From 24 August 2026, two new pathways under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa will take effect, alongside changes to the current point-based pathway. The changes are designed to provide more options for skilled migrants, better recognise qualifications gained in New Zealand, and simplify some existing settings.
Three Pathways Under the SMC
The SMC will have three pathways available to skilled migrants from 24 August 2026. Each pathway has different eligibility requirements relating to qualifications, skilled employment, work experience, and wages.
Below is a brief introduction to the three pathways under the SMC scheme.
Points-based Pathway
Skilled employment requirements
Skilled employment must be:
- in an ANZSCO 1-3 role, and paid the SMC wage threshold (currently $35 per hour); or
- in an ANZSCO 4-5 role, or in a role not included in ANZSCO; and paid 1.5 times the SMC wage threshold.
Pathway requirements
Principal applicants must have 3-6 points from one of the following skill categories:
- Income: 3-6 points based on SMC wage threshold met; or
- Qualification: 3-6 points based on level and type of qualification on the NZQCF; or
- New Zealand registration: 3-6 points from a recognised NZ registration, licensing or certification.
Skilled work experience in New Zealand requirements
Any skilled work experience in New Zealand must be paid at or above either:
- the SMC wage threshold (for ANZSCO 1-3 roles); or
- 1.5 times the SMC wage threshold (for ANZSCO 4-5 roles or roles not included in ANZSCO); or
- the wage required if claiming points for income for:
- 2 years in the last 4 years (3 points); or
- 18 months in the last 3 years (2 points); or
- 1 year in the last 2 years (1 point).
Skilled Work Experience Pathway
Skilled employment requirements
Skilled employment must be:
- in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and either
- paid 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold; or
- paid 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold for occupations on the Amber List.
Pathway requirements
Principal applicants must have:
- 3 years of directly relevant work experience in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; or
- 3 years of directly relevant work experience in New Zealand, in an ANZSCO 1-3 role for occupations on the Amber List.
Skilled work experience in New Zealand requirements
Principal applicants must have 2 years of additional directly relevant skilled work experience in New Zealand:
- in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and either
- paid 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold; or
- paid 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold if the occupation is on the Amber List.
Trades and Technician Pathway
Skilled employment requirements
Skilled employment must be:
- in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and
- in an occupation listed in the Trades and Technician occupation List (Appendix 23); and
- paid the SMC wage threshold.
Pathway requirements
Principal applicants must have:
- a level 4 (or higher) qualification relevant to the skilled employment occupation; and
- 2 years and 6 months of directly relevant work experience in an ANZSCO 1-3 role, completed post qualification.
Skilled work experience in New Zealand requirements
Principal applicants must have 18 months of additional directly relevant skilled work experience in New Zealand:
- in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and
- paid the SMC wage threshold; and
- completed post level 4 qualification.
Highlighted Changes
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) made a clarification and updates below:
Simpler wage threshold rules – most SMC applicants will generally use the wage threshold that applied when they began accruing skilled work experience, providing more certainty if wage thresholds increase later.
- Qualification evidence clarified – applicants claiming points for Level 8 or 9 qualifications will generally need to provide evidence of a supporting bachelor’s degree. The rules also clarify when an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) is required.
- Trades & Technician pathway updated – the 120-credit requirement has been removed for relevant overseas qualifications. New Zealand qualifications must have at least 120 credits, which can be made up of multiple prerequisite qualifications.
- Self-employment excluded – self-employment cannot be used as directly relevant work experience under the new Trades & Technician and Skilled Work Experience pathways.
- Genuine skilled employment strengthened – employment must be genuinely available and ongoing, with a genuine need for the role to be based in New Zealand.
- Work to Residence wage rules aligned – eligible applicants can generally rely on the wage rate that applied when they began their qualifying work experience, provided they meet the relevant timing and employment requirements.
These changes are designed to make skilled residence settings clearer, provide greater certainty for migrants, and strengthen the focus on genuine skilled employment.
For Employers
If you would like to support your staff, tax records, payslips, holidays taken, and other relevant employment records should be carefully examined before an application is submitted.
Whether employment and work experience can be considered skilled employment and skilled work experience is not always straightforward. It should be thoroughly reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
For Applicants
If you would like to apply under any of the pathways under the SMC, we would suggest doing an initial assessment to ensure your eligibility.
Sometimes, you may be eligible for more than one pathway. Seeking advice from professionals may help strengthen your application and identify potential risks that you may not be aware of.
Our immigration team specialises in thorough, bespoke immigration plans tailored to your circumstances. You are welcome to contact us and arrange an obligation-free meeting with us. We are always happy to help.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided may not be applicable to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent advice from a qualified New Zealand lawyer before making any investment or immigration decisions.
