New Zealand Resident Visa:
The Skilled Migrant Category
Expert guidance for the 6-point system and Green List pathways to residency.
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The Points System Breakdown
Understanding how New Zealand scores your profile is the first step to success.
Qualification (PhD)
6 points
Registration
3-6 points
Income (3x Median)
6 points
Application Requirements
points
Attaining at least 6 points from a combination of qualifications, registration, or high income.
job
An offer of skilled employment in New Zealand with an accredited employer.
age
Must be 55 years of age or under at the time of application.
language
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent PTE/TOEFL score for the primary applicant.
Your PR Timeline
Accreditation Check
Verifying that your New Zealand employer is an 'Accredited Employer' (AEWV).
Points Audit
Calculating your 6 points based on the new INZ 2024/2026 criteria.
EOI & ITA
Submitting an Expression of Interest and receiving an Invitation to Apply after points verification.
Residency Grant
Receiving your Resident Visa, allowing you to live, work, and study in NZ indefinitely.
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New Zealand PR FAQs
Answers to common questions about immigration laws, PNP, and EOI.
Q. What is the 6-point system?
A simplified points system introduced in late 2023 that focuses on high-level qualifications, registration, or income.
Q. What is the Green List?
A list of high-demand occupations that provide a faster, more direct path to residency.
Q. How long does NZ PR take?
Resident visas are typically processed in 6-12 months.
Q. What is an Accredited Employer?
A company that has been pre-approved by INZ to hire foreign workers.
Q. Can I include my family?
Yes, your partner and dependent children (up to age 24) can be included.
Q. What is the 'Straight to Residence' visa?
A pathway for people in Green List Tier 1 roles to apply for PR before moving or immediately upon arrival.
Q. What is the 'Work to Residence' visa?
A pathway for Green List Tier 2 roles where you can apply for PR after 2 years of work.
Q. What is the minimum salary for residency?
Most SMC applicants must earn at least the New Zealand median wage (currently around $31.61/hr).
Q. Do I need a PhD for 6 points?
A PhD automatically gives you 6 points. Lower qualifications give 3-5 points, which you must supplement with years of NZ work experience.
Q. What is the English requirement for NZ?
Primary applicants need an IELTS overall band of 6.5. Partners and children need a lower score (or can pre-purchase ESOL tuition).
Q. Can I apply if I'm over 55?
The SMC has a strict age limit of 55, but other routes like the Parent or Investor visas have different rules.
Q. What is the 'Permanent' Resident Visa?
In NZ, you first get a 'Resident Visa'. After 2 years of living in NZ, you can apply for a 'Permanent Resident Visa' which has no travel conditions.
Q. What is an EOI?
An Expression of Interest is the first step where you tell INZ you want to apply for residency.
Q. Do I need a job offer for residency?
Yes, for the SMC and Green List routes, a skilled job offer from an accredited employer is mandatory.
Q. What is a 'Skilled' job in NZ?
A job that is classified at ANZSCO Level 1, 2, or 3 and meets the median wage threshold.
Q. What is the Medical/Police clearance rule?
You must provide medical certificates and police clearances from all countries where you lived for 12+ months.
Q. Can I move from a student visa to residency?
Yes, after completing a qualification and finding a skilled job, you can apply via the 6-point SMC route.
Q. What is the Parent Resident Visa?
A visa for parents of NZ citizens/residents, which uses a ballot system for selections.
Q. What are the travel conditions?
A standard Resident Visa allows you to travel in and out of NZ for 2 years. After that, you need a Permanent Resident Visa.
Q. Can I work for any employer on a Resident Visa?
Yes, once you have residency, you are no longer tied to one employer (unlike the AEWV work visa).
Q. What is the NZ median wage?
The benchmark salary used by INZ, which is updated annually based on national earnings data.
Q. How many points do I get for NZ work experience?
You can get 1 point for 1 year, 2 points for 2 years, and 3 points for 3 years of skilled NZ work.
Q. Can I use foreign work experience for points?
Under the new 6-point system, foreign work experience is generally not awarded points directly; focus is on qualifications and NZ work.
Q. What is the 'Skilled Migrant' vs 'Green List'?
SMC is points-based (Qualifications + NZ Work); Green List is role-based (Occupational demand).
Q. How do I calculate my points?
You choose one 'pillar' (Qualification, Registration, or Income) and add NZ work experience points to reach a total of 6.
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