Immigration New Zealand has released the final details of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) changes that will come into effect on 24 August 2026.

The announcement brings welcome clarity for skilled workers who are planning their pathway to New Zealand residence. It confirms how wage thresholds will be assessed, introduces updates to qualification requirements, and provides further details on the newly announced residence pathways for skilled migrants.

For many applicants, the changes are likely to make the journey to residence more predictable and easier to navigate. At the same time, Immigration New Zealand has strengthened several areas of policy to ensure that residence pathways remain focused on genuine skilled employment and verifiable work experience.

Here’s what you need to know.

Greater Certainty Around Wage Thresholds

One of the biggest concerns for many migrants has been the possibility of wage thresholds increasing while they are accumulating the work experience required for residence.

Under previous settings, some applicants found themselves in a situation where they met the wage requirements when they started working, only to discover that higher wage thresholds applied by the time they became eligible to apply for residence.

From 24 August 2026, most Skilled Migrant Category applicants will generally only need to meet the wage threshold that was in place when they began accumulating their qualifying skilled work experience.

This means that if wage thresholds increase during the period in which a migrant is working towards residence, they will not usually be required to meet those higher thresholds later on.

This change provides greater certainty for both migrants and employers and makes long-term planning significantly easier.

New Grace Period Introduced

Immigration New Zealand has also introduced a practical grace period to account for situations where wage thresholds increase between visa approval and employment commencement.

If a migrant begins their qualifying employment within five months of their work visa being granted, the wage threshold that applied on the date of visa approval can still be used, even if wage requirements have increased in the meantime.

For many applicants, this removes a layer of uncertainty that previously complicated the transition from visa approval to starting work.

Work to Residence Pathways Aligned With New Rules

Alongside the Skilled Migrant Category changes, Immigration New Zealand has updated several Work to Residence pathways to ensure consistency across the residence system.

These changes apply to:

• Work to Residence Visa
• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
• Transport Work to Residence Visa

Applicants can now use the wage rate that applied to their occupation when their work visa was granted, provided they began earning at least that wage within five months of visa approval.

Importantly, applicants will not need to meet a higher wage rate later if wage requirements for their occupation increase after they start working.

However, applicants must still complete the required period of qualifying employment before becoming eligible for residence. In most cases, this remains 24 months of work experience completed within the 30 months immediately preceding the residence application.

Changes to Qualification Requirements

Immigration New Zealand has also clarified the evidence required when claiming points for qualifications under the Skilled Migrant Category.

Applicants claiming points for Level 8 or Level 9 qualifications must now generally hold a supporting bachelor’s degree or equivalent undergraduate qualification.

Evidence of both qualifications will need to be provided as part of the application.

This includes:

• Qualification certificates
• Academic transcripts

The only exception applies to applicants claiming five points for a New Zealand master’s degree. These applicants will not be required to provide evidence of a bachelor’s degree.

For overseas qualifications, an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) will generally continue to be required unless the qualification appears on New Zealand’s List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.

More Recognition for Higher Qualifications

The updated points system also increases the value of certain qualifications.

Under the revised settings:

• Bachelor’s degrees increase from 3 to 4 points
• Washington Accord accredited qualifications increase from 3 to 4 points
• Sydney Accord accredited qualifications increase from 3 to 4 points
• Master’s and doctoral qualifications remain unchanged

These adjustments better recognise the value of tertiary education and internationally recognised professional qualifications within New Zealand’s residence framework.

Trades and Technician Pathway Receives Further Clarification

One of the most anticipated changes is the introduction of the new Trades and Technician pathway.

This pathway is designed to provide an additional route to residence for skilled workers in eligible trade and technical occupations.

To qualify, applicants must hold a relevant qualification assessed at Level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

For New Zealand qualifications, applicants must hold qualifications totalling at least 120 credits.

Importantly, those credits can be accumulated across multiple qualifications where one qualification is a prerequisite for another.

For example, a person may hold:

• A Level 3 qualification worth 80 credits
• A Level 4 qualification worth 40 credits

Provided the Level 3 qualification was required before progressing to the Level 4 qualification, both can be counted towards the 120-credit requirement.

For overseas qualifications, the process is simpler.

Applicants will require an IQA confirming the qualification is equivalent to Level 4 or higher, but the 120-credit requirement will not apply.

This is particularly positive news for skilled tradespeople who obtained their qualifications outside New Zealand.

Self-Employment Will Not Count Towards Certain Residence Pathways

Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that self-employment cannot be used as directly relevant work experience under the new:

• Trades and Technician pathway
• Skilled Work Experience pathway

According to Immigration New Zealand, the decision is intended to protect the integrity of these pathways by ensuring that all qualifying work experience can be independently verified.

Applicants will therefore need to provide evidence of employment through traditional employer-employee relationships rather than relying on self-employed work history.

For applicants who have extensive self-employment experience, it may be important to explore alternative residence options and seek professional immigration advice before proceeding.

Stronger Focus on Genuine Employment

Another significant update relates to the definition of genuine employment.

Immigration New Zealand has updated its immigration instructions to provide greater clarity around what constitutes genuine employment for skilled residence applications.

The revised definition now requires employment to be:

• Available and ongoing
• Based on a genuine need to be performed in New Zealand

These requirements broadly align with the standards already applied under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme.

For the vast majority of applicants, these changes will have little practical impact because their employment arrangements already meet these requirements.

However, the revised wording gives Immigration New Zealand stronger grounds to decline applications where there are concerns that employment has been created solely to support a visa application rather than meet a legitimate business need.

What Do These Changes Mean for South African Applicants?

For South Africans considering a move to New Zealand, these changes are largely positive.

The clarification around wage thresholds provides more certainty when planning a long-term pathway to residence. Applicants can now make career and migration decisions with greater confidence, knowing that future wage increases are less likely to affect their eligibility.

The new Trades and Technician pathway may also create additional opportunities for qualified artisans, technicians and trade professionals who are in demand across New Zealand.

At the same time, applicants should ensure they understand the updated qualification requirements and maintain clear documentation of their employment history.

As always, careful planning remains essential when pursuing a New Zealand residence visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When do the new Skilled Migrant Category changes take effect?

The changes will come into effect on 24 August 2026.

Q: Will I need to meet a higher wage threshold if wages increase?

In most cases, no. Applicants will generally be assessed against the wage threshold that applied when they began accumulating their qualifying work experience.

Q: Can self-employment count towards the new residence pathways?

No. Self-employment cannot be used as directly relevant work experience under the Trades and Technician pathway or the Skilled Work Experience pathway.

Q: Has the points system changed?

Yes. Bachelor’s degrees, Washington Accord qualifications and Sydney Accord qualifications will now attract 4 points instead of 3.

Q:Will overseas trade qualifications still require 120 credits?

No. The 120-credit requirement only applies to New Zealand qualifications. Overseas qualifications simply need to be assessed as Level 4 or higher through an IQA.

Need Assistance With Your New Zealand Migration Journey?

Immigration policy changes can create new opportunities, but they can also raise questions about eligibility and timing.

At Network Migration Services, we help South Africans navigate every stage of the New Zealand migration process, from job search assistance and visa applications through to residence and relocation support.

If you’re considering moving to New Zealand or would like to understand how these latest changes may affect your pathway to residence, contact our team today for a free consultation.