The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is New Zealand's flagship points-based residence pathway for skilled workers. Since the system was rebuilt in October 2023, it is far simpler than the old version: you need just 6 points, and almost everyone earns them from a single qualification, occupational registration, or their pay rate — topped up by skilled work experience in New Zealand.
This guide explains the current 6-point rules, how the free Expression of Interest (EOI) works, and what the residence application costs.
Important — this is NOT the old 160-point system. Until 2023 the SMC used a 160-point table that awarded points for age, partners, regional employment and bonus categories. That system is gone. If you find a guide quoting "160 points," "age points," or "partner points," it is out of date. The current system caps out at 6 + 3 points and gives no points for age, but you must be 55 or younger when you apply.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Points needed | 6 (plus up to 3 for NZ work experience) |
| Points come from | One of: qualification, occupational registration, or income |
| Age limit | 55 or younger when you apply |
| EOI fee | Free |
| Residence application cost | From NZ$6,450 (NZ$2,880 fee + NZ$3,570 immigration levy) |
| Typical processing | Average 9.5 weeks; most within 4 months (INZ, October 2026) |
| Outcome | Resident visa → pathway to permanent residence and citizenship |
How the Points Work
You claim points from one primary factor (worth 3–6 points), and can add up to 3 more points for skilled work experience in New Zealand. You need 6 points in total.
Primary factor — choose the one that gives you the most points
Option A — Qualification
| New Zealand qualification level | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree (Level 10) | 6 |
| Master's degree (Level 9) | 5 |
| Bachelor honours / postgraduate diploma (Level 8) | 4 |
| Postgraduate certificate (Level 8) or bachelor's degree (Level 7) | 3 |
Option B — Occupational registration (for regulated professions that require NZ registration)
| Registration requires a minimum of | Points |
|---|---|
| 6 years' training | 6 |
| 5 years' training | 5 |
| 4 years' training | 4 |
| 2 years' training | 3 |
Option C — Income (based on your hourly pay rate against the median wage, currently NZ$35.00/hour)
| Hourly pay rate | Multiple of median | Points |
|---|---|---|
| NZ$105.00+ | 3× median | 6 |
| NZ$70.00+ | 2× median | 4 |
| NZ$52.50+ | 1.5× median | 3 |
Top-up — New Zealand skilled work experience (up to 3 points)
| Skilled work in NZ | Points |
|---|---|
| 3 years (within the last 5) | 3 |
| 2 years (within the last 4) | 2 |
| 1 year (within the last 2) | 1 |
Worked example: A registered nurse on the occupational-registration route claims 4 points for a profession requiring 4 years' training, then adds 2 points for two years of skilled work in New Zealand — reaching the 6 points needed.
The EOI and Application Process
Unlike the old competitive pool, the current SMC is threshold-based: if you meet the 6-point requirement and the other criteria, you are selected.
Step 1 — Submit an EOI (free)
Submit an Expression of Interest online, setting out how you meet the 6 points. There is no fee to submit an EOI and you don't upload documents at this stage — just the details of your claim.
Step 2 — Invitation to Apply
If your EOI meets the requirements, INZ invites you to apply. You then have 4 months to lodge your full residence application.
Step 3 — Residence application
Submit documentary evidence for every point you claimed — qualifications, registration, employment and pay records. INZ verifies all claims and may request further information. The application costs from NZ$6,450 (a NZ$2,880 application fee plus a NZ$3,570 immigration levy).
The Three SMC Pathways
Since 24 August 2026, the SMC has three pathways. You need to qualify for one, be 55 or younger, and work for (or have a job offer from) an accredited employer.
| Pathway | Who it's for | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Points-based | Most applicants | 6 points from qualification, NZ occupational registration or income, topped up with NZ skilled work experience |
| Skilled Work Experience | People whose skills come from work rather than a formal qualification | A job at ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 paid at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold; 3 years' relevant experience plus 2 more years' skilled work experience in NZ at that pay |
| Trades and Technician | Eligible trades and technician roles | A relevant qualification at level 4 or higher; 2.5 years' post-qualification experience at skill level 1 to 3, plus 1.5 years' skilled NZ experience paid at least the SMC wage threshold |
INZ uses ANZSCO skill levels for the SMC: the National Occupation List isn't recognised for SMC. The SMC wage threshold that applies to your work experience depends on when you started gaining it.
Where an adviser helps: which pathway you qualify for, which wage threshold applies to your experience, and whether your qualification needs an NZQA assessment can change the answer from "not yet" to "apply now". A licensed adviser can work through your history before you submit an EOI.
Other Requirements (Everyone)
Points get you selected, but you must also meet standard residence criteria:
Skilled employment
Your current job or job offer must be skilled: an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 job paid at least the SMC wage threshold, or a skill level 4 or 5 job paid at least 1.5 times the threshold. Skilled work experience you claim points for follows the same pay rules.
English language
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0), or
- PTE Academic 58 overall, or
- another accepted test at an equivalent level.
- Exemptions may apply for some English-speaking backgrounds.
Health and character
- Medical examination showing acceptable health
- Police certificates from every country lived in for 5+ years
- Character declarations
Costs
| Stage | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| EOI submission | Free |
| Qualification assessment (if required) | $1,300+ |
| IELTS test | $400+ |
| Medical examination | $400–600 |
| Police certificates | Varies by country |
| Residence application (fee + immigration levy) | $6,450 |
Your partner and dependent children can be included in the residence application; each additional applicant attracts their own fee. Partners receive open work rights and children attend school as domestic students.
Processing Times
- EOI: selected on an ongoing basis once requirements are met
- Invitation to application: you have 4 months to lodge
- Residence application: INZ's average is 9.5 weeks, with most decided within 4 months (October 2026). Tier 1 Green List jobs, pay of 3 times the median wage, and 6 points without work experience are escalated
Maintain your work visa status throughout — your employer may need to renew it while the residence application is processed.
After Residence
Once approved, your SMC resident visa provides:
- Indefinite stay in New Zealand
- Full work rights
- Access to public services
- A pathway to permanent residence and, later, citizenship
- Travel conditions (typically 2 years)
After meeting your travel conditions you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which removes travel conditions entirely.
Thinking about applying through the Skilled Migrant Category? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can confirm your points, identify the strongest route, and guide your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points do I need for the Skilled Migrant Category?
You need 6 points. You claim 3–6 points from one primary factor — a qualification, occupational registration, or your income (pay rate) — and can add up to 3 more points for skilled work experience in New Zealand. The old 160-point system was replaced in October 2023.
Does my age affect my SMC points?
No points are awarded or deducted for age; age points only existed under the pre-2023 system. But there is an age limit: you must be 55 or younger when you apply.
Is there a fee to submit an SMC Expression of Interest?
No — submitting an EOI is free. You only pay when you lodge the full residence application after being invited, which costs from NZ$6,450 (a NZ$2,880 fee plus a NZ$3,570 immigration levy).
How long does Skilled Migrant Category residence take to process?
Processing times vary with INZ's workload; INZ publishes current times on its website. Keep a valid work visa while you wait. If yours will expire, INZ processes a Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visa for you if you don't apply for another temporary visa.
Can I include my partner and children in an SMC application?
Yes. Your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included in your residence application, and each must meet the health and character requirements. As residents, they can live, work and study in New Zealand.
Getting help
Many SMC applicants with a clear 6 points apply on their own. A licensed immigration adviser is worth it if you're relying on the Skilled Work Experience or Trades and Technician pathway, your qualification needs an NZQA assessment, your pay is near a threshold, or you've had a visa declined. If INZ raises concerns about your employment, qualifications or character, or declines your residence application (you have 42 days to appeal), talk to an adviser or immigration lawyer.
Tell us your situation and we'll connect you with a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer. It's free to ask.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand, "Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa" (immigration.govt.nz), read 28 October 2026.