New Zealand Resident Visa Pathways: Skilled Migrant, Green List and How Points Work
Llandora·Updated 2026-10-14
⚠️ Disclaimer: For general information only — not tax, financial, legal, or medical advice. Figures may be outdated or incorrect; tax rules change frequently. Verify important decisions with the CRA/IRS or a qualified professional (for health topics, a licensed healthcare provider). You use this information at your own risk.
The short answer
New Zealand residence for skilled workers runs through three main doors: the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) points system, the Green List fast tracks for in-demand occupations, and Work to Residence routes. Major changes in August 2026 added new SMC pathways — so guides written before mid-2026 are out of date. This is the current picture.
The Skilled Migrant Category: 6 points to residence
The SMC is the general skilled-residence route. The core rule is simple: you need 6 points, claimed from a mix of qualifications, occupational registration, income, and skilled work experience in New Zealand.
You must also meet the baseline: be 55 or younger, hold (or be offered) skilled employment with an accredited employer, meet English, health and character requirements, and be paid at least the median wage (currently NZ$35/hour, reviewed annually — confirm the current figure).
The August 2026 changes added two new pathways alongside the original points-based route, so SMC now offers three ways to reach 6 points:
Points-based pathway (the original): points from NZ-recognised qualifications (Bachelor's 3, Master's 5, PhD 6), eligible occupational registration, or high income (1.5× median wage = 3 points/year; 2× = 4; 3× = 6), plus points for skilled work experience in NZ.
Skilled work experience pathway: residence based on sustained skilled work experience in New Zealand with an accredited employer.
Trades and technician pathway: a dedicated route for qualified tradespeople and technicians, recognising that the old system undervalued skilled trades.
You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI); if selected, Immigration New Zealand invites you to apply for residence.
The Green List: the fast lane
The Green List covers occupations New Zealand has formally identified as in chronic shortage. It has two tiers:
Tier 1 — Straight to Residence: apply for residence immediately on arrival (or even from offshore) if you have a job offer from an accredited employer in a Tier 1 occupation and meet the listed requirements.
Tier 2 — Work to Residence: work in the Tier 2 occupation for 24 months with an accredited employer, then apply for residence.
Tier 1 includes roles like construction project managers, engineers, ICT specialists and certain health professionals; Tier 2 covers a wider set including many trades and care roles. The list is reviewed — always check the current Green List before planning around it.
Accredited employers: the non-negotiable
Nearly every skilled-residence pathway requires a job offer from an accredited employer — an employer Immigration New Zealand has vetted and approved to hire migrants. Before accepting an offer, verify the employer's accreditation status on the Immigration New Zealand register. An offer from a non-accredited employer does not count, however skilled the role.
Median wage and the moving goalposts
Points thresholds, wage thresholds and the Green List are all indexed to the median wage, which Immigration New Zealand updates periodically (currently NZ$35/hour). Because thresholds move, an occupation or salary that qualified last year may not qualify this year. Check the current median wage figure at the time you apply — not the figure from when you started planning.
Which route fits you?
Degree + skilled job offer: SMC points-based pathway; a Master's plus a year of NZ skilled work often reaches 6 quickly.
Qualified tradie: the new trades and technician pathway, or Green List Tier 2.
Green List occupation with offer: Straight to Residence (Tier 1) is the fastest route in the system.
Already working in NZ on a work visa: SMC work-experience pathway may convert your time in country into residence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for SMC from outside New Zealand?
Yes — but you need a skilled job offer (or current skilled employment) from an accredited employer. Offshore applicants most commonly enter via the Green List Straight to Residence or an Accredited Employer Work Visa first.
Do my partner and children get residence too?
Yes — partners and dependent children (generally under 24) can be included in a resident visa application.
How long does SMC take?
Timeframes vary with INZ workload; EOIs are selected regularly and residence decisions typically take several months after invitation. Check current processing times on the INZ website.
What if I am over 55?
The SMC age cap is 55. Older skilled migrants generally need other residence categories (such as investor or family categories) — check current options on immigration.govt.nz.
Does residence mean permanent?
A resident visa lets you live, work and study indefinitely, but includes travel conditions (usually 2 years). After meeting requirements you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which removes travel conditions.
Sources
Immigration New Zealand, Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa/
Immigration New Zealand, Getting NZ residence based on your skills: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/getting-new-zealand-residence-based-on-your-skills/
Immigration New Zealand, Skilled residence pathways: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/
This article is general information about New Zealand immigration pathways, not immigration advice. Thresholds, wage rates and occupation lists change — confirm everything on immigration.govt.nz and consider a licensed immigration adviser for your application.
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