New Zealand · Immigration guide

Skilled residence: understanding the pathways

The current Skilled Migrant Category has three pathways: Points-based, Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technician. Green List residence routes sit alongside SMC. The useful first step is choosing the right route to investigate, not assuming every skilled-residence question starts with six points.

Information checked: 27 September 2026 Check the current official source before relying on time-sensitive details

Where to start

There is more than one skilled-residence pathway. Start with your situation, not the points table, then compare the route that matches the job, qualification, registration, income or work experience.

Key points

Points-based pathway

This route needs 6 skilled resident points from one main skill category, with New Zealand skilled work experience added where the current rules allow.

Skilled Work Experience pathway

This route is built around directly relevant work experience, including the required skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Trades and Technician pathway

This route requires an eligible role, a relevant qualification and the required post-qualification work experience.

Other skilled-residence routes

Green List and other residence routes have their own role, qualification, registration, pay and work-experience settings.

Where SMC fits

SMC is one part of New Zealand's skilled-residence system. A person may need to compare it with Straight to Residence, Work to Residence or another current route before deciding which official page is relevant.

How the points pathway works

The points route uses qualification, income or occupational registration as the main skill category. If that category does not provide all 6 points, eligible New Zealand skilled work experience may contribute the remaining points. The main categories are not simply added together.

How the work-experience pathway differs

The Skilled Work Experience pathway recognises directly relevant work experience rather than requiring a formal qualification as the main basis. The current role, occupation classification, pay and timing of relevant and New Zealand skilled work all need checking.

How the trades pathway differs

The Trades and Technician pathway is limited to eligible roles. A relevant qualification and post-qualification work history need to align with the role and current official settings.

Information to organise before comparing routes

A clear comparison uses the exact job and duties, employer accreditation, pay, hours, qualification and assessment details, occupational registration, and complete work-history dates.

Job title, duties, employer, location, hours and pay.
Qualifications, transcripts and NZQA or IQA details where relevant.
Occupational registration and required training.
Relevant overseas and New Zealand work-experience dates.
Current visa, job offer and important application dates.

Why older summaries can mislead

The pathway structure and detailed settings changed in August 2026. Older articles can still sound plausible while describing a previous points system, wage treatment or evidence rule.

What to check next

Confirm the current pathway and occupation treatment.
Check the current SMC wage threshold and evidence rules.
Use licensed immigration advice for an individual pathway assessment.

Sources and dates

Information was checked on 27 September 2026. Open the current source before relying on a rule, threshold or process that may have changed.

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