Immigration New Zealand has announced further details about two New Zealand residence visa pathways that will be available from 24 August 2026.
The new pathways are the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway under the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, often referred to as the SMC Resident Visa.
The changes are intended to make residence available to a broader group of skilled migrants, migrant workers, tradespeople and technicians, and to help employers retain migrant talent in New Zealand.
They recognise that skilled workers may have developed their expertise through practical experience, trades training, or technical qualifications, rather than through income, formal qualifications, or occupational registration alone.
At present, skilled work experience can only be used to help reach the six points required for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC) if a worker does not have enough points from income, qualifications, or occupational registration. The new residence pathways are designed to sit alongside the existing SMC points-based system, and may provide more direct options for some skilled migrants seeking residence in New Zealand.
Skilled Work Experience pathway
The Skilled Work Experience pathway is for migrant workers in a skilled role at ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 who have at least five years of directly relevant experience, including at least two years in New Zealand.
During the New Zealand work experience period, the worker must be earning at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold. Immigration New Zealand is rebranding the median wage terminology, but the threshold operates in the same way for skilled residence applications.
Self-employment does not count towards the relevant work experience requirement.
Applicants will need to show that their work experience is directly relevant to their skilled role, skilled employment, or job offer. Evidence may include employment agreements, payslips and bank statements showing that the work was completed and paid at the required rate. The key issue will be demonstrating how similar work is directly relevant to the role relied on for residence.
If the role is at ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 but appears on the new amber list, the worker must meet the experience requirements and must have been paid at least 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold for the two years of New Zealand work experience. A red list will also apply. Workers in red list roles cannot use the two new residence pathways and would instead need to apply through the existing points-based SMC system.
Trades and Technician pathway
The Trades and Technician pathway is for migrant workers in specified trades and technician occupations at ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3. This pathway may be relevant for employers, accredited employers, tradespeople, technicians and skilled workers in industries such as construction, engineering, automotive, electrical work and other technical roles.
To qualify, the worker must hold a level 4 or higher qualification and have relevant post-qualification experience in the same role, or in a role that is substantially consistent with the level 4 qualification obtained.
The required work experience can include work undertaken overseas, but workers must be able to prove it through documentation and, where required, interviews with Immigration New Zealand.
The worker must also have completed 1.5 years of New Zealand work experience at the SMC wage threshold before relying on this pathway for residence.
What this means for migrants and employers
While further changes have also been announced, the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway are the most substantial.
Together, they may provide new residence options for experienced workers, skilled migrants, tradespeople and technicians who have not been able to qualify under the existing points-based system.
Migrants and employers should review the role, wage threshold, experience requirements, job description, employment agreement, pay records, and any amber or red list restrictions when considering how to keep migrant talent in the long term.
Need immigration or employment law advice? If you are an employer assessing how these New Zealand immigration changes may affect your workforce, or a migrant worker considering whether you may qualify for one of the new Skilled Migrant Category residence pathways, speak with an immigration lawyer, employment lawyer, or workplace lawyer for tailored advice before making decisions or lodging a residence visa application. The team at Copeland McAllister is happy to help. Phone 03 211 0153 or email admin@cmalaw.co.nz.
Disclaimer: This update provides commentary on employment law, health and safety and immigration topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.