SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY (SMC) RESIDENT VISA

SMC Resident Visa Requirements

To qualify for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa under the 6-point system, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

Age Limit: Be aged 55 years or younger at the time of applying.
Accredited Employment: Hold current skilled employment or a valid job offer from an INZ Accredited Employer in New Zealand.
Wage Threshold: The job or offer must meet the required wage threshold (at or above median wage, or 1.5x median wage depending on the skill tier).
6-Points Criteria: Claim at least six (6) points through a combination of skill factors (NZ Qualification, High Income, or Professional Registration) combined with NZ skilled work experience.
Health, Character & English: Satisfy standard INZ health checks, police clearances, and English language proficiency requirements.
EOI Invitation: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an official Invitation to Apply (ITA).

The SMC pathway follows a clear multi-step process from points assessment to resident visa grant:

Points Assessment: Verify that you reach the required 6 points based on qualifications, registration, income, or NZ work experience.
Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an electronic EOI outlining your points claim and employment details to INZ.
Invitation to Apply (ITA): Upon selection, receive an official ITA from INZ to lodge your formal residence application.
Documentation & Decision: Submit full evidence of employment, pay records, qualifications, and police clearances for processing.

Government fees for the Skilled Migrant Category application vary based on applicant location:

INZ Government Fee: Starting from approximately $6,450 NZD (includes immigration levies and IVL).
Additional Costs: Medical reports, police certificates, NZQA qualification evaluations, and English language tests.

*INZ fees are subject to change. Contact our licensed adviser for an exact fee breakdown.

Immigration New Zealand processes decision-ready SMC applications under prioritized streams:

Average Timeframe: Most decision outcomes are completed within 4 to 8 months following ITA submission.
Common Delays: Verification of work experience, third-party medical checks, or missing pay/tax evidence.

Submitting a fully verified, decision-ready application helps minimize processing delays.