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Email supportSkilled Migrant Category · New Zealand visa route
From 24 August 2026 two new pathways open: Skilled Work Experience (5 years of relevant experience, at least 2 in New Zealand, paid at 1.1x the Skilled Migrant wage threshold) and Trades and Technician (4 years of post-qualification experience, at least 18 months in New Zealand, Level 4+ qualification). The existing six-point route stays, with a New Zealand bachelor's degree rising from 3 to 5 points, an overseas bachelor's from 3 to 4, and the New Zealand work experience needed for full points falling from up to 3 years to 2. Most applicants are assessed against the wage threshold that applied when they began accumulating qualifying New Zealand work. Unsubmitted draft EOIs are deleted when the new system opens.
Points, skilled work experience, or trades and technician
Typical timeline / duration: 6-18 months
From 24 August 2026 the existing Points-based pathway is joined by two new pathways aimed at applicants without a qualifying degree. All three still require a skilled job or job offer with an accredited employer.
| Pathway | Who it suits | Core requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Points-based | Applicants with a New Zealand occupational registration, a qualifying degree, or high income | Reach 6 skilled resident points from one skill category, plus up to 3 more from skilled NZ work experience |
| Skilled Work Experience | Applicants without a qualifying degree but with a strong work history | 3+ years relevant experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1-3 role, plus 2 more years of skilled NZ experience paid at least 1.1x the SMC wage threshold |
| Trades and Technician | Trades and technical occupations | Level 4+ qualification, plus 2.5 years relevant experience and 1.5 years of skilled NZ experience paid at least the SMC wage threshold |
If your job or job offer is on the Amber List, extra conditions apply to the Skilled Work Experience pathway. Red List roles and ANZSCO skill level 4-5 roles are not eligible for it. Self-employment cannot count as relevant or skilled work experience for either new pathway.
You need 6 total skilled resident points: 3 to 6 points from one skill category (occupational registration, qualification, or income), plus up to 3 more points from skilled New Zealand work experience if you are short of 6.
| Training/experience required for the registration | Points |
|---|---|
| 6+ years of experience, training, or both | 6 |
| 5 years | 5 |
| 4 years | 4 |
| 2 years (minimum) | 3 |
New Zealand qualification, or overseas qualification confirmed equivalent by an International Qualification Assessment (IQA):
| Qualification level | Points |
|---|---|
| Level 10 doctoral degree | 6 |
| Level 9 master's degree | 5 |
| Level 8 bachelor honours degree or postgraduate diploma | 4 |
| Level 8 postgraduate certificate or level 7 bachelor's degree | 3 |
If your IQA recognises your overseas qualification on the NZQF but not as a New Zealand equivalent: level 10 = 5 points, level 9 = 4 points, level 8 = 3 points. Non-degree qualifications at level 7 or below earn no points.
Changing from 24 August 2026: bachelor's-degree qualification points and the New Zealand work-experience cap both move in the applicant's favour.
| What changes | Before 24 Aug 2026 | From 24 Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible New Zealand bachelor's degree | 3 points | 5 points |
| Overseas bachelor's degree | 3 points | 4 points |
| Maximum New Zealand work experience needed to reach full points on this scale | Up to 3 years | Up to 2 years |
| Pay rate | Points |
|---|---|
| 3x median wage or more (NZD $105.00/hour+) | 6 |
| 2x median wage or more (NZD $70.00/hour+) | 4 |
| 1.5x median wage or more (NZD $52.50/hour+) | 3 |
| Work experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 3 years of skilled work experience within the last 5 years | 3 |
| 2 years within the last 4 years | 2 |
| 1 year within the last 2 years | 1 |
Work-experience points can only top up whichever single base category (registration, qualification, or income) you are claiming — you cannot combine points from two different base categories.
Your current job or job offer must be:
Skilled New Zealand work experience used for extra points has its own thresholds: ANZSCO skill level 1-3 roles must have been paid at or above the median wage; ANZSCO skill level 4-5 roles must have been paid at or above 1.5x the median wage. From 24 August 2026 you generally only need to meet the wage threshold that applied when you started that skilled work experience, rather than the current, higher rate.
No documents are required to submit an EOI — you only need to describe how you and any family members meet the requirements.
Significant SMC changes take effect on 24 August 2026: the Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways open, qualification points are adjusted, and the wage-threshold locking rules change. Any draft EOI not submitted before 24 August 2026 will be deleted and must be started again on the new form.
Official source: Immigration New Zealand
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