New Zealand Residence Visa & SMC 2026: Complete Guide to the Skilled Migrant Category Changes

New Zealand Residence Visa & SMC 2026: Complete Guide to the Skilled Migrant Category Changes

Published: September 2026
Updated: September 2026

New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa has undergone significant changes in 2026, with new residence pathways, updated qualification rules, revised wage settings and additional requirements for skilled work experience.

For skilled workers already working in New Zealand, or people planning their pathway to New Zealand residence, understanding the current SMC rules is important before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

As of September 2026, the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa has three pathways:

1. Points-based pathway

2. Skilled Work Experience pathway

3. Trades and Technician pathway

The pathway that may be relevant to you depends on your qualification, occupational registration, income, occupation, work experience and New Zealand employment.

This guide explains the 2026 SMC changes, current eligibility requirements, SMC points, wage thresholds, qualification rules and what skilled migrants should consider before applying for residence in New Zealand.

Important: Immigration rules can change. The information in this article is general information based on Immigration New Zealand information available at the time of publication. It is not individual immigration advice. Your eligibility depends on your circumstances and the immigration instructions that apply to your application.

What is the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa?

The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is one of New Zealand's main pathways to residence for skilled migrants.

The visa can allow successful applicants to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely. Eligible applicants may also include their partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in their application, subject to the applicable requirements.

To apply through the SMC, you generally need to have a job or job offer from an accredited employer and meet the requirements of at least one SMC pathway.

Immigration New Zealand currently identifies three SMC pathways:

• Points-based pathway

• Skilled Work Experience pathway

• Trades and Technician pathway

You only need to meet the requirements of one pathway, but you must satisfy all applicable requirements for that pathway and provide supporting evidence.

What changed for SMC in 2026?

The SMC changes introduced in 2026 are particularly relevant to skilled migrants who are building a pathway to New Zealand residence.

The changes include:

• New Trades and Technician residence pathway

• New Skilled Work Experience pathway

• Changes to qualification points

• Updated evidence requirements for qualifications

• New rules relating to overseas qualifications

• Updated SMC wage settings

• Clarification of genuine employment requirements

• Changes affecting directly relevant work experience

• Self-employment restrictions under the two new pathways

• Updated rules for English language test validity for certain applicants

• Recognition of CPA Australia membership for eligible accountants

• A planned future option to extend certain AEWVs to complete skilled work experience requirements

The major changes took effect from 24 August 2026, although some future measures are scheduled for later implementation.

The 3 SMC pathways in 2026

1. Points-based SMC pathway

The Points-based pathway remains relevant to migrants who can claim skilled resident points from:

• Qualifications

• New Zealand occupational registration

• Income

You need 6 skilled resident points.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to claim points from one of these skill categories and then add eligible skilled work experience in New Zealand to reach 6 points.

Importantly, you cannot combine qualification points and income points together. The rules allow skilled work experience in New Zealand to supplement points from the relevant primary category where applicable.

How SMC points work

You can claim between 3 and 6 points from one primary skill category.

The categories are:

Primary categoryHow it can contributeQualificationBased on the recognised qualification and whether it was obtained in New Zealand or overseasOccupational registrationBased on the registration and required training/experienceIncomeBased on your qualifying rate of payNZ skilled work experienceUp to 3 additional points where applicable

You cannot simply add points from every category together.

For example, a person cannot combine qualification points with income points and then add work experience. The applicable SMC rules determine which points can be combined.

SMC qualification points in 2026

The qualification rules changed from 24 August 2026.

Current INZ information shows the following points structure.

New Zealand qualifications

QualificationPointsLevel 10 Doctoral Degree6Level 9 Master's Degree — 30 weeks full-time study in NZ6Level 9 Master's Degree — not meeting the 30-week requirement5Level 8 Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate5Level 7 Bachelor's Degree5

Some Level 8 and Level 9 qualifications require the applicant to also hold a bachelor's degree.

A New Zealand master's degree may qualify for 6 points where the applicant has completed at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand and holds a bachelor's degree.

Overseas qualifications

For recognised international qualifications, the current points include:

Overseas qualificationPointsLevel 10 Doctoral Degree6Level 9 Master's Degree5Level 8 Honours / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate4Level 7 Bachelor's Degree4

An overseas qualification generally needs an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) unless it is covered by the applicable exemption, such as the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.

Additional evidence requirements can apply to higher-level qualifications.

SMC points for occupational registration

New Zealand occupational registration can also provide skilled resident points where the registration is eligible under the SMC rules.

The current points structure is based on the minimum years of training or experience required to obtain the registration:

Minimum training/experiencePoints6 years65 years54 years42 years3

If additional New Zealand skilled work experience is required to reach 6 points, only work experience obtained after the relevant occupational registration can be counted for this purpose.

SMC income points in 2026

Income can also be used to claim skilled resident points.

From the current SMC wage threshold information, the standard SMC wage threshold is NZD $35.00 per hour for the relevant ANZSCO skill levels from 9 March 2026.

For the Points-based pathway:

Pay levelPoints1.5 × SMC wage threshold32 × SMC wage threshold43 × SMC wage threshold6

Based on the current $35.00 hourly SMC wage threshold, these levels correspond to:

• $52.50/hour — 3 points

• $70.00/hour — 4 points

• $105.00/hour — 6 points

The applicable threshold can depend on the pathway and when qualifying New Zealand skilled work experience started.

New SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway

One of the significant changes introduced in 2026 is the Skilled Work Experience pathway.

This pathway is designed for people whose skills have been developed substantially through work experience rather than primarily through a formal qualification.

Under the current requirements, applicants generally need:

• A job or job offer in an eligible skill level 1–3 occupation

• Pay of at least 1.1 times the applicable SMC wage threshold

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience

• An additional 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand

For applicants whose work is on the Amber List, additional requirements can apply.

Occupations on the Red List cannot use the new Skilled Work Experience pathway.

Self-employment cannot be used as relevant work experience under this pathway.

What is the SMC Skilled Work Experience wage requirement?

The current SMC wage threshold is $35.00 per hour for the relevant period beginning 9 March 2026.

For the standard Skilled Work Experience pathway, the current rate is:

1.1 × $35.00 = $38.50 per hour

For eligible Amber List occupations, the higher threshold is:

1.2 × $35.00 = $42.00 per hour

These rates apply according to the relevant SMC rules and the date the applicant began gaining qualifying skilled work experience.

Applicants should not assume that today's wage threshold automatically applies to all previous employment periods.

New Trades and Technician pathway

The Trades and Technician pathway is another major change to New Zealand's residence system.

It is intended for migrants working in eligible trades and technician occupations who meet the required qualification and work experience criteria.

The current pathway requires:

• An eligible trades or technician occupation

• A relevant Level 4 or higher qualification

• At least 4 years of post-qualification relevant work experience

• At least 18 months of qualifying skilled work experience in New Zealand

• Meeting the applicable wage requirements

For New Zealand qualifications under this pathway, the qualification must generally have at least 120 credits.

For relevant overseas qualifications, the 120-credit requirement does not apply in the same way, but an IQA assessing the qualification at Level 4 or higher is required where applicable.

Red List and Amber List occupations under SMC

The 2026 SMC changes also introduced Red and Amber occupation lists for the new pathways.

These lists are important because an applicant's occupation can affect which SMC pathway they may use.

Red List

Occupations on the Red List cannot use the new Skilled Work Experience or Trades and Technician pathways.

However, people working in these occupations may still be able to qualify through the existing Points-based SMC pathway if they meet the relevant requirements.

Amber List

Amber List occupations may be eligible for the Skilled Work Experience pathway, but additional requirements apply.

For example, applicants generally need:

• At least 5 years of relevant eligible work experience in New Zealand

• At least 2 years of skilled New Zealand work experience

• The applicable higher wage threshold

The occupation lists are subject to review, so applicants should check the current INZ list rather than relying on an older article or social media post.

SMC wage threshold changes in 2026

The 2026 changes also simplified how wage thresholds work for applicants who need New Zealand skilled work experience.

In many situations, the applicant's relevant wage threshold is determined by the rate in effect when they began gaining qualifying skilled work experience.

They generally do not have to meet a higher threshold simply because the SMC wage threshold increases later.

There is also a 5-month grace period in certain circumstances where the wage threshold increases between the granting of a work visa and the start of qualifying skilled work experience.

The detailed requirements matter, so applicants should check the applicable dates and evidence before relying on a previous wage threshold.

What counts as skilled work experience for SMC?

This is one of the most important areas for SMC applicants.

Relevant work experience needs to relate to the applicant's current skilled employment or job offer.

For the new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways, directly relevant work experience requirements apply.

INZ has also clarified that self-employment cannot be used to meet the directly relevant work experience requirements for the two new pathways.

Applicants should therefore keep clear evidence of:

• Employment

• Job title

• Job duties

• Hours worked

• Pay

• Employment dates

• Employer details

• Qualifications

• Registration, where relevant

• Tax and other supporting records where applicable

The documents required will depend on the pathway and the circumstances of the application.

Genuine skilled employment and SMC residence

Another important 2026 change relates to genuine employment.

INZ has clarified the requirements around genuine employment for skilled residence applications.

For skilled residence visas, including the SMC Resident Visa, employment offers must be available and ongoing and have a genuine need to be based in New Zealand.

This does not mean that every genuine employment arrangement is affected. INZ has stated that for the majority of skilled residence applications, employment is genuine and the clarification will have no impact.

However, applicants should make sure their employment documentation accurately reflects their actual role, duties, remuneration and employment arrangements.

Can I get New Zealand residence without a master's degree?

Yes, a master's degree is not the only possible route under the SMC.

The current SMC structure recognises several types of skills and experience.

Depending on your circumstances, you may potentially qualify through:

• A bachelor's degree plus eligible New Zealand skilled work experience

• Eligible occupational registration plus New Zealand skilled work experience

• Income-based points

• Extensive skilled work experience through the Skilled Work Experience pathway

• An eligible trade or technician occupation through the Trades and Technician pathway

However, meeting one part of a pathway does not automatically mean that an applicant qualifies for residence.

The complete eligibility requirements and evidence must be considered.

Can I apply for SMC residence from an AEWV?

An Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) can be part of a person's pathway towards residence, but holding an AEWV by itself does not mean that the person qualifies for an SMC Resident Visa.

The applicant must meet the requirements of an SMC pathway.

Depending on the pathway, this can involve:

• Skilled employment

• Relevant work experience

• New Zealand skilled work experience

• Qualification

• Occupational registration

• Income

• Wage thresholds

• Occupation-specific requirements

INZ has also announced a future ability, scheduled for introduction in 2027, for some migrants who need up to 12 additional months of skilled work experience to extend an AEWV to complete the required SMC work experience. Further eligibility and process details are expected from INZ.

What is an SMC Expression of Interest (EOI)?

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is the first step for the SMC Resident Visa.

You submit information showing how you meet the relevant SMC requirements.

If your EOI demonstrates that you meet the requirements, INZ can invite you to apply for residence.

The EOI is not the same as the residence application. After an invitation, applicants need to provide evidence supporting the claims made in their application.

This is why it is important to ensure that your qualification, employment, income, registration and work experience information is accurate before submitting an EOI.

SMC document checklist: what evidence may be required?

The exact evidence depends on the pathway and individual circumstances.

Applicants may need evidence such as:

Employment evidence

• Employment agreement

• Job offer

• Employer information

• Position description

• Evidence of remuneration

• Payslips

• Other employment records

Qualification evidence

• Qualification certificate

• Academic transcript

• IQA, where required

• Evidence of supporting bachelor's degree where applicable

Work experience evidence

• Employment records

• Reference letters

• Payslips

• Tax records

• Employment agreements

• Evidence demonstrating the nature and duration of relevant work

Registration evidence

• Current occupational registration

• Evidence of the registration requirements

• Relevant supporting documentation

The correct evidence depends on the SMC pathway and the claims being made.

SMC 2026: Common mistakes applicants should avoid

1. Assuming a job title determines eligibility

A job title alone does not necessarily establish that an applicant meets the relevant skilled employment requirements.

The actual role, duties, occupation classification and other requirements need to be considered.

2. Adding all SMC points together

The Points-based pathway does not allow applicants to simply combine qualification, income and registration points.

The rules specify which categories can be used together.

3. Using an old SMC points table

The SMC system changed in 2026.

Information published before 24 August 2026 may no longer accurately reflect the current qualification or pathway settings.

4. Assuming today's wage threshold applies to all past work

For pathways involving skilled work experience, the relevant wage threshold can depend on when qualifying work experience began.

5. Relying on self-employment for the new pathways

Self-employment cannot be used as relevant work experience for the new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways.

6. Submitting an EOI without checking supporting evidence

An EOI should accurately reflect the evidence that can be provided later.

Applicants should avoid making assumptions about qualifications, employment, income or work experience without checking the applicable requirements.

How to plan your SMC residence pathway in 2026

A practical approach is to work through these questions:

Step 1 — Identify your occupation

Check the occupation associated with your current job and determine the applicable skill level and whether any occupation-specific SMC rules apply.

Step 2 — Check your employment

Confirm that your New Zealand employment or job offer meets the relevant requirements, including employer accreditation and remuneration.

Step 3 — Identify your SMC pathway

Consider whether your circumstances fit:

• Points-based pathway

• Skilled Work Experience pathway

• Trades and Technician pathway

Step 4 — Calculate your points or work experience

For the Points-based pathway, determine whether your qualification, occupational registration or income can provide points and whether New Zealand skilled work experience is required to reach 6 points.

For the other pathways, check the required work experience, qualification and wage criteria.

Step 5 — Check qualification requirements

If relying on an overseas qualification, determine whether an IQA is required and whether the qualification is included on an applicable exemption list.

Step 6 — Review your evidence

Make sure your employment, qualification, work experience and other documents support the information you intend to provide.

Step 7 — Consider the EOI

If you meet the relevant requirements, the EOI process is the next stage for the SMC Resident Visa.

New Zealand residence pathways: is SMC the only option?

No.

The SMC Resident Visa is one of several skilled residence pathways available in New Zealand.

Depending on your occupation and circumstances, other skilled residence options can include:

• Straight to Residence

• Work to Residence

• Care Workforce Work to Residence

• Transport Work to Residence

• Skilled Migrant Category

The appropriate pathway depends on factors such as your occupation, employer, qualification, registration, work experience, remuneration and the applicable immigration instructions.

A person who does not meet the SMC requirements may therefore need to consider whether another residence pathway is relevant to their circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions about SMC Residence in New Zealand

How many points do I need for SMC?

You need 6 skilled resident points for the Points-based SMC pathway. Points may come from a qualification, occupational registration or income, with eligible New Zealand skilled work experience potentially adding up to 3 points where required.

What are the new SMC pathways in 2026?

The SMC now has three pathways: the Points-based pathway, Skilled Work Experience pathway, and Trades and Technician pathway.

What is the SMC wage threshold in 2026?

The current SMC wage threshold is $35.00 per hour for the relevant rates from 9 March 2026. Different pathways and circumstances can require higher multiples of this threshold.

Can I use New Zealand work experience for SMC points?

Yes. Eligible New Zealand skilled work experience can provide up to 3 additional points under the Points-based pathway when the applicant needs additional points to reach 6.

Can I use self-employment for the new SMC pathways?

Self-employment cannot be used as relevant work experience for the new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways.

Do I need a master's degree for New Zealand residence?

No. A master's degree is not the only possible route to SMC residence. Depending on your circumstances, residence may be possible through qualification, occupational registration, income, skilled work experience or the Trades and Technician pathway.

Can I include my partner and children in an SMC application?

The SMC Resident Visa allows eligible applicants to include their partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.

Can an AEWV lead to New Zealand residence?

An AEWV can be part of a person's journey towards residence, but holding an AEWV does not by itself establish eligibility for the SMC Resident Visa. The applicant must meet the requirements of an applicable residence pathway.

Final thoughts: understanding your SMC pathway in 2026

The 2026 changes have created additional options for some skilled migrants while also introducing new occupation, qualification, work experience and evidence requirements.

The most important question is not simply “How many SMC points do I have?”

It is:

“Which SMC pathway applies to my circumstances, and can I provide evidence that I meet every requirement of that pathway?”

Before submitting an EOI or residence application, review your:

• Occupation

• Employment

• Employer accreditation

• Pay rate

• Qualification

• Occupational registration

• Relevant work experience

• New Zealand skilled work experience

• Immigration history

• Supporting evidence

Immigration New Zealand's requirements can change, and individual circumstances can affect eligibility.

For current information, applicants should check the latest Immigration New Zealand instructions and obtain regulated immigration advice where appropriate.

Need help understanding your New Zealand residence options?

If you are working in New Zealand and considering SMC residence, the first step is understanding which pathway may apply to your circumstances.

Kiwiana Immigration provides immigration advice through New Zealand Licensed Immigration Advisers.

You can discuss your circumstances, including your occupation, qualification, work experience, employment and potential residence pathway, with a licensed adviser.

Kiwiana Immigration
New Zealand Licensed Immigration Advisers
Auckland, New Zealand

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute immigration advice. Immigration requirements and instructions may change. Individual eligibility depends on the applicant's circumstances and the immigration instructions in force at the time of application.