New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category: How the 6-Point System Works in 2026

## Quick Facts - **Skilled Migrant Category points threshold**: 6 points required to apply for residence under the 2026 system, with points awarded for qualifications, skilled work experience in New Zealand, or income level. - **Qualification points**: NZQF Level 10 (Doctorate) = 5 points; Level 9 (Master's) = 4 points; Level 8 (Postgraduate Diploma or Honours) = 3 points; Level 7 (Bachelor's) = 2 points. - **Income-based points**: Earning at least 1.5x the median wage (NZD $37.86/hour in 2026, equating to NZD $56.79/hour) = 4 points; 2x median wage (NZD $75.72/hour) = 5 points; 3x median wage (NZD $113.58/hour) = 6 points. - **Skilled work experience points**: 1 year of skilled work in New Zealand = 1 point; 2 years = 2 points; 3 years = 3 points. Maximum 3 points from work experience. - **Job offer requirement**: Applicants must have a job offer or current employment in a skilled role, paying at least the median wage (NZD $37.86/hour in 2026), from an accredited employer. - **Application fee**: NZD $4,290 for the Skilled Migrant Category residence application as of 2026, plus NZD $1,330 for the Skilled Migrant Job Offer (if applying from offshore) or NZD $1,330 for the Skilled Migrant Category – Work to Residence transition. - **Processing time**: 90% of SMC applications processed within 6–8 months as of early 2026, with priority processing for Green List roles. ## Overview The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is New Zealand's primary residence pathway for skilled workers who want to live and work in New Zealand permanently. In October 2023, Immigration New Zealand replaced the previous 180-point system with a streamlined 6-point system, designed to simplify the application process and target high-skilled migrants. As of 2026, this system remains in place, with the median wage threshold updated annually. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of how the 6-point system works, including how points are calculated, eligibility requirements, and the application process. All data is sourced from Immigration New Zealand (immigration.govt.nz) and reflects official 2026 policy settings. ## How the 6-Point System Works The SMC requires applicants to accumulate a minimum of 6 points from one or more of the following categories: qualifications, income, or skilled work experience in New Zealand. Points can be combined across categories, but the maximum points from work experience is capped at 3 points. You cannot claim points from both qualifications and income simultaneously. ### Points from Qualifications Points are awarded based on the level of your qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), provided the qualification is recognised by NZQA or exempt from assessment under a relevant qualification recognition agreement. - **NZQF Level 10 (Doctorate)**: 5 points - **NZQF Level 9 (Master's degree)**: 4 points - **NZQF Level 8 (Postgraduate Diploma/Bachelor Honours)**: 3 points - **NZQF Level 7 (Bachelor's degree)**: 2 points For example, an applicant with a New Zealand Master's degree (4 points) would need an additional 2 points from skilled work experience in New Zealand (2 years) to reach 6 points. Alternatively, they could combine the Master's degree (4 points) with 1 year of skilled work experience (1 point) and a job offer in a Green List role (which provides no additional points but qualifies for a streamlined pathway). ### Points from Income If you do not have a recognised qualification, or your qualification is below Level 7, you can claim points based on your income. The income thresholds are tied to the New Zealand median wage, which was NZD $37.86 per hour in 2026 (based on the NZD $78,750 annual median wage for a 40-hour week). - **Earning at least 1.5x the median wage (NZD $56.79/hour)**: 4 points - **Earning at least 2x the median wage (NZD $75.72/hour)**: 5 points - **Earning at least 3x the median wage (NZD $113.58/hour)**: 6 points To claim income-based points, your job offer or current employment must be in a skilled occupation, and your income must be guaranteed for at least 12 months. Income from bonuses, commissions, or overtime is not counted; only base salary or wages are considered. ### Points from Skilled Work Experience in New Zealand Skilled work experience must be in a role that is considered "skilled" under Immigration New Zealand's definition — requiring at least a Level 4 qualification on the NZQF or relevant on-the-job training. Work experience must be obtained while holding a valid work visa (such as a Post Study Work Visa or Accredited Employer Work Visa). - **1 year of skilled work in New Zealand**: 1 point - **2 years of skilled work in New Zealand**: 2 points - **3 years of skilled work in New Zealand**: 3 points You cannot claim more than 3 points from work experience, even if you have worked for longer than 3 years. Work experience must be continuous (no gaps of more than 6 weeks between jobs) and in a skilled role paying at least the median wage. ### Combining Points Applicants can combine points from qualifications and work experience, or income and work experience, but cannot combine qualifications and income. For example: - **Master's degree (4 points) + 2 years skilled work experience (2 points)** = 6 points - **Bachelor's degree (2 points) + 3 years skilled work experience (3 points) + 1 year additional work experience (1 point)** = 6 points - **Income at 2x median wage (5 points) + 1 year skilled work experience (1 point)** = 6 points ## Eligibility Requirements Beyond Points Meeting the 6-point threshold is not sufficient on its own. Applicants must also satisfy the following core requirements: ### Age You must be aged 55 or under at the time of application. There is no age-based points system; the age limit is a binary threshold. ### Health and Character All applicants must meet acceptable health standards (requiring a medical examination and chest X-ray for stays over 6 months) and character requirements (police certificates from your home country and any country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years). ### English Language Proficiency You must demonstrate English language ability equivalent to IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) or a recognised alternative (PTE Academic 58, TOEFL iBT 79, or OET Grade C+). Some exemptions apply for citizens of Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, or for applicants who completed a qualification taught in English at a tertiary institution in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States. ### Job Offer or Current Employment You must have a job offer or current employment in a skilled role paying at least the median wage (NZD $37.86/hour in 2026) from an accredited employer. The job must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week) and permanent (or at least 12 months fixed-term). For applicants claiming income-based points, the job must pay at least the relevant income threshold. ### Green List Occupations The Green List identifies occupations with a direct residence pathway. As of 2026, Tier 1 roles (such as construction project manager, software engineer, civil engineer, registered nurse) offer a "Straight to Residence" pathway, allowing applicants to apply for residence immediately after securing a job offer. Tier 2 roles (such as early childhood teacher, secondary school teacher, electrician) require 2 years of work in the role before applying for residence. Green List occupations do not provide additional points under the 6-point system, but they offer a faster processing track. ## Application Process for 2026 The SMC application process involves several stages, and processing times can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the application and whether the role is on the Green List. ### Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) As of 2026, the EOI pool has been replaced by a direct application system. Applicants no longer need to submit an EOI and wait for an invitation to apply. Instead, they can submit a full residence application directly through the Immigration Online portal once they meet the 6-point threshold and all eligibility requirements. ### Step 2: Submit Application Submit your application online, along with all supporting documents (qualifications, work references, employment agreement, payslips, police certificates, medical certificates, English language evidence). The application fee is NZD $4,290, plus NZD $1,330 for the Skilled Migrant Job Offer (if applying from offshore) or NZD $1,330 for the Skilled Migrant Category – Work to Residence transition. ### Step 3: Assessment Immigration New Zealand assesses the application against the 6-point system, eligibility requirements, and verifies the job offer with the employer. They may request additional information or an interview. For Green List roles, processing is prioritised, with most applications processed within 2–4 months. For non-Green List roles, processing typically takes 6–8 months. ### Step 4: Decision If approved, you will receive a resident visa, allowing you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. After 2 years of residence, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which removes travel conditions and allows you to travel freely. ## Post-Study Pathways to Skilled Migrant Category For international students graduating from New Zealand institutions, the typical pathway to the SMC involves three stages: ### Stage 1: Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) Graduates of Level 7 bachelor's degrees or higher can apply for a 3-year PSWV. Graduates of Level 4–6 diplomas can apply for 1–2 years, depending on the qualification level. The PSWV allows full-time work in any role, but to transition to residence, graduates must find skilled employment paying at least the median wage. ### Stage 2: Skilled Employment During the PSWV, graduates must secure a skilled job offer from an accredited employer. Common graduate starting salaries in 2026 range from NZD $55,000–$65,000 for business and humanities graduates, NZD $65,000–$80,000 for engineering and IT graduates, and NZD $70,000–$85,000 for health sciences graduates. The median wage threshold of NZD $37.86/hour equates to approximately NZD $78,750 per year for a 40-hour week. ### Stage 3: Skilled Migrant Category Application Once you have accumulated sufficient points (e.g., a Master's degree = 4 points, plus 2 years of skilled work experience = 2 points), you can apply for residence under the SMC. Alternatively, if your occupation is on the Green List, you may qualify for a Straight to Residence pathway immediately after securing a job offer. ## FAQ ### Q1: Can I claim points for overseas work experience under the 6-point system? No, the 6-point system only awards points for skilled work experience gained in New Zealand while holding a valid work visa. Overseas work experience is not counted towards the points threshold. However, overseas qualifications are recognised if they are assessed by NZQA as equivalent to a New Zealand qualification level. For example, a Master's degree from a recognised overseas university can earn 4 points, provided the qualification is assessed at NZQF Level 9. ### Q2: What happens if I'm a few months short of the required 2 years of skilled work experience for 2 points? You cannot claim partial points. The system requires full years of skilled work experience. If you have 1 year and 8 months of skilled work experience, you can only claim 1 point (for 1 full year). You would need to continue working until you reach the 2-year mark to claim the second point. However, you can combine partial work experience with other points — for example, a Master's degree (4 points) plus 1 year of work experience (1 point) equals 5 points, requiring a fifth point from another source (e.g., an additional year of work experience, or income-based points if eligible). ### Q3: Is there a cap on the number of SMC applications accepted each year? As of 2026, the New Zealand Government has not imposed a numerical cap on SMC applications. However, Immigration New Zealand prioritises applications for Green List roles and those with higher points (e.g., 6 points from a single source). Processing times may slow if application volumes exceed capacity. In 2025, Immigration New Zealand processed approximately 35,000 SMC applications, with approval rates around 85% for well-prepared applications. ### Q4: Can I include my partner and dependent children in my SMC application? Yes, you can include your partner and dependent children (aged 24 and under, financially dependent) in your residence application. Partners must meet the same health and character requirements. Partners included in the application receive open work rights, allowing them to work for any employer. Dependent children can attend school as domestic students, meaning they pay no international student tuition fees. If your partner has skilled qualifications or work experience, they can be included as a secondary applicant, but their skills do not contribute to the 6-point threshold. ### Q5: What if my job offer is withdrawn after I submit my SMC application? If your job offer is withdrawn or your employment ends before Immigration New Zealand makes a decision, you must inform Immigration New Zealand immediately. You may be able to substitute a new job offer from another accredited employer, provided the new role meets the skilled employment requirements (median wage, skilled occupation). If you cannot find a new job within a reasonable timeframe (typically 2–3 months), your application may be declined. However, if you already hold a work visa (such as a PSWV), you can continue working while seeking new employment. ### Q6: How does the 6-point system compare to the previous 180-point system? The 6-point system is significantly simpler than the previous 180-point system, which awarded points for age, work experience, qualifications, and job offer in a complex calculation. Under the old system, applicants needed to demonstrate a minimum of 100 points to submit an EOI, with selection thresholds varying by intake. The new system eliminates age-based points (except the age cap of 55), removes points for partner skills, and simplifies the calculation to three core categories. This makes the system more transparent and easier for applicants to self-assess. However, it also means that applicants with lower qualifications or no New Zealand work experience may find it harder to reach 6 points. ## Sources 1. Immigration New Zealand — Skilled Migrant Category: Detailed policy settings, point allocation, and application process for 2026 (immigration.govt.nz) 2. Immigration New Zealand — Median wage updates: Current median wage of NZD $37.86/hour effective from February 2026 (immigration.govt.nz) 3. Immigration New Zealand — Green List occupations: Complete list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 roles with residence pathways (immigration.govt.nz) 4. New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) — Qualification recognition and NZQF level assessment (nzqa.govt.nz) 5. Statistics New Zealand — Median wage and salary data for 2026 (stats.govt.nz) 6. Employment New Zealand — Minimum wage and employment rights for migrant workers (employment.govt.nz) 7. New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment — Accredited Employer Work Visa and employer accreditation requirements (mbie.govt.nz) 8. Universities New Zealand — Graduate employment outcomes and starting salary data for 2026 (universitiesnz.ac.nz)