SR3.10 Summary of requirements

1. To be granted a resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category, all applicants must:
   1. meet health and character requirements for residence (see A4 and A5); and
   2. meet the applicable minimum standard of English or, where instructions allow, pre-purchase English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) tuition (see SR2.10).
2. In addition, the principal applicant must:
   1. be aged 55 or younger at the time the residence application is made; and
   2. meet the skilled employment, pathway and skilled work experience requirements (as set out at (c) below) for one of the following Skilled Migrant Category pathways:
      • Points-based pathway (column A); or
      • Skilled Work Experience pathway (Column B); or
      • Trades and Technician pathway (Column C).
3. Overview of each pathway:

   		Column A Points-based pathway SR3.25 6 points must be obtained from a skill category, or a combination of one skill category and skilled work experience in New Zealand.	Column B Skilled Work Experience pathway SR3.35	Column C Trades and Technician pathway SR3.40
   i.	Skilled employment requirements	Skilled employment must be (SR3.25.1): in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and paid the SMC wage threshold; or in an ANZSCO 4-5 role, or in a role not included in ANZSCO; and paid 1.5 times the SMC wage threshold	Skilled employment must be (SR3.35.1): in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and either paid 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold; or paid 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold for occupations on the Amber List.	Skilled employment must be (SR3.40.1): in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and in an occupation listed in the Trades and Technician occupation List (Appendix 23); and paid the SMC wage threshold.
   ii.	Pathway requirements	Principal applicants must have 3-6 points from one of the following skill categories: Income (SR3.25.10):3-6 points based on SMC wage threshold met; or Qualification (SR3.25.15): 3-6 points based on level and type of qualification on the NZQCF; or New Zealand registration (SR3.25.20): 3-6 points from a recognised NZ registration, licensing or certification.	Principal applicants must have: 3 years of directly relevant work experience (SR3.35.5.1) in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; or 3 years of directly relevant work experience (SR3.35.5.1) in New Zealand, in an ANZSCO 1-3 role for occupations on the Amber List.	Principal applicants must have: a level 4 (or higher) qualification (SR3.40.5) relevant to the skilled employment occupation; and 2 years and 6 months of directly relevant work experience (SR3.40.10.1), in an ANZSCO 1-3 role, completed post qualification.
   iii.	Skilled work experience in New Zealand requirements	Any skilled work experience in New Zealand must be paid at or above either: the SMC wage threshold (for ANZSCO 1-3 roles); or 1.5 times the SMC wage threshold (for ANZSCO 4-5 roles or roles not included in ANZSCO); or the wage required by SR3.25.10 if claiming points for income for: 2 years in the last 4 years (3 points); or 18 months in the last 3 years (2 points); or 1 year in the last 2 years (1 point).	Principal applicants must have 2 years of additional directly relevant skilled work experience in New Zealand (SR3.35.5.5): in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and either paid 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold; or paid 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold if the occupation is on the Amber List. Note: This must be in addition to the 3 years of relevant work experience. Combined, the work experience must total at least 5 years.	Principal applicants must have 18 months of additional directly relevant skilled work experience in New Zealand (SR3.40.10.5): in an ANZSCO 1-3 role; and paid the SMC wage threshold; and completed post level 4 qualification. Note: This must be in addition to the 2 years and 6 months of relevant work experience. Combined, the work experience must total at least 4 years.

4. Principal applicants applying via the Skilled Work Experience pathway, with skilled employment in an occupation listed in Appendix 21 (the Amber List) must meet the Amber List requirements.
5. Principal applicants with skilled employment in an occupation listed in Appendix 22 (the Red List) may only apply via the Points-based pathway.
6. Principal applicants must meet the SMC wage threshold (including any multiplier that applies to their chosen pathway and occupation) in effect at the time:
   1. they began to accrue the skilled work experience in New Zealand that counts towards meeting their pathway requirements at SR3.10(c); or
   2. they were invited to apply for residence (if no skilled work experience is required); or
   3. their work visa was granted, if it was granted in the five months before the applicant began to accrue their skilled work experience in New Zealand that counts towards meeting the requirements at SR3.10(c)(iii).

      Example #1:

      • An applicant applying via the Skilled Work Experience pathway (whose occupation is not on the Amber List).

      • They need 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand, paid at 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold accrued in the 4 years prior to applying for their resident visa.

      • They began their skilled work experience in New Zealand on 10 August 2023, in a role paying $33 per hour when the SMC wage threshold was $32.62.

      • They must be paid more than $32.62 for both their skilled employment and skilled work experience in New Zealand, as long as they are invited to apply before 10 August 2027.

      Example #2:

      • An applicant is applying via the Points-based pathway and in an ANZSCO 1-3 role.

      • They need 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand, paid at the SMC wage threshold accrued in the 4 years prior to applying for their resident visa.

      • They had their work visa approved on 14 January 2023, when the SMC wage threshold was $27.76.

      • They began their skilled work experience on 13 June 2023 in a role paying $28.00 per hour when the SMC wage threshold had increased to $29.66.

      • However, as less than five months had passed between the date of visa approval and the commencement of their skilled employment, they are considered to meet the SMC wage threshold as long as they maintain at or above the wage threshold in effect on 14 January 2023 and as long as they are invited to apply before 13 June 2027.

7. Despite (f), applicants claiming 6 points from one skill category and with skilled employment that is a contract for services must meet the wage threshold (including any multipliers) (SR3.10.5.1):
   1. in effect at the time they began their skilled work experience in New Zealand that counts towards their experience as a contractor; and
   2. the wage threshold in effect at the time they are invited to apply for residence for their skilled employment
8. An applicant may be considered to meet the SMC wage threshold relevant to them if they meet the wage thresholds that were the basis for them being invited to apply for residence.
9. For the purpose of determining whether skilled work experience has been completed within the eligible period, the eligible period is calculated backwards from the date the resident visa application is submitted.

   Example:

   • An applicant is applying via the Skilled work experience pathway, in an occupation that is not on the Amber List.

   • They need 2 years of skilled work experience, paid at 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold, accrued in the 4 years prior to applying for their resident visa.

   • They had their work visa granted on the 14 June 2022 and began their skilled work experience on 14 January 2023, as such the grace period of 5 months does not apply.

   • They submitted their expression of interest 13 January 2027 (within the 4 year skilled work experience window) and submitted their resident visa application on 14 March 2027 (within the 4-month ITA period).

   • At EOI, they were able to use the SMC wage threshold in effect on the date they began to accrue their skilled work experience (going back up to 4 years), in this example they can use the SMC wage threshold in effect on 14 January 2023.

   • However, skilled work experience must be accrued in the 4 years prior to resident visa application so only work experience completed from 14 March 2023 will be counted (as it must be completed within 48 months prior to submitting their residence application on 14 March 2027).

10. Despite R5.7, where the Skilled Migrant Category instructions under SR2 refer to ANZSCO, any assessment must be based on the immigration view of version 1.3 of the ANZSCO.

    Note:

    - The Immigration view of version 1.3 of the ANZSCO provided by Statistics New Zealand is available here: Aria Stats NZ - ANZSCO

SR3.10.1 Available pathways for applicants in Amber, Red and Trade Occupations lists

SR3.10.5 Skilled Migrant Category wage threshold in effect across time

1. The SMC wage threshold in effect for the Skilled Migrant Category across time is

   Date range	SMC wage threshold	1.1 times the SMC wage threshold	1.2 times the SMC wage threshold	1.5 times the SMC wage threshold	2 times the SMC wage threshold	3 times the SMC wage threshold
   24 February 2020 – 18 July 2021	$25.50	$28.05	$30.60	$38.25	$51.00	$76.50
   19 July 2021 – 23 October 2022	$27.00	$29.70	$32.40	$40.50	$54.00	$81
   24 October 2022 – 26 February 2023	$27.76	$30.53	$33.31	$41.64	$55.52	$83.28
   27 February 2023 – 27 February 2024	$29.66	$32.62	$35.59	$44.49	$59.32	$88.98
   28 February 2024 – 17 August 2025	$31.61	$34.77	$37.93	$47.41	$63.22	$94.83
   18 August 2025 – 8 March 2026	$33.56	$36.91	$40.27	$50.34	$67.12	$100.68
   9 March 2026 onwards	$35.00	$38.50	$42.00	$52.50	$70	$105.00

SR3.10.10 Evidence

1. An immigration officer may consider evidence and information provided in previous visa applications and submissions to Immigration New Zealand to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for a Skilled Migrant Category visa for the pathway they were invited to apply under.
2. In cases where any relevant details have changed since an applicant’s most recent visa application, the applicant must include information and evidence of these changes (for example, their remuneration has changed, and they are relying on work in New Zealand in a role paid at least twice the SMC wage threshold).
3. Where an immigration officer is not satisfied that sufficient information has been provided, further evidence may be requested (for example, full bank statements showing salary payment, or payslips).

Effective 24/08/2026