Zealand. The changes also introduce new residence pathways for trades and technical workers, while placing greater value on New Zealand work experience and qualifications.
If you’re planning your future in New Zealand, here’s a simple overview of what you need to know.
A More Flexible Skilled Migrant Category
The Skilled Migrant Category will continue to use a points system, but the updated framework places greater emphasis on the experience you’ve gained in New Zealand from work and obtaining local qualifications.
Applicants will still need to meet the required points threshold, with points awarded for factors such as:
- Skilled employment in New Zealand
- Time spent working in a skilled job in New Zealand
- Qualifications
- Occupational registration
- Income levels based on median wage for specific skilled work
One important change is that qualifications completed in New Zealand will generally receive one more point than equivalent overseas qualifications. This is expected to make it easier for some international students to transition from study to residence.
Applicants claiming qualification points will also need to provide their qualification certificate and an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for most overseas qualifications
Additional rules will apply for applicants claiming points for Level 8 and 9 qualifications, including postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees.
New Skilled Work Experience Pathway
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a new Skilled Work Experience Pathway.
This new pathway is aimed at migrants who have already built solid careers in New Zealand and can demonstrate long-term skilled experience.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be working in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 role
- Have at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience
- Have completed at least 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand
- Have earned at least 1.1 times the SMC median wage during that New Zealand experience
For some occupations on Immigration New Zealand’s new “amber list”, stricter requirements apply. These applicants must show:
- 2 years earning at least 1.2 times the SMC median wage
- 5 years of relevant work experience in New Zealand
New Trades and Technician Pathway
The Government has also confirmed a new Trades and Technician Pathway.
This pathway is aimed at skilled tradespeople and technicians working in eligible ANZSCO Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations.
Applicants must:
- Hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification
- Have at least 4 years of directly relevant post-qualification experience of which the 18months in NZ is part of the 4 years total, not on top of it.
- Have completed at least 18 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand
- Meet the applicable Skilled Migrant Category wage threshold.
The new pathway is expected to benefit industries experiencing ongoing skills shortages, including construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, and engineering.
New Red and Amber Occupation Lists
AAs part of the reforms, Immigration New Zealand is introducing new “red” and “amber” occupation lists to help manage immigration risk and target genuine skill shortages.
Amber list occupations are not eligible for the Trades and Technician pathway at all; they may still use the Skilled Work Experience pathway.
Red List occupations
Migrants working in Red List occupations will not be eligible for the two new residence pathways.
However, they may still qualify for residence under the existing Skilled Migrant Category settings by meeting the current points requirements by claiming 6 points through:
- Higher wage thresholds
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Recognised occupational registration with sufficient skilled work experience
Amber List occupations
Migrants working in Amber List occupations may still be eligible under the Skilled Work Experience Pathway, although higher work experience and wage requirements will apply.
Current amber list occupations include several hospitality, accommodation, food service, and ICT support roles.
The Government has also confirmed that these occupation lists will be reviewed regularly and may change over time.
Easier Wage Requirements
Another significant change relates to wage thresholds.
Under the new rules, applicants will generally only need to meet the wage threshold that applied when they began gaining their skilled work experience and maintain at least that wage when applying for residence.
This is designed to reduce the impact of changing wage thresholds during a migrant’s journey to residence.
A new five-month grace period will also apply if the wage threshold increases shortly after an Accredited Employer Work Visa is granted.
Other Important Changes
Several additional updates have also been confirmed:
- From 24 August 2026, the term “median wage” will be replaced with “wage threshold”.
- English language test results will remain valid for five years for applicants with recognised occupational registration.
- CPA Australia members who can work as Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand will now be recognised under the Skilled Migrant Category occupational registration settings.
- From 2027, eligible migrants who need up to 12 more months of skilled work experience may be able to apply for an extension to their Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
Further details are expected closer to implementation.
What Do These Changes Mean?
Overall, these reforms aim to create clearer and more achievable pathways to residence for skilled migrants already contributing to New Zealand’s workforce.
By recognising local work experience, introducing new residence pathways, easing wage requirements, and expanding opportunities for trades and technical workers, the Government hopes to provide greater certainty for migrants while helping employers retain skilled staff.
If you’re unsure how these changes may affect your situation, it’s worth seeking professional advice before making important decisions about your career or residency plans.
At Woburn International, we can help you understand how the upcoming Skilled Migrant Category changes may apply to you, your family, or your employees.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your pathway to residence.
0645694861 | services@woburn.co.nz
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When do the new Skilled Migrant Category changes take effect?
The new Skilled Migrant Category rules are scheduled to come into effect on 24 August 2026.
2. What are the biggest changes to the Skilled Migrant Category?
The key changes include two new residence pathways, greater recognition of New Zealand work experience and qualifications, updated wage threshold rules, new Red and Amber occupation lists, and changes to English language requirements.
3. Will New Zealand qualifications receive more recognition?
Yes. Under the new rules, qualifications completed in New Zealand will generally receive one more point than equivalent overseas qualifications.
4. What is the Skilled Work Experience Pathway?
It is a new residence pathway for eligible migrants who have built skilled work experience in New Zealand and meet the required work experience, wage, and occupation criteria.
5. What is the Trades and Technician Pathway?
It is a new residence pathway for eligible tradespeople and technicians working in qualifying occupations who meet the relevant qualification, work experience, and wage requirements.
6. What are the Red and Amber occupation lists?
These are new occupation lists that determine which residence pathways may be available under the Skilled Migrant Category. Different eligibility requirements apply depending on which list an occupation appears on.
7. Do the wage requirements change?
Yes. Applicants will generally need to meet the wage threshold that applied when they began gaining their skilled work experience and maintain at least that wage when applying for residence.
