Further detail on Skilled Migrant Category changes released

Immigration New Zealand has released further details on the Skilled Migrant Category changes that will take effect from late August 2026.

The update confirms key occupation lists, simplified median wage settings, clarified qualification requirements, extended the validity of English language tests for some applicants, a new recognised occupational registration for accountants, and a future ability to extend an Accredited Employer Work Visa to complete skilled work experience requirements.

Trades and Technician pathway confirmed

The list of eligible occupations for the Trades and Technician residence pathway has now been confirmed.

This pathway is for migrants who are:

• working in specified skill level 1 to 3 trades and technician occupations
• who hold a relevant Level 4 or above qualification
• who have at least 4 years of directly relevant experience gained post qualification, including 1.5 years in New Zealand earning at least the SMC median wage

Red and Amber list details

As part of the September 2025 announcement of new residence pathways, the red and amber lists have also been confirmed.

Occupations on the red list are not eligible for the 2 new rsidence pathways. People working in these occupations will only be able to apply for residence under the SMC if they can claim 6 points under an existing pathway. For example, migrants must either earn at least 1.5 times the SMC median wage, or hold a Bachelor’s Level 7 qualification or higher, or hold a recognised occupational registration and have the required length of skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Occupations on the amber list are eligible for the new Skilled Work Experience pathway, but must meet additional eligibility requirements:

• at least 5 years of relevant eligible work experience in New Zealand, including
• 2 years of skilled work experience earning at least 1.2 times the SMC median wage

Migrants working in occupations that are not on the red or amber lists must meet the standard SMC requirements for their pathway. For example, migrants applying under the Skilled Work Experience pathway must:

• be working in a skilled role, ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3
• have at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience, including 2 years in New Zealand earning at least 1.1 times the SMC median wage

Red and amber lists were determined using evidence of historic immigration risk, including indicators of role inflation and immigration fraud, and that the lists will be reviewed regularly.

Red and amber list occupations

Further updates to the SMC

Changes applying across the Skilled Migrant Category from late August 2026 include:

• Qualification points: applicants claiming points for a Level 8 or Level 9 qualification must also hold a bachelor’s degree, except for applicants claiming 5 points for a New Zealand master’s degree. Applicants claiming 6 points for a New Zealand master’s degree must have studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand and must also hold a bachelor’s degree
• Wage assessment settings: migrants will only need to meet the SMC median wage for their pathway that applied when they started gaining skilled work experience, and maintain at least that rate when applying for residence. They will no longer need to meet a higher wage threshold at the time they apply. A grace period will also apply if a migrant begins skilled work experience within 5 months of their work visa being granted
• English language test validity: from late August 2026, English language test results will be valid for 5 years for applicants who hold a recognised occupational registration
• New recognised registration for accountants: from late August 2026, accountants who can undertake the work of a Qualified Statutory Accountant in New Zealand and who have membership with Certified Practising Accountants Australia will be eligible under the SMC pathway

Additional pathway support from 2027

Migrants who need up to 12 additional months of skilled work experience to meet SMC requirements will be able to apply to extend their Accredited Employer Work Visa to complete the skilled work experience they need to apply for residence. This is scheduled to be introduced in 2027.