Published: 14 August 2026

New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category is changing on 24 August 2026.

Oops. If you have a draft Expression of Interest, the deadline matters.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has confirmed new residence pathways, revised points rules, updated wage settings, qualification changes, and a new EOI form.

Here are five things to do now.

1. Check which SMC pathway may fit you

From 24 August 2026, the Skilled Migrant Category NZ system will have three pathways:

Points-based pathway
Skilled Work Experience pathway
Trades and Technician pathway

You must still have an acceptable skilled job or job offer in New Zealand. Other standard requirements also continue to apply.

The Points-based pathway

The existing pathway remains available.

You generally need to reach 6 points through a combination of:

Income.
Occupational registration.
Qualifications.
Skilled work experience in New Zealand.

The points settings will change.

New Zealand qualifications receive stronger recognition. Overseas bachelor’s degrees will receive 4 points instead of 3. New Zealand bachelor’s degrees will receive 5 points.

The updated qualification points include:

Qualification	Points from 24 August 2026
Doctoral degree	6
New Zealand master’s degree with 30 weeks of full-time study and a bachelor’s degree	6
Other New Zealand master’s degree	5
Overseas master’s degree, with a bachelor’s degree	5
New Zealand honours degree, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate	5
New Zealand bachelor’s degree	5
Overseas honours degree, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate, with a bachelor’s degree	4
Overseas bachelor’s degree	4

You may also need less New Zealand work experience to claim additional points. From 24 August, two years of New Zealand work experience can provide 3 points. One and a half years can provide 2 points.

The Skilled Work Experience pathway

This is a new option.

It is designed for people with substantial relevant experience.

The confirmed requirements include:

A current job or job offer in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupation.
Pay of at least 1.1 times the SMC median wage.
At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
An additional 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand.
The New Zealand work must meet the required wage level.

The 3 years of relevant experience must generally fall within the 10 years before you apply.

The 2 years of New Zealand skilled work must generally fall within the 4 years before you apply.

Self-employment cannot be used as directly relevant work experience under this pathway.

The Trades and Technician pathway

This is also new.

It targets specified trades and technician occupations.

The confirmed requirements include:

An eligible occupation from INZ’s Trades and Technician list.
Pay of at least the SMC median wage.
A relevant Level 4 or higher qualification.
At least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience.
An additional 1.5 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand.
The New Zealand work must meet the applicable wage threshold.

The 2.5 years and 1.5 years are separate requirements.

Check the official Trades and Technician occupation list.

2. Check the red and amber occupation lists

The new Skilled Work Experience pathway has occupation list restrictions.

Amber list occupations

Applicants in these occupations must meet the higher 1.2 times the SMC median wage requirement:

Accommodation and Hospitality Manager nec : ANZSCO 141999
Hotel or Motel Manager : ANZSCO 141311
Hotel Service Manager : ANZSCO 431411
Baker : ANZSCO 351111
Bed and Breakfast Operator : ANZSCO 141911
Café or Restaurant Manager : ANZSCO 141111
Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager : ANZSCO 141211
Chef : ANZSCO 351311
Customer Service Manager : ANZSCO 149212
ICT Customer Support Officer : ANZSCO 313112
ICT Support Technicians nec : ANZSCO 313199
Office Manager : ANZSCO 512111
Pastrycook : ANZSCO 351112
Web Administrator : ANZSCO 313113

You must also meet the relevant work experience requirements.

Red list occupations

These occupations cannot use the new Skilled Work Experience pathway:

Beauty Therapist : ANZSCO 451111
Hair or Beauty Salon Manager : ANZSCO 142114
Hairdresser : ANZSCO 391111
Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec : ANZSCO 149999
Massage Therapist : ANZSCO 411611
Retail Manager (General) : ANZSCO 142111

A red-list occupation may still have another potential immigration option. Do not assume that the list decides every New Zealand residency pathway.

Check the occupation, duties, ANZSCO level, pay, and visa conditions together.

3. Review your wage history and the grace period

The wage rules are changing.

From 24 August 2026, most applicants will generally need to meet the SMC wage threshold that applied when they started counting their skilled work experience.

You will not usually need to meet a higher threshold at the time you are invited to apply.

This may provide more certainty when the median wage increases.

For the new pathways, INZ has published these rates for work experience that began from 9 March 2026:

Pathway or occupation type	Hourly threshold
Trades and Technician pathway	NZD $35.00
Standard Skilled Work Experience pathway	NZD $38.50
Amber List occupation	NZD $42.00

These rates are based on the SMC median wage settings published by INZ.

If you change employers, you will generally not need to meet a higher threshold. An exception may apply under the Points-based pathway if you move from an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 role to a skill level 4–5 role.

The five-month grace period

A new grace rule will apply.

It may protect you where:

Your work visa has been granted.
The wage threshold increases before you start work.
You start your skilled work within 5 months of the visa grant.
The work falls within the eligible timeframe for your pathway.

In that situation, the threshold applying on the visa grant date may be used.

Keep your:

Visa grant letter.
Employment agreement.
Payslips.
Tax records.
Start-date evidence.
Employer correspondence.

If your pathway does not require skilled work experience, different timing rules may apply. For example, the relevant threshold may be the one in effect when you submit your EOI or receive an invitation.

Always verify the rate that applies to your exact pathway.

4. Check qualifications, NZQA and English evidence

Qualification evidence will matter.

For the Trades and Technician pathway, a New Zealand qualification must generally be:

Level 4 or higher.
Recognised on the NZQCF.
At least 120 credits.

The 120-credit requirement may be met through more than one New Zealand qualification where a lower qualification was a prerequisite for a higher one.

Credits awarded through recognition of prior learning do not count towards the 120-credit requirement.

For an overseas qualification:

The qualification must be Level 4 or higher.
You will generally need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA.
The 120-credit requirement does not apply in the same way to relevant overseas qualifications.

You should review INZ’s IQA guidance.

For Points-based pathway applications, an IQA is generally required for overseas qualifications unless the qualification appears on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.

There are also supporting qualification rules.

If you claim points for a Level 8 or Level 9 qualification, you may need a supporting bachelor’s degree. Evidence can include:

The bachelor’s degree certificate.
The academic transcript.

For a New Zealand qualification, provide the qualification certificate. A transcript may also be needed for the relevant study requirement.

English-test validity

From 24 August 2026, English test results may be valid for 5 years instead of 2 years where the applicant has an eligible occupational registration.

This can also apply to a partner included in the SMC application if the partner holds an eligible occupational registration.

The occupational registration must qualify under INZ’s rules. Do not assume every registration qualifies.

A new accountant registration category is also being added. It may allow eligible CPA Australia members who can undertake the work of a Qualified Statutory Accountant in New Zealand to claim occupational registration points.

5. Act on your EOI before 24 August

This is the urgent step.

INZ has confirmed that unsubmitted draft EOIs will expire on 24 August 2026.

They will be deleted.

If you want to submit an EOI under the current rules, submit it before 24 August. Do not leave it in draft status.

From 24 August, INZ will introduce a new SMC EOI form.

If your draft is deleted, you must start again using the new form. Your information will not simply carry across.

Before submitting, review:

Your selected pathway.
Your occupation and ANZSCO skill level.
Your job offer.
Your wage rate.
Your qualification level.
Your IQA or exemption position.
Your occupational registration.
Your English evidence.
Your New Zealand work experience.
Your overseas work evidence.
Your family details.

INZ has confirmed the broad change. The exact questions and prompts should be checked when the new form becomes available.

Save copies of your current information. Keep evidence in one folder. Small errors can create large delays. Annoying, but fixable if you prepare early.

Genuine employment still matters

The August changes also clarify genuine employment requirements.

A job offer must be:

Available and ongoing.
Genuine.
Needed to be based in New Zealand.

INZ may assess whether the role is genuine. This applies across skilled residence visas, including the SMC Resident Visa and New Zealand Work to Residence pathways.

Do not rely on a job title alone.

Your duties, employment agreement, pay, workplace, employer, and evidence should align.

Confirmed rules versus advice to verify

The following are confirmed by INZ:

The changes take effect on 24 August 2026.
Two new SMC pathways will be introduced.
Points and qualification settings will change.
Wage-threshold rules will change.
The five-month grace period will apply in eligible cases.
English-test validity will increase to five years for eligible occupational registration holders.
Draft, unsubmitted EOIs will expire and be deleted.
A new EOI form will be available from 24 August.

You should still verify:

Your occupation’s current list status.
Your ANZSCO skill level.
The wage rate for your start date.
Whether your qualification needs an IQA.
Whether your occupational registration is eligible.
Whether your evidence proves the required work experience.
Whether your job is genuine and ongoing.

Rules can change. Personal circumstances differ. Use the official INZ pages for the current position.

Learn More

Need help assessing your skilled migrant visa NZ options?

Speak with a licensed immigration adviser NZ or qualified migration professional before making a decision. Skillage Nimbus can review your occupation, qualifications, wage history, EOI position, and possible New Zealand residency pathways.

Book a migration consultation with Skillage Nimbus

For the official update, read:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main SMC changes in 2026?

From 24 August 2026, INZ will add the Skilled Work Experience pathway and Trades and Technician pathway. The Points-based pathway will also change. Wage, qualification, English-test and EOI rules will be updated.

Can I still submit an EOI under the current rules?

Yes. If you want to be considered under the current rules, INZ says you must submit your EOI before 24 August 2026.

What happens to my draft EOI?

Any unsubmitted draft EOI will expire and be deleted on 24 August 2026. You will need to start again using the new EOI form.

What is the New Zealand Trades and Technician pathway?

It is a new SMC pathway for specified trades and technician occupations. It requires an eligible role, a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification, relevant post-qualification experience, and skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Do all overseas qualifications need an IQA?

Not always. An IQA is generally required for overseas qualifications unless the qualification is exempt under INZ rules. Check the current List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment and your specific pathway.

How long will my English test be valid?

From 24 August 2026, English test results may be valid for 5 years if you hold an eligible occupational registration. The registration must meet INZ’s requirements.

New Zealand SMC Changes on 24 August 2026: 5 Things Skilled Migrants Need to Do Now