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NEW ZEALAND – Skilled Migrant Update
July 14, 2023
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced a new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) in June 2023. The purpose of this new SMC is to further support economic growth by providing a pathway for residency for highly-skilled and higher-income individuals. The new category is built around a simple six-point skills assessment, and has no annual cap on the number of immigrants who may be allowed into New Zealand under the scheme.
To qualify for residency under the new SMC, applicants must:
- Be 55 years old or younger when they submit their application
- Meet health and character requirements
- Demonstrate an acceptable level of English proficiency
- Have skilled employment with an accredited employer. Employment will be considered skilled if it meets:
- ANZSCO level 1-3 with payment at median wage (NZ$29.66 hourly); or
- ANZSCO level 4-5 with payment at 1.5x median wage (NZ$44.49 hourly).
- Claim six eligibility points.
Between three and six points can be earned for:
- Occupational registration; or
- A recognised qualification; or
- Meeting certain income thresholds.
In addition, a further three points can be earned for skilled New Zealand work experience, at a rate of one point per year.
INZ expects individuals who hold PhD qualifications, occupations requiring six of more years of training (such as doctors), and high-income earners who earn NZ$88.98/hourly are the ones who will benefit most from this SMC, since they can earn the required six points for residency without needing any previous skilled New Zealand employment.
