Immigration New Zealand has announced significant updates to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) that will take effect in late August 2026. Confirmed on 5 March 2026, these changes introduce new residence pathways for trades and technician workers, clarify which occupations are eligible, and simplify several key application requirements. If you are planning to apply for residence under the SMC — or are already working towards it — here is what you need to know.

Two new residence pathways to open up

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a dedicated Trades and Technician residence pathway, and a new ‘Skilled Work Experience’ pathway in addition to Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).

The Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Red and Amber Lists

The SMC will remain in place, but a new pathway will open up for those who are unable to or do not wish to claim points under SMC.

If you cannot claim 6 points under SMC settings, you can instead nominate work experience and wage levels (as well as your skilled job) instead.

INZ has decided to limit certain ‘high-risk’ occupations by introducing a ‘Red List’ and an ‘Amber List’ that will apply to this Skilled Work Experience pathway.

Below is a table that summarises some of the key differences between SMC and the Skilled Work Experience (SWE) category, based on official announcements so far.

If your occupation is on the Red List, then the SWE pathway is closed off to you. However, if you meet requirements under SMC, you may apply under the 6-point system even if your job is on the Red List.

A New Residence Pathway for Trades and Technician Workers

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a dedicated Trades and Technician residence pathway. This new route is designed for migrants working in specified skill level 1–3 trades or technician roles who hold a Level 4 or higher qualification and have at least four years of relevant, post-qualification work experience — including a minimum of 1.5 years gained in New Zealand.

It is important to note that, based on current announcements, many workers in the specified Trades and Technicians may not be currently eligible, unless they studied a Level 4 or higher qualification four years before today, and have been in New Zealand for at least 1.5 years after finishing the qualification. Obtaining such a qualification today may not immediately qualify you for residence.

If you only recently arrived in New Zealand, you may still have time to accumulate four years’ work experience by getting qualified immediately with a Level 4 qualification – if considering this, please keep in mind that certain restrictions apply to work visa holders studying long courses. There may be options available that would be in-line with your visa conditions, however.

If you have less than 4 years remaining on your AEWV, then you may not be fortunate enough to qualify for residence before your work visa expires, though, even if you get qualified today. Our advice to such unlucky trades and technician workers is to keep an eye open to upcoming announcements, and keep your options open.

There have not been announcements on what English language requirements will be set for such applicants, but up to now INZ has been consistent in requiring an IELTS 6.5 or PTE 58 test score (unless English language proficiency can be proven in a small number of other ways.

Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss possible options, as well as compliance-related issues for work visa holders wishing to study courses in New Zealand. Contacting an Industry Training Organisation (ITO) to discuss qualification options a good idea too, as some providers may offer skills-based assessments that do not require formal study.

Changes specific to SMC

The previous 6-point SMC remains as it is now in most ways. However, there are some important changes to come:

Principal changes include:

1. Extra points for NZ qualifications: Higher points for certain Level 8 and 9 qualifications earned in New Zealand if the degree-holder also has an underlying bachelors degree
   1. The underlying Bachelors degree does not need to have been studied in New Zealand. However, foreign qualifications will likely require an NZQA-assessed International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) unless the qualification is on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA).
   2. There will be a 30-week minimum ‘time studied in NZ’ requirement to claim the extra point, similar to PSWV eligibility criteria. If you studied your entire degree in New Zealand, this is unlikely to affect you.
   3. Some students may have completed a NZ Level 8 or 9 qualification but not have a Bachelors degree. If so, you can only claim the same number of points as today (eg. 5 points for Masters).
   4. Please note that INZ’s website appears (at the time of writing time) to remain vague on points totals for overseas qualifications. For example:

1. Median wage changes: Migrants whose median wage level was ‘locked in’ at an earlier, lower rate will no longer need to get a pay increase to the current median wage to be eligible.
2. Grace period for median wage increases: Ordinarily, the median wage date is based on when the applicant starts their work, not on when the visa is granted or when the contract is signed. However, if a wage increase occurs <5 months before the applicant has started work, the earlier/lower rate will apply based on the date the visa was granted.
3. Shorter time required to claim 6 points under SMC: Applicants who can already claim 3 points for SMC now only need to work 2 years to get to 6 points (not 3 years). Applicants who can claim 4 points now only need 1.5 years (not 2 years). Applicants who can claim 5 points still need 1 year of SWE.
   1. Note that this has only been discussed in terms of points in addition to qualification, there has been no specific discussion on whether someone claiming 3 points for income or registration would need to work for 2 years or 3 years. However, the situation is likely to be confirmed later on.
4. Deferred to 2027: The ability to extend an AEWV by 12 months if needed to meet SMC?
   1. INZ’s communication on this point has been quite vague so far. The eligibility criteria for this AEWV extension has not been revealed and it is unconfirmed whether this is only for Amber List occupations or if the criteria are wider and cover SMC as well.
   2. Further announcements will be needed to confirm what this means exactly, but we note that this policy change will not be rolled out this year anyway.
5. English test validities for registered professionals: These are increasing from 2 years to 5 years for people holding recognised occupational registration.

Useful links

It’s ALWAYS good to do your own research using reliable primary sources! Remember that information can change quickly, including updates to the INZ website, so it is always a good idea to keep yourself informed by reading official announcements (not just rely on AI and social media).

Here are some useful links for you to find out more:

The most recent INZ article on the announced changes, including the list of occupations on the Amber and Red Lists:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/further-changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-to-come-into-effect-in-august-2026/

An earlier INZ article on the announced changes, including information on points for qualification and SMC work experience changes:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa-announced/

A list of Trades and Technicians workers eligible under that new pathways starting later this year:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/skilled-migrant-category-pathway-to-residence/eligible-roles-for-the-smc-trades-and-technician-pathway-august-2026/