Residence: Skilled Migrant Category and Green List

What changed in August 2026

From 24 August 2026:

• Two new pathways sit beside the 6-point system: the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway.
• Your wage threshold is locked in. Most applicants now only need to meet the SMC wage threshold in effect when they started their skilled work experience, not a higher rate when they apply for residence.
• Red and Amber lists. Red List occupations can't use the Skilled Work Experience pathway, and Amber List occupations have higher requirements.
• Work to Residence applicants can also use the wage rate that applied when their work visa was granted, if they start earning it within 5 months of approval.

The three SMC pathways

Trades and technician examples INZ gives include construction, engineering, manufacturing, automotive trades and technical support. Check the eligible occupation list and current wage thresholds on INZ before you rely on them.

The 6-point pathway

You need 6 points. You claim points from one skill category, and you can add New Zealand skilled work experience on top. You can't mix qualification points with income points.

• Qualifications: a PhD, a qualifying New Zealand master's degree, or a bachelor's degree combined with New Zealand skilled work experience can reach 6 points.
• Occupational registration: registration that needed at least 2 years of training or experience.
• Income: pay of at least 1.5 times the SMC wage threshold.
• New Zealand skilled work experience: must be paid at least the SMC wage threshold (higher if you also claim income points).

Requirements for every pathway

• A job or job offer in New Zealand with an accredited employer
• Pay at the required rate
• Good health and a police character check
• Ability to speak and understand English
• Partners and dependent children may also need to meet health, character and English requirements. Children must be 24 or younger to be included.

How applying works

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)You tell INZ about your job, pay, qualifications and experience.
2. Get invited to applyIf your EOI shows you meet the requirements, INZ may invite you.
3. Apply for residenceProvide full evidence of everything you claimed in your EOI.

Green List

The Green List names hard-to-fill jobs that give a faster route to residence. Each role has its own qualification, registration and pay requirements.

Check your role on INZ's Green List roles page.

Common mistakes

• Using an old points calculator built for the rules before 24 August 2026.
• Counting self-employment as experience on the new pathways. It doesn't count.
• Claiming experience without third-party evidence such as payslips, tax records and employer letters.
• Taking a pay cut that drops you below your threshold while you build experience.