New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category: Points and Pathways in 2026

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is New Zealand's main route from a work visa to residence. It changed on 24 August 2026: the old points test survives, and two new experience-based pathways sit alongside it.

This guide covers the current rules, who each pathway suits, and what Nigerian applicants should prepare.

The basics every applicant must meet

Whichever pathway you choose, INZ requires that you:

• are 55 or younger when you apply
• have skilled employment, or an offer of it, with an accredited employer: at least 30 guaranteed hours a week, permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months, and genuine
• meet health and character requirements (police certificates from Nigeria and any country you've lived in)
• meet the English standard for residence

The job must also pay at least the SMC wage threshold. Lower-skilled roles must pay more (see the table below).

In practice, almost everyone gets to SMC after working in New Zealand, usually on an Accredited Employer Work Visa. You cannot apply from Nigeria with only qualifications and no NZ job.

The wage threshold: NZD 35.00 an hour

INZ sets an SMC wage threshold (its median wage figure) that it updates each year. From 9 March 2026 it is NZD 35.00 an hour. Many requirements are multiples of it:

Important change: since 24 August 2026 you keep the threshold that applied when you started gaining your NZ skilled work experience. A later rise doesn't push you out, as long as your pay doesn't drop below that figure and you don't change jobs. If you began work within 5 months of your work visa being granted, the threshold on the grant date applies.

Pathway 1: Points-based (6 points)

You need 6 points, from one skill category alone or one skill category plus NZ skilled work experience.

Skill categories (pick one):

NZ skilled work experience (added on top):

• 1 year in the last 2 years: 1 point
• 18 months in the last 3 years: 2 points
• 2 years in the last 4 years: 3 points

Examples:

• A Nigerian engineer with a bachelor's degree (4 points) needs 18 months of NZ skilled work (2 points) to reach 6.
• A worker on 1.5 times the threshold (3 points) needs 2 years of NZ skilled work (3 points).
• Someone earning 3 times the threshold, or holding a doctorate, has 6 points straight away.

For the NZ master's degree points, INZ now requires the degree to involve at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand.

Pathway 2: Skilled Work Experience (new)

This pathway is for experienced workers who don't have degree-level points.

• Job at ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3, paid at least 1.1 times the threshold (1.2 times for Amber List jobs)
• 3 years of directly relevant work experience, which can be overseas (for Amber List jobs it must be in New Zealand)
• plus 2 years of NZ skilled work experience at that pay, giving at least 5 years in total

Your Nigerian experience can count towards the 3 years if it is directly relevant and well documented.

Pathway 3: Trades and Technician (new)

This pathway is for qualified trades and technician workers.

• Job in a skill level 1 to 3 occupation on INZ's Trades and Technician list, paid at least the threshold
• A relevant qualification at NZ level 4 or higher (or comparable)
• 2 years and 6 months of directly relevant experience after qualifying, plus 18 months of NZ skilled work, at least 4 years in total

English for residence

The principal applicant must meet a higher English standard than for the AEWV. Accepted results include IELTS 6.5 overall, PTE Academic 58, TOEFL iBT 79, B2 First 176, or OET grade C+ in all four skills. The test must be sat in person.

Results must be no more than 2 years old. From 24 August 2026, people claiming points for NZ registration can use results up to 5 years old.

Degrees count as English evidence only if they came from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US. A Nigerian degree does not exempt you, so plan for a test.

How the EOI and application work

1. Choose your pathway and confirm your occupation's ANZSCO skill level and list status (Amber, Red or Trades).
2. Get an NZQA International Qualification Assessment if you're claiming qualification points and your degree isn't on the exempt list. Start early, because it takes time.
3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online. INZ says there's no EOI fee and an automated system checks your claims.
4. Receive an Invitation to Apply if your claims meet the requirements.
5. Lodge your residence application with evidence: employment agreement, job description, payslips or IRD earnings summaries, qualifications, English results, police certificates and medicals. INZ lists the fee as from NZD 6,450.
6. Keep your job and pay steady while you wait. Changing employer or dropping below your threshold can stop your experience counting.

What changed, in short

• 23 September 2025: INZ announced the redesign, cutting the maximum NZ experience needed from 3 years to 2.
• 24 August 2026: the two new pathways, the Amber and Red Lists, the locked-in wage threshold, longer English test validity for registered applicants, and a clearer definition of genuine employment all took effect.
• Planned for 2027: INZ says AEWV holders will be able to extend their visa by up to 12 months to finish their SMC experience. Treat this as planned until it is confirmed.

If your job is on the Green List, a faster route may exist. See our New Zealand hub guide. If you're weighing other countries, our Canada Express Entry guide explains a points system you can enter from abroad.

SMC readiness checklist

• Aged 55 or younger
• Skilled job with an accredited employer (30+ hours, permanent or 12+ months)
• Pay at or above your pathway's threshold, with payslips to prove it
• Occupation checked against ANZSCO level, Amber, Red and Trades lists
• Points worked out (Points-based) or experience years counted (other pathways)
• NZQA assessment, or proof your qualification is exempt
• English test (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent), in date
• Reference letters for overseas experience: dates, duties, hours, on letterhead
• Nigeria Police Force clearance and other police certificates
• Medical certificates from an INZ panel physician

Rules and figures here were checked against Immigration New Zealand in October 2026. Thresholds change every year, so confirm on immigration.govt.nz before you submit an EOI.