The changes to New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category that came into effect on 24 August 2026 introduced two important new residence pathways: the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway.

At New Zealand Immigration Concepts, we very much welcome these changes. They significantly broaden the opportunities for experienced skilled workers, particularly tradespeople and technicians who previously had relatively limited options for progressing to New Zealand residence.

Alongside these new pathways, Immigration New Zealand has introduced Red and Amber occupation lists. These have understandably caused some concern among migrants, but it is important to put them into perspective.

What are the Red and Amber Lists?

The lists are essentially a mechanism used by Immigration New Zealand to place additional restrictions on a relatively small number of occupations where the Government considers there to be a higher immigration risk, including concerns around role inflation or immigration fraud. (Immigration New Zealand (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/further-changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-to-come-into-effect-in-august-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

The Red List currently contains only six occupations: Beauty Therapist, Hair or Beauty Salon Manager, Hairdresser, Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec, Massage Therapist, and Retail Manager (General).

People employed in these occupations cannot use the new Skilled Work Experience pathway or Trades and Technician pathway. (Immigration New Zealand (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/skilled-migrant-category-pathway-to-residence/red-and-amber-list-occupations/))

Importantly, however, being on the Red List does not mean that a person is excluded from the Skilled Migrant Category altogether.

They may still qualify through the points-based SMC pathway, for example through an eligible Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, occupational registration, or sufficiently high income. (Immigration New Zealand (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/further-changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-to-come-into-effect-in-august-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

The Amber List is somewhat less restrictive. It includes occupations such as chefs, bakers, café and restaurant managers, office managers and certain ICT support occupations. These applicants can still use the Skilled Work Experience pathway, but they must meet higher requirements. In particular, the New Zealand work experience requirement is longer and the relevant employment must be paid at least 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold. (Immigration New Zealand (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/skilled-migrant-category-pathway-to-residence/red-and-amber-list-occupations/))

Again, the normal points-based SMC pathway remains available where its requirements can be met.

The bigger picture is very positive

Our view is that the Red and Amber Lists need to be seen in the context of the much broader and very positive changes to skilled residence.

The new Skilled Work Experience pathway creates a residence option for experienced skilled workers in ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupations.

Under the standard pathway, applicants generally need five years of relevant work experience, including two years of skilled employment in New Zealand, with the New Zealand employment paid at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold. (Immigration New Zealand (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/getting-new-zealand-residence-based-on-your-skills/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Even more significant for many of our clients is the new Trades and Technician pathway.

It provides a dedicated route to residence for a wide range of eligible occupations, including carpenters, automotive tradespeople, engineering technicians, welders, fitters, telecommunications technicians and many others. Applicants generally require a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification and four years of post-qualification work experience, including 18 months of skilled employment in New Zealand. (Immigration New Zealand (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/skilled-migrant-category-pathway-to-residence/eligible-roles-for-the-smc-trades-and-technician-pathway/))

This is a substantial improvement.

It recognises something that has long been obvious in the New Zealand labour market: valuable skills are not limited to university degrees.

Experienced tradespeople and technicians make an essential contribution to the New Zealand economy and now have a much clearer residence pathway.

What does this mean for our clients?

So far, the Red and Amber Lists affect relatively few of the clients we are advising.

For most skilled migrants we work with, there remains a straightforward pathway to explore.

Depending on their occupation, qualifications, work experience and New Zealand employment, this may be through the new Trades and Technician pathway, the Skilled Work Experience pathway, or the existing points-based Skilled Migrant Category.

In fact, many applicants who would have struggled to qualify under the previous settings may now have a considerably clearer pathway towards residence.

The key is therefore not to look at the Red and Amber Lists in isolation. The better question is:

Which of the available skilled residence pathways fits your particular qualifications, occupation, work experience and New Zealand employment?

That requires an individual assessment.

Overall, we welcome the August 2026 changes.

The new system provides considerably more recognition for practical skills and substantial work experience and creates genuine new residence opportunities for skilled migrants who previously had few realistic options.

If you would like us to assess how the new Skilled Migrant Category settings apply to your circumstances, please ask us for a free Immigration Assessment.