Zenith Immigration Solutions

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Further detail on Skilled Migrant Category changes released

Last year, the Government announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) to introduce 2 new pathways – the Skilled Work Experience Pathway and the Trades and Technician Pathway – increased points for New Zealand qualifications, and reduced New Zealand skilled work experience required under the Points-based pathway. These changes will come into effect in late August 2026.

Further details about these changes have been released today, including 3 important lists:

- The Trades and Technician Pathway list – Migrants working in these occupations qualify for this
pathway if they have a relevant Level 4 or above qualification, and 4 years of directly relevant skilled
work experience gained post-qualification, including 1.5 years in New Zealand at the SMC median wage.

- The Amber list – Migrants working in these occupations are not eligible for the Trades and Technician
Pathway and can only apply for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway if they have at least 5 years of
relevant work experience in New Zealand, including 2 years of skilled work experience earning at least
1.2 times the SMC median wage.

- The Red list – Migrants working in these occupations cannot use these new pathways. They will only
be able to apply for residence under the SMC if they can claim 6 points under the existing pathway.
This may be achieved by earning at least 1.5 times the SMC median wage, holding a bachelor’s
Level 7 qualification or higher, or having a recognised occupational registration. They must also meet
the required skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Changes have also been confirmed that will apply to all SMC pathways from late August 2026, including:

- Median wage requirements simplified: Migrants applying based on their work experience will not need
to meet the latest SMC median wage when they apply for residence. Instead, they must meet the SMC
median wage rate (or the rate for their pathway) in effect at the time they began to gain their New
Zealand skilled work experience.

- Grace period for some median wage calculations: If a migrant begins skilled work experience
within 5 months of their work visa being granted, the wage threshold that applied on the day the visa
was granted will be used, even if the median wage has increased in the meantime.

- Clarification of qualification requirements: Migrants claiming points for Level 8 or 9 qualifications
must also hold a bachelor’s degree (which can be gained in any country). Applicants claiming 5 points
for a New Zealand Level 9 master’s degree are exempted from this requirement (though must hold
a bachelor’s degree if they are claiming 6 points for a New Zealand master’s degree).

- Longer English test validity for some migrants: English language test results will be valid for 5 years
for applicants who hold a valid occupational registration.

- New occupational registration recognised: Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand who
have membership with the Certified Practising Accountants Australia will receive 6 points under the SMC.

From 2027, migrants who need up to 12 more months of skilled work experience can apply for a further Accredited Employer Work Visa to complete the skilled work experience they need to apply for residence.