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The New Zealand Government has released further details about upcoming Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) changes that will take effect in late August 2026. These reforms introduce new residence pathways and clarify several requirements for migrants planning to apply for residence in New Zealand.
This update is shared for public information purposes. We are not Immigration New Zealand; we are a licensed immigration advisory firm providing general updates to help migrants stay informed. Two New Residence Pathways As previously announced, the Government will introduce two new pathways under the Skilled Migrant Category: 1. Skilled Work Experience Pathway This pathway focuses on migrants who have built significant skilled work experience in New Zealand. 2. Trades and Technician Pathway This pathway is designed for workers in technical and trade occupations who meet specific qualification and work experience requirements. These new options aim to recognise migrants who contribute to New Zealand’s workforce through skilled employment and practical industry experience. Three Key Occupation Lists Introduced The Government has also released three important occupation lists that determine which pathway migrants may use. Trades and Technician Pathway List Migrants working in occupations on this list may qualify if they:
Amber List Migrants working in occupations on this list cannot use the Trades and Technician Pathway. They may apply under the Skilled Work Experience Pathway, but only if they have:
Red List Migrants in occupations on this list cannot use the new pathways. Instead, they must apply using the existing points-based Skilled Migrant Category system, requiring 6 points. These points may come from:
Other Changes Applying to All SMC Pathways Several policy adjustments will apply to all Skilled Migrant Category pathways from late August 2026. Simplified median wage requirements Migrants applying based on skilled work experience will not need to meet the current median wage at the time they apply. Instead, the relevant wage threshold will be based on the median wage that applied when they began their skilled work experience in New Zealand. Grace period for wage calculations If a migrant begins skilled work experience within 5 months of receiving their work visa, the wage threshold used will be the one in effect when the visa was granted, even if the median wage increases later. Clarification for higher qualifications Applicants claiming points for Level 8 or Level 9 qualifications must also hold a bachelor’s degree (from any country). However, applicants claiming 5 points for a New Zealand Level 9 master’s degree will be exempt from this requirement. Longer English test validity English language test results will be valid for 5 years for migrants who hold a valid occupational registration. New occupational registration recognised Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand who are members of Certified Practising Accountants Australia will now be eligible to claim 6 SMC points. Additional Work Visa Option from 2027 Starting in 2027, migrants who still need up to 12 more months of skilled work experience to meet residence requirements will be able to apply for another Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to complete the experience needed before applying for residence. What These Changes Mean for Migrants These reforms aim to better recognise skilled work experience in New Zealand and provide clearer pathways for tradespeople, technicians, and experienced workers. However, eligibility will depend heavily on occupation lists, wage thresholds, and work experience requirements. Migrants planning their long-term pathway to residence should carefully review how these changes may affect their eligibility. If you would like guidance on how the upcoming Skilled Migrant Category changes may affect your situation, you may consider booking a consultation with our licensed immigration adviser by clicking on the below buttons:
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 Changes from April 2026 – What You Should Know
Immigration New Zealand has announced that from 20 April 2026, updated employment conditions will apply to open work visa holders. These changes are designed to clarify what type of work is permitted under different open visa categories and to improve compliance with New Zealand’s employment and business laws. As licensed immigration advisers, we are sharing this update as a public service. We are not Immigration New Zealand, but we assist migrants in understanding their visa conditions and making informed decisions. Why These Changes Are Being Introduced Open work visas have traditionally provided flexibility. However, not all visa holders clearly understand whether they can operate a business, work as a contractor, or only work for an employer. The new structure introduces clearer categories so migrants can better understand:
Two Types of Employment Conditions From 20 April 2026, open work visas will include one of two employment conditions. 1. Open Work Visas Allowing Any Work Some visa holders will be permitted to:
2. Open Work Visas Requiring Work for an Employer Other open work visa holders must work only for an employer. This means:
Employer-specific visas, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa, are not affected by these changes. Student Visa holders are also not impacted. Conditions That Apply to All Open Work Visas Regardless of the category, all open work visa holders:
Transitional Arrangements If you currently hold an open work visa and are undertaking work that may not be permitted under the new conditions (excluding restricted industries), you may continue that work until your visa expires. However, when applying for a future visa, you must meet the employment conditions attached to the approved visa category. Planning ahead is strongly recommended. Working Holiday Visa Holders The primary purpose of a working holiday visa remains tourism. Work is permitted only to support your stay. Working holiday visa holders:
Read the Official Update For full details, you can read the official announcement here: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/upcoming-changes-to-employment-conditions-for-open-work-visa-holders Need Advice About Your Visa? Understanding the exact employment condition attached to your visa is critical, particularly if you are self-employed, contracting, or considering starting a business. If you are unsure how these changes affect your situation, consider booking an appointment with us for personalised advice by clicking on the button below. New immigration changes are set to take effect from 9 March 2026, affecting employers, migrant workers, and anyone planning a New Zealand work visa application. The updates include new occupations recognised under the National Occupation List (NOL) and an increase to the immigration median wage, which is used across multiple visa categories.
This article is shared for public information purposes only. We are not Immigration New Zealand. Expanded National Occupation List (NOL) The National Occupation List (NOL) is New Zealand’s occupation classification system used for work visa settings, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). From March 2026:
Occupations Reclassified to Skill Level 4 Three occupations will be reclassified from skill level 3 to skill level 4:
Immigration Median Wage Increase The immigration median wage will increase to NZD 35.00 per hour, based on June 2025 wage data. This benchmark is used across multiple immigration policies. The increase affects areas such as:
What This Means for Employers and Migrants
Final Note These updates are part of New Zealand’s ongoing effort to better align immigration settings with labour market demand and wage growth. Immigration rules can be complex, and outcomes depend heavily on individual circumstances. For the official announcement, refer to Immigration New Zealand’s update here: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/new-occupations-recognised-under-the-national-occupation-list-and-annual-median-wage-increase/ If you need guidance with your AEWV application or you want to get started, click on the button below. |
