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New Zealand

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

New Zealand's primary points-based residence pathway for skilled workers. Replaced its old 180-point system with a streamlined 6-point grid in October 2023. Major redesign incoming August 2026.

6 / 9

Pass mark / max points

6–10 mo

Typical processing time

NZD 6,200

Application fee (single)

Resident

PR after 2 years; citizenship in 5

The accredited employer requirement

Critical: SMC requires a job (or job offer) from an Immigration NZ Accredited Employer.

This is the single biggest filter on SMC. Without an accredited employer offer, SMC is not available — the typical fallback is the AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) as a stepping stone, leading to SMC after sufficient skilled NZ work experience. SMC is not pure self-nomination like AU 189 or CA Express Entry FSW.

The 6-point system

Pick the highest of three skill categories (registration, qualification, or income), then add NZ work experience. Pass mark is 6.

Skill category (pick the highest)

Occupational registrationYears of experience in a registered profession (e.g., medicine, engineering)
3-6 pts
Recognised qualification3 pts = Bachelor's; 4 pts = Master's; 5 pts = PhD; 6 pts = NZ-recognised post-doctoral
3-6 pts
IncomeBased on hourly rate vs the NZ median wage (currently NZD 31.61/hr)
3-6 pts

Plus NZ work experience

0 years
0 pts
1 year
1 pt
2 years
2 pts
3+ years
3 pts

Aug 2026 redesign caps NZ work-experience points at 2 and introduces two new sub-pathways: Trades & Technician, and Skilled Work Experience.

Core eligibility requirements

AgeHard cap; no points reduction within range
55 or under
EnglishOr PTE/TOEFL/OET equivalent. SA passport NOT exempt.
IELTS 6.5 (each band)
Job offerSkilled, full-time, at or above median wage
Accredited employer required
HealthAt an INZ-approved panel physician
Pass medical exam
CharacterFrom every country lived 12+ months since age 17
Pass police clearances

AEWV — the work-to-residence pathway

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the most common starting point for South African applicants who can't immediately secure a SMC-eligible offer from outside NZ.

  • Up to 3 years' validity, tied to your accredited employer
  • NZD ~750 application fee + immigration health surcharge
  • Processing typically 2-4 months
  • Time spent in NZ on AEWV counts toward SMC's NZ work experience points
  • Spouse can get an open work visa
  • Children get student visas with domestic fees if state schools

The Green List — fast-track for shortage occupations

The Green List bypasses parts of the SMC process for occupations in critical shortage. Two tiers:

Tier 1 — Straight to Residence: Direct PR from arrival. Doctors, vets, civil engineers, ICT security specialists, secondary teachers (specific subjects), etc.
Tier 2 — Work to Residence: 24 months on AEWV in a Tier 2 role, then apply for residence. Diesel mechanics, electricians, primary teachers, registered nurses (excluding mental health), and others.

Software engineers are not on the Green List currently — fall back to standard SMC + AEWV.

Notes for South African applicants

English test required — SA passport holders are NOT exempt. Take IELTS General, PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT, or CAE.

Visa required for entry — short-term visitor visa or eVisa for short stays.

SA Honours degree typically maps to Level 8 on the NZ qualification framework (above Bachelor's). Worth getting an NZQA assessment for points clarity.

Notable SA community in Auckland and Wellington — concentrated in tech, healthcare, and trades.

Distance — typically routed via Australia or Asia (16-18 hours total). No direct flights from SA.

Citizenship — 5 years residence (longest of the three destination countries), but pathway is well-defined.

Compare NZ to AU and CA

Run your profile through the country comparison to see how NZ stacks up.

This is general information only, not personal immigration advice. Self Migrate is not registered with the IAA, MARA, or CICC. For advice specific to your situation, consult an IAA-licensed adviser or NZ immigration lawyer.