New Skilled Migrant Category pathways announced for 2026
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The Government has announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa that will give more options to migrants and more certainty for employers. Two new residence pathways will open in August 2026, alongside adjustments to the points system and work-experience settings. These changes are part of the Government’s Going for Growth programme.
The two new residence pathways explained
From August 2026, two new residence pathways will be introduced:
- Skilled Work Experience Pathway
For migrants in skilled roles (ANZSCO skill levels 1 to 3) with at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience, including 2 years in New Zealand paid at least 1.1 times the median wage. - For migrants in specified trades or technician roles who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification and have at least 4 years of post-qualification experience, including 18 months in New Zealand paid at or above the median wage.
Other settings Immigration NZ has signalled:
- Increased points for New Zealand university-level qualifications to make it easier for graduates to transition to residence.
- A modest reduction in the New Zealand work-experience requirement for most current pathways (from a maximum of 3 years to a maximum of 2 years).
- Removal of the requirement to have an increased wage rate at the time of applying for residence. Migrants will need to maintain at least the median wage throughout their required period of New Zealand work experience.
- Additional eligibility criteria will apply to some occupations to manage immigration risk and keep the pathways targeted.
- Detailed policy instructions will be released closer to commencement.
- Applicants claiming points for a postgraduate qualification must also hold an undergraduate degree.
- Red and Amber Lists will apply:
- Red List: occupations excluded from the new pathways.
- Amber List: occupations with extra criteria for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway (and not eligible for the Trades and Technician Pathway).
Who the new SMC pathways affect
- Visa applicants considering SMC residence.
- Employers relying on skilled migrants for long-term roles.
- International students aiming to leverage New Zealand qualifications for residence.
- HR teams planning workforce needs toward 2026.
What the SMC changes mean for employers and migrants
For employers, the new pathways create clearer options to retain experienced staff in skilled, trades and technical roles, without separate wage-increase hurdles at the residence stage. That’s a practical win for workforce planning.
For migrants, there are defined routes based on strong, directly relevant work experience or trade/technician qualifications. Graduates also benefit from increased points for New Zealand university-level study. It’s a step in the right direction if you’re looking at long-term settlement.
The changes will only apply from August 2026. Until then, current Skilled Migrant Category rules remain in force. Employers should also be aware that migrants will need to maintain wage consistency during their required New Zealand work experience, rather than meeting a higher threshold only at the time of application.
What employers and migrants should do to prepare now
- Employers: begin workforce planning toward August 2026. Identify roles that could align with the new pathways and ensure records on experience, wage levels and role classifications are accurate.
- Migrants: seek an eligibility check with a licensed immigration adviser. Consider whether gaining or completing a New Zealand qualification relevant to your role could strengthen your position.
- Our experts recommend treating this announcement as a signal to plan ahead, while avoiding major decisions until detailed immigration instructions are published.
For now, the changes are encouraging. They show a clear intent to value experience and practical skills alongside qualifications. But the details matter, and they’re still to come.
Contact VisaAide if you would like tailored guidance on how these changes could affect your workforce or your own residence pathway.
