The 3 Pathways for Professionals

The Skilled Migrant Category pathway

The requirements of the new Skilled Migrant Category

Under the new Skilled Migrant Category, which came into effect in October 2023, applicants for the SMC must have:

• occupational registration (where an occupation has a regulated registration, licensing, or certification scheme in New Zealand and full registration requires at least 2 years of formal training or experience), or
• a Bachelor’s degree or higher level qualification, or
• a skilled job earning at least 1.5 x median wage in New Zealand

The points system of the SMC

The new Skilled Migrant Category is based on a simplified points system.

You need 6 points to apply for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. These can be made up from:

• 3 to 6 points based on New Zealand occupational registration, qualifications, or income, and
• 1 point for each year of work in New Zealand in a skilled job, up to a maximum of 3 points.
• You must have a job or a job offer in New Zealand to be eligible.  

All applicants need a skilled job offer, and most applicants will need to spend time working in New Zealand before becoming eligible for residence.

Read more about the Skilled Migrant Category.

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^{Please note that changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa have just been announced: Two new residence pathways will be introduced under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa.}

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The two Green List pathways

The Green List helps to address ongoing skill shortages by making it easier for highly skilled and in-demand professionals to move to New Zealand.  

The Straight to Residence Visa Pathway

If you have a job offer for an occupation on the Tier 1 list and you meet the specified qualification, registration, and wage requirements, you can apply for the Straight to Residence Visa.

The Work to Residence Pathway

If you have a job or job offer for an occupation on the Tier 2 list and meet the specified qualification, registration, and wage requirements, you will need 2 years of relevant work in New Zealand on a specified visa. After this, you can apply for a Work to Residence Visa.

Read more about the two Green List pathways:

Skill Shortages in New Zealand

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The Care Workforce and Transport Sector Agreements pathways

If you have a job or job offer in an occupation covered by a specified sector agreement, and you meet the specified qualification, registration, and wage requirements, you need 2 years of relevant work in New Zealand on a specified visa.

Care workforce pathway

The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa allows care workers who earn NZD 28.25 an hour to gain residence after 24 months.

Transport sector pathway

In December 2022, the Immigration Minister announced a Transport Sector Agreement with a 2-year work to residence pathway for truck drivers and bus drivers.

Bus and truck drivers are able to apply for residence through this pathway if they have completed 2 years of work experience.