Is the Skilled Migrant Category Right for You?

The New Zealand government has announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa that will help skilled workers and employers. These changes, which take effect in August 2026, are designed to better reflect the value of practical skills and your contribution to New Zealand's workforce.

Skilled Residence Pathways

Two new pathways are being introduced to make it easier to get your NZ Resident Visa:

Skilled Work Experience Pathway: For skilled migrants with at least five years of directly relevant work experience. This must include two years in New Zealand earning at least 1.1 times the median wage.
Trades and Technician Pathway: For migrants in specific trades or technician roles who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification. This pathway requires at least four years of post-qualification experience, including 18 months in New Zealand paid at or above the median wage.

Other Key Changes

The new policy also includes:

Increased Points: More points are available for New Zealand university-level qualifications, making it easier for graduates to transition to residence.
Reduced Work Experience: The amount of New Zealand work experience required for some pathways is being reduced from a maximum of three years to a maximum of two years.
Wage Requirement: The need for an increased wage rate at the time of application is being removed. Instead, you will only need to maintain the same median wage rate throughout your required period of New Zealand work experience.