What’s changing in the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)?

The two new SMC residence pathways (from Aug 2026)

1. 1) Skilled Work Experience Pathway

   • For ANZSCO skill level 1–3 roles

   • 5+ years directly relevant experience, including 2 years in New Zealand

   • NZ period must be paid at or above 1.1× the median wage

   2) Trades & Technician Pathway

   • For specified trades/technician roles (list to be published)

   • Level 4+ qualification (≥120 credits)

   • 4+ years post-qualification experience, including 18 months in New Zealand

   • NZ period must be paid at or above the median wage

• Red list occupations will be excluded from these two pathways (but may still be eligible under other SMC routes, e.g., degree or wage-based).
• Amber list occupations will have additional criteria for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway and will not be eligible for the Trades & Technician Pathway.
(Lists to be published before commencement.)

What stays the same today (before 2026)?

Until the 2026 changes begin, the current SMC applies. Applicants must still have current skilled employment or an offer at the relevant wage rate (30+ hrs/week) and meet the standard residence requirements (e.g., character, health, English). The 6 Skilled Resident Points framework continues to operate for today’s applications.

Points & work-experience — what’s being adjusted?

INZ’s policy update indicates reduced NZ work-experience durations for several point combinations and confirms the wage-assessment timing change (maintained through the NZ period, not re-tested at residence). Below are the highlights

• Increased points for New Zealand university-level qualifications.

• Reduced NZ work-experience durations across several combinations (e.g., some routes moving from 3 years to 2 years, or to 1–1.5 years depending on qualification or income tiers).

• Wage assessment change: the relevant wage must be maintained during the NZ work-experience period; there is no separate higher-wage re-test at residence application.

How to prepare (migrants)

If you may fit the Skilled Work Experience Pathway

• Add up experience: Confirm 5+ years directly relevant, incl. 2 years in NZ at ≥1.1× median

• Keep evidence: contracts, job descriptions, payslips, IRD summaries, references

• Match ANZSCO: duties align with a skill-level 1–3 role

• Maintain wage: ensure the NZ period consistently meets the required rate

If you may fit the Trades & Technician Pathway

• Qualification: Level 4+ (≥120 credits)

• Experience: 4+ years post-qualification, incl. 18 months in NZ at ≥ median

• Watch for the list: confirm your role is on the specified trades/technicians list when published

Applying before 2026?

• Proceed under the current SMC and ensure your points and wage evidence meet today’s settings.

Guidance for employers

• Stay accredited (AEWV) and keep accurate ANZSCO-aligned job descriptions

• Retention planning: map valued staff to the 2026 pathways and timelines

• Evidence discipline: offer letters and payslips should consistently reflect the required rates throughout the NZ work-experience period

FAQs

1. Can I apply for the new pathways now?

No — the two new pathways start in August 2026.

2. Do I still need 6 points?

Yes — the current 6-point system remains in place until the new settings begin.

3. What wage must I meet?

For the NZ work-experience period you’re relying on, you must maintain the relevant median-linked wage (e.g., 1.1× median for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway; ≥ median for the Trades & Technician Pathway).

Sources & Further Reading

• INZ News Centre — Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (timing, wage-assessment change). Immigration New Zealand

• INZ — Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (current rules & points). Immigration New Zealand

• INZ — Pay rates for the SMC Resident Visa (median-linked thresholds). Immigration New Zealand

• NZ Government (Beehive) — New residence options to bolster workforce (policy summary & criteria headlines). Beehive

Get in touch with the team at Sharma Law

Get clarity on your best residence route before August 2026.
Sharma Law will assess your points & pay-rate, confirm your best pathway (current SMC vs 2026 routes), and assemble precise evidence to avoid delays.
Book a consultation with Sharma Law today.