Skilled work experience for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (pre October 2023)

If you claimed points for your work experience in your expression of interest (EOI) for a skilled migrant visa, you need to show that you have that experience when you apply. The information on this page applies for people who received an invitation to apply (ITA) before 9 October 2023.

Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa re-opened with new criteria on 9 October 2023. Under the new criteria you cannot claim points for skilled work experience gained outside of New Zealand.

The following requirements only apply if you claimed points for skilled employment as part of an expression of interest (EOI) that was submitted before 16 August 2023.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

We recognise skilled work experience in 2 ways

Your work experience can be in:

You need to show that you had the relevant qualification before you started that work experience.

Check the ANZSCO list to find the job that best matches the work experience you are claiming points for.

Check the ANZSCO list

Work experience in an occupation at skill level 1, 2 or 3 on the ANZSCO list

The work you did must:

  • mostly match the ANZSCO description for that occupation, and
  • have been started after you completed the ANZSCO qualification or work experience needed for that occupation.

If you do not have the qualification listed in ANZSCO for your occupation

 If you do not have the relevant recognised qualification listed in the ANZSCO, you can substitute the qualification with relevant work experience. Check your occupation in ANZSCO to find out how many years of relevant work experience you need to replace the qualification.

If your occupation is skill level 1

You can substitute 5 years of relevant work experience for the ANZSCO qualification — even if the ANZSCO does not state this.

If you do not qualify for points for skilled employment

The work you did must also have been gained in:

Long Term Skill Shortage List

If the work was in a comparable labour market, you must have been a citizen or permanent resident of the country you did the work in, or been legally allowed to work in that country.

Work experience not in an ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 occupation

The work you did must have been in the same occupation you are claiming skilled employment points for. This applies to work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 occupation that is treated as an exception.

You must qualify for the skilled employment points and have met one of these requirements:

  • You completed a relevant recognised qualification at or above an NZQF level 4 Certificate.
  • You completed a relevant recognised NZQF level 3 qualification on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.
  • You completed 3 years of relevant work experience.
  • You met the requirements for that occupation if the occupation is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
  • You held registration for the job — if the job needs registration in New Zealand.

List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

Long Term Skill Shortage List

Occupational registration