PUBLISHED:
06-Mar-2026
New Zealand: Launch of Two New Skilled Residence Pathways
Immigration New Zealand will officially launch **two entirely separate work-experience-based pathways** under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa framework starting 24 August 2026. These routes sit outside the standard Points-based system to reward direct, targeted vocational and professional work history.
1. Skilled Work Experience Pathway
Tailored explicitly for professionals engaged in skilled, mid-to-high level occupational tasks.
- Occupation Level: Active roles mapped to ANZSCO Skill Levels 1, 2, or 3.
- Experience Duration: Requires a cumulative minimum of 5 years of directly relevant work experience acquired within the previous 10-year block.
- Onshore Obligation: At least 2 years of the 5-year requirement must be explicitly completed within New Zealand.
- Wage Standard: Remuneration must sit at or above **1.1 times the standard SMC wage threshold** (median wage).
2. Trades and Technician Pathway
Structured to assist employers in securing critical infrastructure, technical, and trade-focused personnel.
- Qualifications Needed: Applicants must hold a relevant vocational or trade qualification registered at Level 4 or higher on the NZQCF framework. Overseas variants no longer face a strict 120-credit limit, though local NZ trade courses require at least 120 credits.
- Experience Duration: 4 years of total post-qualification relevant experience within the preceding 10 years.
- Onshore Obligation: At least 18 months must be clocked working onshore inside New Zealand.
- Wage Standard: Remuneration must meet or exceed the standard baseline SMC wage threshold.
Crucial Note: Self-employment records cannot be calculated or put forward to satisfy the experience benchmarks under either of these two newly introduced pathways.