Major Changes to New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category Coming in August 2026

Immigration New Zealand has announced further updates to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) that will take effect from late August 2026. These changes aim to simplify the residence pathway for skilled workers, address immigration risks, and ensure New Zealand continues attracting talent needed for long-term economic growth.

For migrants and employers, these changes introduce new pathways, updated occupation lists, revised qualification rules, and wage policy improvements.

Below is a breakdown of the key changes.

New Trades and Technician Residence Pathway

A new Trades and Technician pathway has been confirmed under the Skilled Migrant Category.

This pathway is designed for migrants working in ANZSCO Skill Level 1–3 trade and technician occupations.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Hold a relevant Level 4 qualification or higher

• Have at least 4 years of relevant post-qualification experience

• Have worked at least 1.5 years in New Zealand

• Earn at least the SMC median wage

This pathway recognises that many highly skilled trade workers previously had limited access to residence pathways, despite contributing significantly to New Zealand’s labour market.

By lowering barriers and recognising appropriate qualifications, the government hopes to attract and retain skilled tradespeople.

Introduction of Red and Amber Occupation Lists

A major structural change is the introduction of Red and Amber occupation lists, which aim to manage immigration risks and ensure the Skilled Migrant Category remains focused on genuine skill shortages.

Red List Occupations

Workers in Red List occupations will NOT be eligible for the new residence pathways.

They can only apply through the traditional SMC pathway if they meet one of the following:

• Earn 1.5 times the SMC median wage

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher

• Hold recognised occupational registration

• Meet required skilled work experience criteria

Examples of Red List occupations include:

• Retail Manager

• Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager NEC

• Beauty Therapist

• Massage Therapist

• Hairdresser

• Hair and Beauty Salon Manager

Amber List Occupations

Workers in Amber List occupations can apply under the new Skilled Work Experience pathway, but they must meet stricter work experience requirements.

Requirements include:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in New Zealand

• 2 years earning at least 1.2 times the SMC median wage

Examples of Amber List occupations include:

• Hotel or Motel Manager

• Accommodation and Hospitality Manager

• Café or Restaurant Manager

• Baker

• Pastrycook

• Chef

• Office Manager

• ICT Support Technician

• Web Administrator

These lists will be regularly reviewed to reflect labour market conditions and immigration risk indicators.

Skilled Work Experience Pathway

Migrants whose occupations are not on the Red or Amber lists must meet the standard Skilled Migrant Category criteria.

Key requirements include:

• Working in a skilled ANZSCO Level 1–3 occupation

• Having at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience

• Completing 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand

• Earning at least 1.1 times the SMC median wage

AEWV Extension Option Coming in 2027

A helpful future change is the introduction of an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) extension option.

From 2027, migrants who need additional time to complete their required skilled work experience may be able to extend their AEWV by up to 12 months.

This will help migrants who are close to meeting residence eligibility requirements.

Changes to Qualification Points

From August 2026, the government will adjust how qualification points are awarded.

Key changes include:

• Qualifications completed in New Zealand will receive one additional point compared with equivalent overseas qualifications.

• Applicants claiming points for Level 8 or Level 9 qualifications must also hold a Bachelor’s degree (with limited exceptions).

• Applicants claiming 6 points for a New Zealand Master’s degree must:

  • Study full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand

  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree.

Applicants must also provide:

• Their qualification certificate

• An International Qualification Assessment (IQA) if their qualification is from overseas and not on the exemption list.

Simplified Wage Requirements

Two important changes simplify wage requirements:

• Wage threshold locked when work begins - Migrants only need to meet the SMC median wage in effect when they begin their skilled work experience, and maintain that wage level when applying for residence. They will not be required to meet future increases in the median wage.

• 5-month grace period - If the median wage increases after a migrant’s work visa is granted, the previous wage threshold will still apply if the migrant begins work within 5 months of the visa being issued.

English Test Validity Extended

English language test results will now remain valid for five years for applicants who hold recognised occupational registration.

This change reduces the need for applicants to retake language tests unnecessarily.

New Registration Pathway for Accountants

From August 2026, accountants with membership in Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia who can work as Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand will be eligible under the Skilled Migrant Category pathway.

What These Changes Mean for Migrants

These updates represent one of the largest refinements to the Skilled Migrant Category in recent years.

Overall, the changes aim to:

• Create clearer residence pathways

• Recognize New Zealand qualifications

• Retain skilled trades workers

• Reduce immigration fraud risks

• Simplify wage and qualification requirements

For migrants planning their long-term future in New Zealand, it is essential to review how these changes may affect eligibility for residence.