Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa
A resident visa for people working in, or offered, a full-time skilled job with an accredited New Zealand employer. You submit a free Expression of Interest (EOI) and, if you meet the requirements, receive an invitation to apply. There are three pathways: Points-based (6 points from qualification, registration or income, topped up with NZ work experience), Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technician. The resident visa lets you live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
Life in New Zealand
Money
3
Currency
New Zealand Dollar
NZD
New Zealand Dollar
Cost of living
89
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10.5–39%
Income tax (national)
GST 15%
39% applies to income over NZD 180,000; ACC earners' levy is charged in addition.
Living
1
Happiness
#11 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Members
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Skilled workers aged 55 or younger with a job or job offer from an accredited employer who meet one SMC pathway.
Eligibility
Age
You must be 55 or younger when you apply.
55
Age limit
Official wording
You must be 55 or younger when you apply.
Skilled job with an accredited employer
You need a full-time job, or a job offer, with an accredited employer that meets your pathway's pay rules.
Job requirements
- Hours
- At least 30 hours
- Fixed-term jobor contracts of at least 6 months
- At least 12 months
- Job can be permanent or fixed-term
- The job should broadly match its ANZSCO description
Official wording
You must be working in, or have an offer of, a job with an accredited employer that is full-time (at least 30 hours a week), permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months (or contracts of at least 6 months), and meets your pathway's pay rules. The job should broadly match its ANZSCO description.
Points-based pathwayPoints-based pathway
Show 6 points from a qualification, occupational registration or income, with up to 3 more from NZ work experience.
Points available
- Points neededfrom one main category
- 6
- Registration
- 3-6 points
- Income 1.5x1.5x SMC wage threshold
- 3 points
- Income 2x2x SMC wage threshold
- 4 points
- Income 3x3x SMC wage threshold
- 6 points
- NZ work experience1-2 years skilled experience
- Up to 3 points
- Qualification must be bachelor's level 7 or higher
- NZ qualifications score 1 point more than most overseas ones
Official wording
You need 6 points from one of: a qualification (bachelor's level 7 or higher; NZ qualifications score 1 point more than most overseas ones), occupational registration (3-6 points), or income (3, 4 or 6 points at 1.5x, 2x or 3x the SMC wage threshold). Up to 3 more points can come from skilled NZ work experience (1-2 years).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSkilled Work Experience pathway
- Document checklistPassport or certificate of identity, and photos
- FeesExpression of Interest
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 7 more requirements
- 10 documents
- 2 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to New Zealand
- Visit & tourismVisitor Visa for tourism and family visits
- Asylum & protectionClaim for refugee and protection status
- CitizenshipNew Zealand citizenship by grant
Permanent residence in other countries
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- RomaniaLong-term residence right
- Saudi ArabiaSaudi Premium Residency – Special Talent Residency, plus the Limited Duration and Unlimited Duration products
- SeychellesResidence Permit
- SloveniaPermanent residence permit
