New pathway · from 24 August 2026
The Skilled Work Experience pathway
For the first time, experienced workers can reach New Zealand residence through the SMC without a degree, registration, or high income. The Skilled Work Experience pathway (instruction SR3.35, effective 24 August 2026) rewards a sustained work history in a skill level 1 to 3 occupation.
The requirements
- Employment: a full-time job or offer (30+ guaranteed hours) with an accredited employer, permanent or 12+ months, in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation that is not on the Red List.
- Pay: at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold ($38.50 an hour at the current $35.00 rate), or 1.2 times ($42.00) for Amber List occupations.
- Experience, 5 years total: at least 3 years directly relevant to your job (any country, within the last 10 years, not self-employment; Amber List occupations must have gained it in New Zealand) plus at least 2 further years of skilled work experience in New Zealand within the last 4 years, paid at the same 1.1x or 1.2x rate.
- Plus the usual SMC basics: aged 55 or younger, English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent), health and character.
Evidence matters: INZ has said tax records must be provided for directly relevant experience, and applications without them are unlikely to be approved.
The Amber List (1.2x + NZ-only experience)
These 14 occupations face the higher 1.2x rate and must have gained their 3 years of relevant experience in New Zealand. They can still use the Points-based pathway with no extra requirements.
- Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec (141999)
- Hotel or Motel Manager (141311)
- Hotel Service Manager (431411)
- Baker (351111)
- Bed and Breakfast Operator (141911)
- Cafe or Restaurant Manager (141111)
- Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager (141211)
- Chef (351311)
- Customer Service Manager (149212)
- ICT Customer Support Officer (313112)
- ICT Support Technicians nec (313199)
- Office Manager (512111)
- Pastrycook (351112)
- Web Administrator (313113)
The Red List (Points-based only)
These 6 occupations cannot use the Skilled Work Experience or Trades and Technician pathways at all.
- Beauty Therapist (451111)
- Hair or Beauty Salon Manager (142114)
- Hairdresser (391111)
- Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec (149999)
- Massage Therapist (411611)
- Retail Manager (General) (142111)
Check where you stand in 3 minutes
Enter your occupation, pay, and experience. The checker applies the Amber and Red List rules automatically and shows whether this pathway, the Points-based pathway, or waiting for 24 August works best for you.
Run the free SMC eligibility checker →Common questions
Figures and rules on this page are sourced from Immigration New Zealand (Amendment Circular 2026-16, the INZ Operational Manual, and INZ's published pay-rate tables), current as at 8 July 2026. The 24 August 2026 settings are provisional until the amended instructions are published on the INZ website. This page is general information about immigration settings, not immigration advice; for advice about your situation, talk to a licensed immigration adviser or lawyer. See the official INZ Skilled Migrant Category pages.