New Zealand is simplifying the process of obtaining a residence permit: two new immigration pathways will take effect in August 2026

Starting August 24, 2026, New Zealand will significantly change the rules for obtaining a residence permit for skilled foreign workers. The country is introducing two new pathways to residency, simplifying certain requirements, and revising the rules for assessing work experience and salary levels. Find out who will be eligible for these new opportunities and what changes you should consider now

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New Zealand continues to improve its immigration system to attract skilled workers in sectors where the country faces labor shortages. Starting August 24, 2026, a major update to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) program—one of the main pathways for foreigners to obtain a residence permit—will take effect.

The government is introducing two new residency categories, simplifying minimum wage rules, revising professional qualification requirements, and extending the validity period of language test results for certain applicants. The goal of the reform is to make the system more transparent, reduce bureaucratic burdens, and help employers attract and retain the specialists they need.

Earlier, we talked about the European countries where it is easiest to get a work visa and start a career abroad.

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How does the Skilled Migrant Category program currently work?

Despite this major reform, the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is not being abolished. Starting August 24, 2026, it will remain one of the main ways to obtain a residence permit in New Zealand, but it will operate under updated rules and alongside two new pathways to residency.

Currently, applicants must score at least 6 points to apply. A key feature of the system is that core points cannot be combined across different categories. Applicants choose one of three main criteria—professional registration, education, or income level. If this is insufficient, they can supplement their score with points for skilled work experience in New Zealand.

For example, points may be awarded for:

1. Professional registration—3 to 6 points, depending on the specialty and the duration of the required training;

2. Education—3 points for a bachelor’s degree up to 6 points for a doctoral degree;

3. High income—3 to 6 points, depending on how much the salary exceeds the national median wage;

4. Work experience in New Zealand—up to 3 additional points if the primary criteria do not immediately allow the applicant to reach the required six points.

This model will remain the foundation of the immigration system even after August 2026. At the same time, the government has decided to expand opportunities for foreign professionals by introducing two additional pathways to residency and revising certain rules of the current 6-point system.

We previously reported that New Zealand has tightened English language requirements for the AEWV work visa in 2026.

Two New Pathways to a Residence Permit

The main change brought by the reform is that, starting August 24, 2026, New Zealand will introduce two new pathways to obtaining a residence permit under the Skilled Migrant Category program. These pathways will operate alongside the current 6-point system and will enable candidates who previously could not always meet the Points Pathway requirements to obtain residency.

Skilled Work Experience Pathway

This pathway is designed for experienced professionals who already have significant work experience. Unlike the current system, where work experience merely helps candidates earn the required 6 points, the new program allows applicants to obtain a residence permit based solely on their professional experience, even if they do not hold an advanced academic degree or professional registration.

To participate in the program, applicants must meet several key criteria:

- Have at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience;

- At least 2 years of this experience must have been gained while working in New Zealand;

- Work in an occupation classified under ANZSCO Skill Levels 1–3;

- Meet the salary requirements;

- Meet standard immigration requirements regarding English language proficiency, health, and good character.

In fact, this program opens up new opportunities for professionals who have built their careers through many years of practical experience, rather than solely through a university education.

By the way, we previously reported that New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test in 2027.

Trades and Technician Pathway

The second new pathway was created specifically for workers in trades and technical professions, which remain among the most in-demand occupations in New Zealand. Previously, it was more difficult for many such professionals to meet the requirements of the 6-point system, so the government decided to introduce a separate mechanism for obtaining residency.

To qualify for this pathway, an applicant must:

- Work in an occupation listed under the Trades and Technician occupations;

- Hold the appropriate professional qualifications;

- Demonstrate the required work experience;

- Meet the established salary requirements;

- Pass standard health, character, and English language proficiency checks.

According to Immigration New Zealand, the new pathway covers more than 100 technical and skilled trades, including electricians, plumbers, construction workers, mechanics, engineering technicians, chefs, and other specialists who are in high demand in the country’s economy. The list of occupations may be revised depending on labor market conditions.

About immigration to New Zealand in 2026 — read here.

What other rules will change as of August 24, 2026?

In addition to launching two new pathways to residency, the New Zealand government has revised the existing rules of the Skilled Migrant Category program. Some of the changes apply to all applicants, regardless of which program they apply under. The main goal is to make the requirements clearer and the process of obtaining a residence permit less dependent on annual changes in the labor market.

Among the most important changes:

1. The rules regarding the minimum salary threshold are being simplified

Previously, applicants had to meet one salary threshold while gaining the required work experience and then a new, higher threshold at the time of application; however, starting August 24, 2026, in most cases, it will be sufficient to meet the rate that was in effect when they began accumulating qualified work experience.

This provides greater certainty for applicants even if the median salary in the country continues to rise.

2. Changes to the education points system

Graduates of New Zealand universities will receive additional benefits, and certain international bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate certificates will be worth more points than before. This should make the system fairer for different categories of applicants.

3. Work experience requirements for earning additional points are being reduced

For example, to earn the maximum 3 additional points, 2 years of skilled work in New Zealand is now sufficient, instead of three. 1.5 years of work earns 2 points, and 1 year earns 1 point.

4. The validity period of English language test results is being extended for certain professionals

If an applicant holds the relevant professional registration, their language test results will be valid for 5 years instead of 2. The same validity period may apply to the applicant’s partner, provided they meet the established requirements.

5. Accountants will gain a new opportunity to claim 6 points

Starting August 24, 2026, candidates who are eligible to work as Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand and are members of CPA Australia will be able to claim the maximum number of points for professional registration.

Self-employment will no longer count as directly relevant work experience for the two new pathways to residency—the Skilled Work Experience Pathway and the Trades and Technician Pathway. Additionally, the immigration service will strengthen its verification of the authenticity of proposed employment offers to prevent the use of fictitious job openings to obtain a residence permit.

About open work visas in New Zealand in 2026 — read more at the link.

Who stands to benefit most from the new immigration system?

The introduction of two new pathways to residency means that obtaining a residence permit will become easier for categories of workers who previously could not always meet the requirements of the 6-point system. This primarily applies to professionals with many years of practical experience, technical workers, and graduates of New Zealand educational institutions.

The following groups will benefit most from the reform:

1. Professionals with many years of work experience. If a candidate has at least 5 years of relevant experience, 2 of which were gained in New Zealand, they will be eligible to apply for residency through the new Skilled Work Experience Pathway, even if they do not meet the required points threshold for education or professional registration.

2. Technical and skilled trades professionals. A separate Trades and Technician Pathway has been created for electricians, plumbers, mechanics, construction workers, engineering technicians, chefs, and other in-demand specialists. This will allow skilled workers to obtain a residence permit under rules that better account for the specific nature of their professions.

3. Graduates of New Zealand universities. The updated points-based system will give an additional advantage to candidates who received their education in New Zealand. This is intended to encourage international students to stay and work in the country after completing their studies.

4. Workers already employed in New Zealand. New rules for assessing wages eliminate situations where an applicant would lose the opportunity to apply due to an increase in the country’s median wage. Now, in most cases, the threshold in effect at the time the applicant began accumulating the required work experience will apply. This makes the process more predictable for both employees and employers.

At the same time, the reform does not automatically simplify the process for all candidates. As before, applicants must meet requirements regarding age (under 55), English language proficiency, health, good character, and must have a skilled job offer or already be working in New Zealand. In addition, experience as a self-employed person will no longer be considered for the new pathways, and Immigration New Zealand will verify whether the proposed job meets the established criteria.

If you are planning to work abroad in 2026 and want to better understand the rules of employment, work permits, taxes, and basic employee rights, it is worth preparing for the move in advance. Visit World's practical working guide will help you navigate the current requirements, types of work permits, and steps to take upon arrival to avoid common mistakes and feel confident in your new life abroad.

We remind you! We previously reported that New Zealand has tightened its English language requirements for the AEWV work visa in 2026.

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