Skilled Migrant Category Points Reference
A plain-English guide to how the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa points system generally works — and what changes from 24 August 2026. General information only — it does not assess whether you qualify.
How the Points System Works
Reaching the 6-Point Threshold
To be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the SMC Resident Visa under the current points-based pathway, you generally need a skilled job or job offer with an accredited employer and a total of 6 skilled resident points.
Points generally come from one of three categories — occupational registration, qualification, or income (3 to 6 points) — plus up to 3 more points for skilled work experience in New Zealand, if needed to reach 6. You can only count points from one of those three categories, not several combined. (As at immigration.govt.nz, February 2026.)
Income (current job or job offer)
| Points | Pay rate (based on the 2025 median wage) |
|---|---|
| 6 | At least 3× the median wage — currently NZD $105.00 per hour (no skilled work experience required). |
| 4 | At least 2× the median wage — currently NZD $70.00 per hour. |
| 3 | At least 1.5× the median wage — currently NZD $52.50 per hour. |
Qualification (NZ, or with a NZ equivalent)
| Points | Highest qualification |
|---|---|
| 6 | Level 10 doctoral degree (PhD). |
| 5 | Level 9 master's degree. |
| 4 | Level 8 bachelor honours degree or postgraduate diploma. |
| 3 | Level 8 postgraduate certificate or level 7 bachelor's degree. |
Occupational registration
| Points | Training/experience required for registration |
|---|---|
| 6 | Minimum of 6 years. |
| 5 | Minimum of 5 years. |
| 4 | Minimum of 4 years. |
| 3 | Minimum of 2 years. |
Skilled work experience in New Zealand
| Points | Additional points (top-up only) |
|---|---|
| +1 to +3 | Up to 3 extra points (generally 1 point per year of skilled NZ work experience) to top up to 6, if your single category above gives 3–5 points. You must meet the wage threshold throughout that experience. |
International qualifications recognised on the NZQF but without a confirmed NZ equivalent generally attract one point fewer (5 for a level 10, 4 for a level 9, 3 for a level 8). Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz — “Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa” and “Pay rates for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa”, as at February 2026.
Changes from 24 August 2026
What's Changing for the SMC
Immigration New Zealand has announced changes to the SMC from 24 August 2026. The following is a general summary; the detail and exact requirements are on immigration.govt.nz and how any change applies to a situation is confirmed by a licensed adviser.
Two new pathways
Alongside the existing points-based pathway, a Skilled Work Experience pathway (residence from 5+ years of qualifying work experience) and a Trades & Technician pathway (for eligible trades/technical roles with a relevant qualification and experience) are being added.
Points-based updates
Extra points for New Zealand qualifications, more points for overseas bachelor's degrees and postgraduate certificates, and reaching 6 points with less New Zealand work experience. A new occupational registration for accountants (CPA Australia members) will be worth 6 points.
Wage-threshold rules
The way the SMC wage threshold is applied is changing — generally you will only need to meet the threshold that was in place when you started gaining skilled work experience, and a new grace-period rule will apply in some situations.
Source: Immigration New Zealand, immigration.govt.nz — “2026 changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa”, as at February 2026. Announced changes can be adjusted before they take effect; always confirm current detail on immigration.govt.nz.
Common Questions
SMC Points — Questions
No. You generally claim 3 to 6 points from only one of the three categories (occupational registration, qualification or income). If that gives fewer than 6 points, you can add up to 3 more points from skilled work experience in New Zealand. You cannot combine, for example, qualification points and income points.
The income point bands are multiples of the New Zealand median wage. The 2025 median wage is NZD $35.00 per hour, so 1.5× is $52.50, 2× is $70.00 and 3× is $105.00 per hour. The median wage is updated regularly — current figures are on immigration.govt.nz. You can use our median wage calculator to compare a rate.
No. This is a general reference to how the points are awarded. Whether you meet the SMC requirements depends on your full circumstances and current policy — that is personalised immigration advice, provided by a licensed adviser (Ava Sanchez-Neal, LIA 200900809).
That depends entirely on individual circumstances — for some the current settings may be more favourable, for others the new pathways may help. This is exactly the kind of question a licensed adviser reviews against your situation and current policy.
Next Step
How Do the Points Apply to You?
A points reference is general information only. To understand which pathway and points may apply to your circumstances — now or after the August 2026 changes — request a review with our licensed adviser.