You can claim 1 point for each year of skilled work experience you have in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 3 points.
Skilled work requirements
The skilled work experience must be in a full-time job (minimum of 30 hours a week).
There is also a wage threshold depending on the ANZSCO level of your job:
- If your job has an ANZSCO level of 1 to 3 you must earn the median wage or above.
- If your job has an ANZSCO level of 4 to 5 you must earn 1.5 times the median wage or above.
Wage rate requirements for visas
You can claim points for skilled work experience in New Zealand from:
- 3 years during the 5 years before you apply if you are claiming 3 points.
- 2 years during the 4 years before you apply if you are claiming 2 points.
- 1 year during the 2 years before you apply if you are claiming 1 point.
Changes to the median wage
You must meet the wage threshold at the beginning of the skilled work experience period you are claiming points for. If the median wage increases during your skilled work experience period your income does not need to increase, as long as you stay in the same job. If you change jobs you must meet the new wage threshold applicable at that time.
Evidence to include with your application
Include the following evidence with your application:
- your previous and current employment agreements
- the job descriptions for any roles you are claiming points from
- a summary of earnings or tax statement from the Inland Revenue if you are a contractor, that confirms the period of work and any income over that period.
The evidence you provide must show your occupation, hours and pay.
Tips
You can combine points from skilled work experience in New Zealand with points from your qualification, income or New Zealand occupational registration.
The job title and description for your role should mostly match the job title and description in ANZSCO.
If you take an extended period of leave during your skilled work experience period, you may still be able to include this time if it is for parental leave, ACC leave or sick leave.
If you were invited to apply before 9 October 2023 you can use the previous visa criteria, which allowed you to claim points for skilled work experience gained outside of New Zealand. The previous visa criteria also allowed you to claim extra points for work that is on a skills shortage list.
Skilled work experience for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (Pre October 2023)