What are the Minimum Salary Requirements?

What are the remuneration thresholds in Skilled Migrant and Essential Skills policies?

Your salary will be an essential requirement to be able to secure a visa under the Skilled Migrant or Essential Skills categories.

The new Skilled Migrant policy also acknowledges that higher-paid positions reflect higher skill levels and will result in an increased potential to benefit New Zealand's economic growth. Bonus points will be awarded for employment based on high levels of earnings.

 

Why is your hourly rate important?

Your employment might be classified as skilled or even qualify for bonus points for your Expression of Interest!

 

Is your employment skilled?

There are two different levels of remuneration used to determine whether your employment can be classified as skilled: 

1. If your occupation is at ANZSCO skill levels 1–3, you must earn at or above NZ$25 per hour (or the equivalent annual salary)
2. If your occupation is at ANZSCO skill levels 4–5, you must earn at or above NZ$37.50 per hour (or the equivalent annual salary) to be awarded points for skilled employment in your Skilled Migrant Category residence application.

 

Will you qualify for bonus points?

You may be eligible for 20 bonus points if you are claiming points for skilled employment and the remuneration for that employment is at or above NZ$50 per hour (or the equivalent annual salary).

 

Immigration New Zealand will update remuneration thresholds in February 2020

On 24 February 2020, the salary thresholds for Skilled Migrant Resident Visas and Essential Skills Work Visas will increase.

1. For ANZSCO skill levels 1–3, you will need to earn a minimum of NZ$25.50 per hour (NZ$ 53,040 per annum). This is an NZ$0.5 per hour increase. 
2. For ANZSCO skill levels 4–5, you will need to earn a minimum of NZ$38.25 per hour (NZ$ 79,560 per annum). This is an NZ$0.75 per hour increase to be awarded points for skilled employment in your Skilled Migrant Category residence application.

From 24 February 2020, Essential Skills applicants must be paid NZ$ 21.68 or more per hour (NZ$ 45,094 per annum) for Mid-skilled employment in an occupation at ANZSCO skill level 1-3 OR NZ$ 38.25 or more per hour (NZ$ 79,560 per annum) for higher-skilled employments/occupations at ANZSCO levels 4-5

To claim the 20 bonus points for high remuneration, applicants must be paid NZ$51 or more per hour. (NZ$ 106,080 per annum). This is an increase of NZ$ 1 per hour.

  

Continue your Self-Assessment with our Quick Self-Check Guide.