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Frequently Asked Questions
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
The Skilled Worker Experience (SWE) pathway is a new residence pathway launching in late August 2026. It is designed for migrants who have already been working in New Zealand in a skilled role and want a clearer route to residence based on their work experience here.
Full eligibility criteria will be confirmed by Immigration New Zealand ahead of the August 2026 launch. If you are currently working in New Zealand and building up your experience, this may be a relevant pathway for you.
Contact us to discuss whether you are likely to qualify — early planning makes a real difference.
The SMC is changing significantly from late August 2026 following the Government's 5 March 2026 announcement. Key changes include:
Wage-based points system — you need a minimum of 6 points, earned primarily through income.
ANZSCO Level 1–3 roles — must be paid at least the median wage (currently NZD $35.00/hr) to earn points.
ANZSCO Level 4–5 roles — must be paid at least 1.5 times the median wage (currently NZD $52.50/hr) to be eligible.
Skilled work experience — additional points can be claimed from NZ work experience where you were paid at the required threshold throughout.
Job offer requirement — must be permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months, or a continuous contract for at least 6 months.
If you are working in New Zealand and considering residence, it is important to assess whether your role and wage meet the new thresholds before August 2026.
From late August 2026, a new Trades and Technician residence pathway will be available for workers in recognised trade occupations — such as electricians, plumbers, builders, and other skilled trades.
To be eligible, you will generally need to:
Work in a qualifying trade occupation
Hold the relevant trade qualification or registration where required
Meet minimum work experience requirements
This pathway is an exciting development for those who have been working in the trades sector without a clear residence option. Full details will be confirmed by INZ ahead of August 2026 — we will update this page as they become available.
The recent changes primarily focused on the AEWV. However, the Skilled Migrant Category still uses a 6 points-based system, so ensuring your migrant worker has the required skills and qualifications remains crucial.
This is primarily based on a combination of
Qualification
Wages
Job offer
This depends entirely on your situation — there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Some people will be better off applying under the current rules before August 2026.
Others may benefit from waiting — particularly tradespeople or those who need more time to build their New Zealand work experience.
The two new pathways (SWE and Trades & Technician) may open options that do not exist under the current system.
We strongly recommend getting personalised advice before making this decision. Contact us at info@iianz.com or call 0800 452 169.
Offering competitive salaries, promoting career development opportunities, and sponsoring the visa application process can make your company more attractive to skilled migrants.
Yes, provided you meet the new wage thresholds and point requirements. The key is that your job offer and wage must meet the criteria in effect at the time you apply.
If you have been working in New Zealand at the qualifying wage, your skilled work experience in New Zealand may also contribute additional points toward your eligibility.
Talk to us about your specific situation before the changes take effect — the right time to apply will depend on your individual circumstances.
There are 3 skills-based pathways that allow you to get New Zealand residence if you meet the eligibility criteria:
the Skilled Migrant Resident pathway
athe Care Workforce and Transport Sector Agreement pathways.
Some of the visas on these pathways allow you to apply for residence straight away, such as the Straight to Residence Visa. Other pathways may require you to work in New Zealand before you can apply for residence, such as the Work to Residence Visa.
The Green list is a selection of Job roles which are in higher demand. These are further divided into Tier 1 & Tier 2, which depend on criteria.
Its important to match the criteria , which is needed and one needs to check if you have the necessary qualifications , registration or experience , which may provide an immediate or after 2 years of work experience in the country.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Key Policy Points
Accredited Employer Work Visa changes from 27 January.
Accredited employers will no longer need to provide paid time for their migrant workers to complete Employment New Zealand’s learning modules.
Lower domestic workforce threshold for construction labour hire firms
To hire workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), construction labour hire firms will need to ensure that at least of 15% of their workforce are New Zealand citizens or residents, down from 35% currently.
From March 2025
Wage Threshold: the government has announced the removal of the median wage threshold for the AEWV. Previously, most roles required payment at or above the median wage of NZD 29.66 per hour.
Experience Requirement: The experience requirement has been reduced to 2 years.
Visa Duration: The visa length has changed from 2 years (with a 1-year extension option) to a straight 3-year duration
Seasonal Visa Pathways: New seasonal visa pathways have been introduced to support employers in filling skill gaps.
Job Check Redesign: Immigration New Zealand is redesigning the Job Check process to streamline it for low-risk employers, with implementation planned for July 2025.
Several changes came into effect on April 7th, 2024. These include:
English language requirement: Now required for applications related to low-skilled roles (ANZSCO levels 4 and 5).
Minimum skills and experience: Applicants must prove qualification for the offered job (typically 3 years experience or a comparable NZ Level 4 qualification).
Employer engagement with Work and Income: Mandatory for ANZSCO 4 and 5 roles before migrant approval.
Maximum stay for lower-skilled roles: Reduced from 5 to 3 years (exceptions apply).
Minimum work hours: Employers must provide at least 30 hours/week or risk losing accreditation.
The minimum English language standard will be specified by Immigration New Zealand. Ensure your migrant worker meets this standard before applying for an AEWV for an ANZSCO 4 or 5 role.
Your company must guarantee at least 30 hours of work per week for the migrant worker throughout their AEWV. Failure to do so can lead to accreditation issues
The new minimum work hour requirement applies to all AEWV holders, regardless of when the visa was issued. The length of stay limitations (3 years for ANZSCO 4 & 5) may not apply to existing holders if their initial application was submitted before June 21st, 2023. It's best to check with Immigration New Zealand for confirmation.
Employer related questions
Migrant workers can bring valuable skills and experience to your company, filling labor shortages and fostering diversity in the workplace.
You're responsible for ensuring migrant workers comply with their visa conditions, paying them fairly, and providing a safe work environment. You as the employer is also responsible to "help the migrant employee settle and integrate " into the society. You are supposed to give them,
give your AEWV employees paid time to learn about employment rights, and
provide them with information about settling in New Zealand.
There are application fees for the visa itself, as well as potential Immigration New Zealand fees for accreditation and processing. Additional costs may include medical checks and English language tests for the migrant worker.
Non-compliance could result in penalties, including the loss of your employer accreditation and difficulty sponsoring future migrant workers.
Are you looking at studying in NZ?
New Zealand boasts a strong higher education system with several world-renowned universities and colleges. All of them feature in the Global top 500 list. We also have ,
Polytechnic OR NZ Institute of skills & Technology (Te Pukenga)
Private Training establishment (PTE)
Secondary schools
Primary schools
The cost of studying and living in New Zealand can vary depending on factors such as your chosen university, college location, and lifestyle. However, here's a general breakdown:
Tuition fees: Tuition fees for international students can range from around NZD 20,000 to NZD 40,000 per year, depending on the course and university.
Living expenses: Living expenses can vary, but you can expect to spend around NZD 20,000 to NZD 25,000 per year on accommodation, food, transportation, and other essentials.
Note: These are estimates, and actual costs may vary
To study in New Zealand, you will need to obtain a student visa. The specific requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the duration of your study program. Generally, you will need to provide:
Acceptance letter: A letter of acceptance or Offer from a New Zealand educational institution.
Financial evidence: Proof of sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses.
Health insurance: Evidence of health insurance coverage.
English language proficiency: Demonstrate your English language skills through a recognized test (e.g., IELTS, PTE etc).
New Zealand offers a range of job opportunities for international students who have completed their studies. The Graduate Jobs Programme allows eligible graduates to stay in New Zealand for up to three years to seek employment. Additionally, many international students find work in their field of study or related industries after graduation.
New Zealand has a strong reputation for the quality of its education system. Universities and colleges in New Zealand are internationally recognized for their academic standards, research excellence, and innovative teaching methods.
There are various accommodation options available for international students in New Zealand, including:
On-campus accommodation: Many universities offer on-campus accommodation options, such as halls of residence or student apartments.
Off-campus accommodation: You can also find off-campus accommodation options, such as rental apartments, shared houses, or homestays.
New Zealand is generally considered a safe country, but it's important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. The New Zealand Police website provides information on safety tips for international students
More Questions ???
An ‘open’ work visa is one that allows the holder to work for any employer in New Zealand.
These types of work visa do not require an offer of employment at the application stage, but are only available to specific applicants applying under the following categories:
Working Holiday Visa schemes.
Partners of New Zealand citizens, resident visa holders, or of people who hold certain types of work or student visas in New Zealand.
New graduates, who have recently completed a qualification in New Zealand. ( Conditions apply)
A child born in New Zealand is not automatically considered a New Zealand citizen if the parent/s are not New Zealand citizens.
If a child born in New Zealand is not eligible for New Zealand citizenship at birth, they are deemed to hold a visa if either parent holds a visa when the child is born. The exact type of visa that a child born in New Zealand is deemed to hold depends on the visas held by the child's parents when the child was born.
The processing time varies for each visa , and it depends on time of the year, priority , work load and other factors. As of today here is the link for average visa processing time.
There are various visas available, Most common ones are,
Resident visas,
Partner visas,
Visitor / Tourist
Student visas, and
Work Visas
Immigration fees have recently increased / changed from the 1st Oct 2024. Here is the link which will get you the numbers.
Yes, you may be able to bring your family members with you, depending on their relationship to you and the visa category you are applying for. Talk to us today about this and your options.
New Zealand has a strong economy and offers good job opportunities in various sectors, including technology, agriculture, and tourism.
Check out these sites
www.seek.co.nz
www.trademe.co.nz
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