Skilled Migrant Category NZ: The Three Residence Pathways
The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) offers three routes to New Zealand residence: the Points-based pathway, the Skilled Work Experience pathway, and the Trades and Technician pathway. The changes took effect on 24 August 2026.
The right route depends on your actual job duties, pay, qualifications and employment history. A job title or a certain number of years at work is only the starting point for an assessment.
Compare the three pathways
Pathway | Main requirements to assess |
Points-based | Reach 6 skilled resident points using one skill category—qualifications, eligible New Zealand occupational registration, or income—with qualifying New Zealand skilled work experience where needed. |
Skilled Work Experience | An eligible ANZSCO skill level 1–3 role, generally paid at least 1.1 times the applicable SMC wage threshold; at least 3 years of directly relevant experience plus an additional 2 years of qualifying skilled work in New Zealand. Amber List roles have higher requirements; Red List roles are excluded from this pathway. |
Trades and Technician | A role on the eligible occupation list, a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification, and at least 2.5 years of directly relevant post-qualification experience plus an additional 18 months of qualifying post-qualification skilled work in New Zealand. Applicable pay requirements also apply. |
You must also meet the wider requirements for the visa. Your occupation, employer, employment terms and personal circumstances need to be checked together. Compare the pathways with Immigration New Zealand.
Which wage threshold applies to you?
Your wage assessment depends on your pathway and when you began accumulating qualifying work experience. Under the updated rules, the relevant threshold will generally be the one that applied when qualifying work experience began. A five-month provision may allow the rate at the date your work visa was granted to apply.
A careful timeline of visa approval, employment and pay changes helps establish which rate applies. Read INZ's wage-rule clarification.
Qualifications and work evidence matter
For the Trades and Technician pathway, relevant New Zealand qualifications must meet the 120-credit requirement. Overseas qualifications need an NZQA International Qualification Assessment confirming Level 4 or higher; the 120-credit requirement does not apply to those overseas qualifications.
Self-employment cannot satisfy the directly relevant work experience requirement under the two new pathways. Employment records should explain your duties, dates, hours and pay, supported by independently verifiable evidence. INZ's qualification and experience clarification.
How JZ Immigration can help
We compare the available routes, check how your job fits the occupation rules, review qualification evidence and map your work history against the requirements. We identify missing evidence and explain the next steps before preparing an application within the agreed scope.
For your initial assessment, prepare your CV, passport and current visa, qualifications and transcripts, employment agreement, job description, pay records and details of previous relevant work.
Frequently asked questions
Does an AEWV automatically lead to residence?
No. A work visa and a resident visa have separate requirements. Your employment may contribute to a residence pathway if it meets that pathway's rules.
Can I combine qualification and income points?
The Points-based pathway uses one skill category. Qualifying New Zealand work experience may supplement that category where permitted.
What if my occupation could fit more than one route?
We can compare the evidence, work experience and remaining requirements for each route before recommending an application strategy.
Plan your next step: Book a free initial consultation.
General information only. Eligibility depends on the applicable immigration instructions and your individual circumstances.
Related guides
Compare our skilled residence overview or learn about AEWV and employer accreditation.
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