In addition, applicants will still need to meet other requirements for residence such as health, character and the English language requirement.
These pathways are designed to better reflect the value of practical skills and migrants’ contribution to New Zealand’s workforce. Additional eligibility criteria will apply to certain occupations to manage immigration risk and ensure the pathways remain targeted to genuine skill needs.
The changes also include increased points for New Zealand university-level qualifications, making it easier for graduates to transition to residence. This supports the International Education Plan for Growth by recognising the value of local qualifications and encouraging international students to study here. Applicants claiming points for a post-graduate qualification must also hold an under-graduate degree.
The New Zealand work experience requirements will be modestly reduced for some current pathways. This change reduces the amount of New Zealand work experience required for most migrants, from a maximum of 3 years to a maximum of 2 years. This helps improve the international competitiveness of the SMC settings to better attract and retain skilled and talented migrants.
Other changes also include removing the requirement to have an increased wage rate when applying for residence. Instead, migrants will only need to maintain the same median wage rate throughout their required period of New Zealand work experience.
These changes come into effect in August 2026, and we will provide detailed information closer to the time.
The announcement forms part of the Government’s Going for Growth programme, which includes actions to refine the Accredited Employer Work Visa, improve education outcomes, and support young job seekers into employment or training.
| Points | Current SMC settings | Length of NZ work experience to reach 6 points | New SMC settings | Length of NZ work experience to reach 6 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 |
Qualification: Doctoral degree Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 6 years’ training Income: Job or job offer that pays at least 3 times median wage |
You do not need to claim points from work experience. |
Qualification: Doctoral degree or New Zealand master’s degree Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 6 years’ training Income: Job or job offer that pays at least 3 times median wage |
You do not need to claim points from work experience. |
| 5 |
Qualification: Master’s degree Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 5 years’ training |
1 year |
Qualification: Master’s degree gained outside New Zealand, New Zealand bachelor’s degree, honours degree, post-graduate diploma or post-graduate certificate Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 5 years’ training |
1 year |
| 4 |
Qualification: Honours degree, post-graduate diploma Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 4 years’ training Income: Job or job offer that pays at least 2 times median wage |
2 years |
Qualification: Honour’s degree, bachelor’s degree, post-graduate diploma or post-graduate certificate gained outside New Zealand Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 4 years’ training Income: Job or job offer that pays at least 2 times median wage |
1.5 years |
| 3 |
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or post-graduate certificate Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 2 years’ training Income: Job or job offer that pays at least 1.5 times median wage |
3 years |
Registration: New Zealand recognised registration in a specified occupation, requiring at least 2 years’ training Income: Job or job offer that pays at least 1.5 times median wage |
2 years |
| Does not apply |
Wage assessment Relevant wage rate assessed at start of required New Zealand work experience and at residence application. |
Does not apply |
Wage assessment Removed requirement for relevant wage to be met when applying for residence. Instead, relevant wage rate must be maintained throughout the required period of NZ work experience through to residence. |
Does not apply |
| New pathways and job lists | Eligibility requirements |
|---|---|
| Trades and technician pathway |
To apply under this pathway, you must:
A table listing the specific trades and technician qualifications will be published on our website in the coming months. |
| Skilled work experience pathway |
To apply under this pathway, you must:
|
| Red list |
Red list occupations will be excluded from the new skilled work experience and trades and technician pathways. Migrants applying for these roles may still be eligible under other SMC pathways, for example Bachelor’s or above qualification or 1.5 times the median wage. |
| Amber list |
Occupations on the amber list will have additional eligibility criteria to access the skilled work experience pathway. These occupations will not be eligible for the trades and technician pathway. |
All SMC applicants must also continue to have either current skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment at the relevant wage rate to be granted residence. They must also meet other eligibility requirements for residence, such as character, health and English language.
More information about these changes and the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa:
New residence options to bolster workforce — The Beehive
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
