The points system for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC) will undergo modifications on August 24, 2026. Additionally, we plan to modify the SMC pay threshold (median wage) regulations and establish two new pathways to the SMC.
What has changed since August 2026
We will be implementing the following modifications to the SMC starting on August 24, 2026:
- 2 new SMC pathways, alongside the existing Points-based pathway
- updates to the Points-based pathway, and
- changes to the SMC wage-threshold (median-wage) rules.
Who is impacted?
You might be impacted if you:
- are already working in New Zealand and planning to apply for an SMC Resident Visa
- They are relying on a qualification to get points
- do not currently meet the 6-point threshold, or
- work in a trades or technician role.
New SMC pathways
From 24 August 2026, 2 new pathways will be added to the SMC. The Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway.
| Pathway | Who is it for | Main requirements |
| Points-based | Most applicants | Reach 6 points |
| Skilled Work Experience | People with strong work history | 5+ years of work experience |
| Trades & Technician | Trades/technical roles | Qualification and work experience |
Pathway for Skilled Work Experience
According to the existing regulations, if you do not have enough points from your salary, qualification, or occupational registration alone, you can use skilled work experience in New Zealand to reach the six-point barrier.
Starting on August 24, 2026, the SMC will offer a new pathway that enables you to obtain housing solely through job experience. The Points-based pathway will not be connected to this.
The Skilled Work Experience pathway will be available to you if you:
- work in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupation or receive a job offer that pays at least 1.1 times the SMC salary threshold (median wage).
- possess a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupation, and
- possess a minimum of 1.1 times the SMC median wage (median wage threshold) and two more years of skilled job experience in New Zealand in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation.
To qualify for this option, you must meet additional requirements if your current position or job offer is on the Amber List.
You won’t be eligible for this pathway if your present position or job offer is on the Red List or is an ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 occupation.
Self-employment is not considered meaningful job experience.
Jobs on the Amber List
Those who are hired or have a job offer in these fields must:
- get compensation that is at least 1.2 times the SMC wage requirement, and
- possess a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation in New Zealand, and
- have an additional 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation, paid at least 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold (median wage).
Table 1: Amber list occupations for the Skilled Work Experience pathway
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
| 141999 | Accommodation and Hospitality Manager nec |
| 141311 | Hotel or Motel Manager |
| 431411 | Hotel Service Manager |
| 351111 | Baker |
| 141911 | Bed and Breakfast Operator |
| 141111 | Café or Restaurant manager |
| 141211 | Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager |
| 351311 | Chef |
| 149212 | Customer Service Manager |
| 313112 | ICT Customer Support Officer |
| 313199 | ICT Support Technicians nec |
| 512111 | Office Manager |
| 351112 | Pastrycook |
| 313113 | Web Administrator |
Red list occupations
These occupations are not eligible for the new Skilled Work Experience pathway:
Table 2: Red list occupations for the Skilled Work Experience pathway
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
| 451111 | Beauty Therapist |
| 142114 | Hair or Beauty Salon Manager |
| 391111 | Hairdresser |
| 149999 | Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec |
| 411611 | Massage Therapist |
| 142111 | Retail Manager (General) |
Pathway for Trades and Technicians
People with trades and technician vocations will have access to a new pathway starting on August 24, 2026.
The Trades and Technician pathway will be available to you if you:
- possess at least the SMC salary threshold (median wage) of post-qualification, skilled job experience in New Zealand for an extra 1.5 years.
- work as a technician or in an eligible trade that pays at least the SMC salary threshold (median wage).
- possess a relevant qualification that is either higher than or equal to level 4 on the NZQCF.
- possess a minimum of 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupation, and
New Zealand qualification requirements for redit
If you possess a New Zealand qualification, it must be:
- at least 120 credits on the NZQCF, or
- less than 120 credits but with multiple prerequisite qualifications that together make at least 120 credits.
The 120 credit threshold will not be met if you received credits in recognition of earlier learning.
There are no credit requirements, but your international qualification must be at least level 4.
Evidence of qualifications
- You will need to provide evidence of your qualification.
Overseas qualifications
You must obtain an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) if you have an international qualification. A copy of the IQA and the qualification certificate must be submitted with your residency application.
New Zealand qualifications
When applying for residency, you must submit a copy of your New Zealand qualification certificate together with an academic transcript (or its equivalent).
The amount of time needed to obtain job experience
For the Skilled Work Experience or Trades and Technician track, you must have completed your work experience within a certain amount of time.
This period, which starts on the day you apply for residency, is ten years for relevant job experience. For instance, if you want three years of relevant job experience, it must have been obtained within the ten years before your residency application.
For skilled work experience, this timeframe is twice as long as the amount of experience you need, counted back from the date you apply for residence. For example, if you need 2 years of skilled work experience, this experience must have been gained within the 4 years immediately before you apply for residence.
Changes to the Points-based pathway
From 24 August 2026 you will be able to:
- reach the 6-point threshold with less New Zealand work experience.
- get extra points for New Zealand qualifications
- get more points for overseas bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate certificates, and
Changes from 24 August 2026
From 24 August 2026 you will only need to meet the SMC wage threshold that was in place when you started gaining skilled work experience. This means that your current job or job offer must meet the rate that applied at that time.
For most people, you will not need to meet a higher SMC wage threshold if you change jobs.
You may need to meet a higher SMC wage threshold if you apply under the Points-based pathway and are changing jobs from a skill level 1 to 3 occupation to a skill level 4 or 5 occupation. This change also applies to the new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways.
What you can do now
Before 24 August 2026 you can:
- check if you may qualify under a new pathway
- review your qualifications and work experience
- consider whether you need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA), and
- talk to your employer about your pay and role.
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