Immigration New Zealand has released further detail on the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) changes that will take effect in late August 2026. These updates build on the Government’s earlier announcement introducing two new residence pathways, updated points settings, and revised work experience requirements.
Key occupation lists now published
INZ has confirmed three important lists that determine how different roles will be treated under the new SMC settings:
- Trades and Technician Pathway list — This pathway is available to migrants working in specified trade and technical occupations who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification. Applicants will need at least four years of directly relevant post‑qualification skilled work experience, including 1.5 years in New Zealand at or above the SMC median wage.
- Amber List — Migrants in these occupations will not be eligible for the Trades and Technician Pathway. They may still qualify under the Skilled Work Experience Pathway, but only if they have at least five years of relevant New Zealand work experience, including two years of skilled work experience paid at a minimum of 1.2 times the SMC median wage.
- Red List — Migrants working in these roles cannot use the new pathways. They will only be able to apply for residence if they can claim six points under the existing points‑based system. This can be achieved through earning at least 1.5 times the SMC median wage, holding a bachelor’s degree (Level 7) or higher, or having recognised occupational registration, along with meeting the required New Zealand skilled work experience.
Changes applying across all SMC pathways from late August 2026
INZ has also confirmed several system‑wide updates:
- Simplified median wage rules — Applicants will no longer need to meet the current SMC median wage at the time of applying for residence. Instead, they must meet the wage threshold that applied when they began gaining their New Zealand skilled work experience (or the rate required for their specific pathway).
- Grace period for wage calculations — If a migrant starts skilled work experience within five months of their work visa being granted, the wage threshold from the date the visa was issued will apply, even if the median wage has increased since then.
- Clarified qualification requirements — Applicants claiming points for Level 8 or 9 qualifications must also hold a bachelor’s degree (from any country). The exception is for those claiming five points for a New Zealand Level 9 master’s degree, who do not need to hold a bachelor’s degree unless they are claiming six points for a New Zealand master’s degree.
- Extended English test validity — Migrants who hold a recognised occupational registration will now be able to use English language test results that are up to five years old.
- New recognised occupational registration — Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand with membership of CPA Australia will be eligible for six points under the SMC.
Future Accredited Employer Work Visa extension
From 2027 (exact date to be confirmed), migrants who need up to 12 additional months of skilled work experience to meet SMC requirements will be able to apply for a further Accredited Employer Work Visa to complete the experience they need.
Useful links
To see how this could impact your pathway to residence, start by taking our Eligibility Assessment.
