Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has published the final details of changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa — the country's main residence pathway for skilled migrants — ahead of the changes taking effect on August 24, 2026. Related wage-rate rules for Work to Residence visas change on the same date.

Two new residence pathways

The changes finalise two new routes to residence that were first announced in September 2025. The Trades and Technician pathway is for migrants working in specified skill-level 1 to 3 trades and technician roles who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification and have at least 4 years of directly relevant experience gained after that qualification, including 1.5 years working in New Zealand and earning at least the SMC median wage.

The Skilled Work Experience pathway is broader: it covers any skill-level 1 to 3 role and requires at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience, including 2 years in New Zealand earning at least 1.1 times the SMC median wage. Self-employment cannot be counted as relevant work experience under either new pathway — INZ says the evidence bar for self-employment income is too hard to independently verify.

Red and amber lists limit some occupations

Not every occupation gets equal access to the two new pathways. INZ has sorted a set of occupations onto 'red' and 'amber' lists based on historical evidence of visa fraud and role inflation. Red-list occupations — including retail manager, hairdresser, and beauty and massage therapist roles — are locked out of both new pathways entirely; workers in these roles can still apply for SMC residence only through the existing route, which requires 1.5 times the median wage, a bachelor's degree or higher, or a recognised occupational registration.

  • Amber list (extra conditions apply): chef, baker, pastrycook, cafe/restaurant manager, hotel or motel manager, hotel service manager, customer service manager, office manager, and several ICT support roles
  • Red list (new pathways not available): retail manager, hospitality/retail/service manager (general), hairdresser, hair and beauty salon manager, beauty therapist, massage therapist
  • Amber-list workers need 2 of their 5 years' experience paid at 1.2 times the SMC median wage, rather than the standard 1.1 times
  • INZ says these lists will be reviewed and updated periodically as immigration risk evidence changes

One wage threshold instead of two

Previously, applicants risked having to meet a higher SMC median wage at the time they applied for residence than the one that applied when they started their qualifying work. From August 24, 2026, most applicants will only need to meet the wage threshold that was in effect when they began accruing skilled work experience, and keep earning at least that rate — they will not be held to a higher threshold introduced later. A grace period also applies: if a migrant starts skilled work within 5 months of their work visa being granted, the wage threshold in force on the day the visa was granted applies, even if the median wage rises before they start.

Other changes from August 24

  • English language test results are now valid for 5 years for applicants who hold a recognised occupational registration
  • Accountants who can perform Qualified Statutory Accountant work and hold CPA Australia membership gain a new recognised occupational registration under SMC
  • From 2027, migrants who need up to 12 more months of skilled work experience to qualify will be able to apply to extend their Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to complete it
  • INZ has tightened its definition of 'genuine employment' for all skilled residence visas, requiring roles to be available, ongoing, and genuinely based in New Zealand
What this means for workers

If you're building toward SMC residence through a trades, technical, or other skilled role, check now whether your occupation sits on the red or amber list — it changes how much experience and what wage you'll need. The wage-threshold and grace-period changes are generally favourable, but none of this is a guarantee of a residence outcome; individual cases still depend on meeting the full evidential requirements INZ sets out.