Skilled Migrant Category visa: Eligibility, IELTS requirements, and how to apply

If you want to stay in New Zealand long term, you may already be looking at the Skilled Migrant Category visa.

It is one of New Zealand’s main residence pathways.

But getting approved depends on more than just having a job.

Your points, salary, qualification, and English requirements all need to meet the rules. This guide explains how it all works clearly.

Book IELTS for migration

Confirmed rules for the Trades and Technician pathway

The Trades and Technician pathway, first announced in September 2025, now has confirmed eligibility rules and occupation lists.

New red and amber occupation lists introduced

New red and amber occupation lists now affect who can use the new SMC pathways.

• Red-list occupations cannot apply through the new pathways.

• Amber list occupations may apply through the Skilled Work Experience pathway, but must meet extra conditions.

If your job is on the amber list, you must have:

• 5 years of relevant work experience in New Zealand.

• including 2 years paid at 1.2× the SMC median wage.

Higher wage thresholds now apply

The SMC median wage increased on 9 March 2026, which means some applicants now need higher pay to qualify.

Current wage thresholds are:

• ANZSCO skill levels 1–3: at least NZD $35.00 per hour

• ANZSCO skill levels 4–5: at least NZD $52.50 per hour

If you want to claim points based on income, the higher thresholds are:

• 3 points: NZD $52.50 per hour

• 4 points: NZD $70.00 per hour

• 6 points: NZD $105.00 per hour

New Zealand qualifications will receive one additional SMC point 

From August 2026, a New Zealand Level 7 bachelor’s degree, Level 8 postgraduate qualification, Level 9 master’s degree, or Level 10 doctoral degree will receive one additional SMC point compared with equivalent overseas qualifications.

English test results are valid for up to 5 years for registered professionals

From late August 2026, applicants who have recognised occupational registration may use English language test results that are valid for up to 5 years instead of the usual shorter validity period.

Not sure how these new SMC updates affect your migration plans in New Zealand? Don’t hesitate to talk to our migration experts for guidance.

The Skilled Migrant Category visa is a points-based residence visa for people who have a job or job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand. Your qualification, income, occupational registration, or local work experience may all count towards the 6 points you need to apply.

You can apply for the Skilled Migrant Category visa if you meet the main residence requirements set by Immigration New Zealand.

To qualify, you must:

• Be 55 or younger when you apply.

• Have a skilled full-time job or job offer in New Zealand from an accredited employer.

• Have at least 6 skilled resident points.

• Meet health requirements.

• Meet character requirements.

• Meet the English language requirement.

The main applicant needs an IELTS overall score of 6.5 for a Skilled Migrant Category application. Partners and dependent children aged 16 or older need an overall score of 5.0..

Accepted IELTS formats

Immigration New Zealand accepts:

• IELTS Academic

• IELTS General Training

• IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

Score validity

Your IELTS result is usually accepted if it is less than 2 years old when you submit your application.

Can you apply for the Skilled Migrant Category without IELTS?

Yes, sometimes you can apply without IELTS if you already meet one of Immigration New Zealand’s accepted English exemptions.

This may apply if you have:

• citizenship from a recognised English-speaking country.

• completed an eligible study taught in English.

• qualification evidence that Immigration New Zealand accepts as proof of English ability.

If you do not meet one of these exemptions, you will usually need IELTS or another accepted English test.

The application fee for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa starts from NZD $6,450 in 2026. This fee is paid when you submit your full residence application after receiving an invitation to apply.

A job is considered skilled if it meets New Zealand’s work, pay, and occupation rules under the Skilled Migrant Category. Immigration New Zealand checks your hours, employer, salary, and whether your duties match the correct occupation.

Minimum work hours

Your job must be full-time, which means at least 30 hours each week.

Accredited employer

Your employer must be approved by Immigration New Zealand to hire migrant workers under New Zealand immigration rules. This is called an accredited employer.

Wage threshold

Your salary, or hourly pay, must meet the current minimum skilled wage:

• ANZSCO skill levels 1 to 3: at least NZD $35.00 per hour.

• ANZSCO skill levels 4 to 5: at least NZD $52.50 per hour.

ANZSCO job match

Your job title and daily duties must match the correct ANZSCO occupation code. Immigration New Zealand checks what you actually do at work, not just your job title.

Check your ANSZCO skill level.

You need at least 6 points before you can apply and submit an expression of interest for the Skilled Migrant Category visa. You first claim points from one main category, then add skilled work experience if you still need more.

Points from occupational registration

Some professions can claim points through New Zealand registration.

This usually applies to licensed roles such as nursing, teaching, engineering, and other regulated professions.

The longer the registration pathway takes, the more points you can claim.

If you don’t get 6 points from occupational registration, you can use skilled work experience in New Zealand to add more points. However, if you choose this option, you can’t use qualifications or income to claim extra points.

Points from qualifications

You can claim points based on your highest recognised qualification.

If your qualification matches a New Zealand qualification

You can claim:

If your overseas qualification does not fully match a New Zealand qualification

You may still claim:

Your qualification must usually be recognised in New Zealand. If you studied outside New Zealand, you may need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA). 

Note: You cannot claim points for a non-degree qualification at level 7 or below.

Points from income

You can also claim points if your salary meets New Zealand’s 'wage threshold'. 

‘Wage threshold' is the minimum pay rate you have to meet to be eligible for a visa.

This must be based on your current New Zealand job or job offer.

Points from skilled work experience in New Zealand

If your main category does not give you 6 points, you may add points from skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Your work must be full-time and meet the required wage level during the full period you are claiming.

You can’t combine qualification, income, and registration points. You must choose one main category first, then use work experience only if you still need more points.

The Skilled Migrant Category application happens in steps. You first show that you meet the main requirements, then Immigration New Zealand checks your full documents.

1. Submit your expression of interest

You first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online and declare your points. There is no fee for submitting an EOI. 

2. Wait for your invitation to apply

If your EOI meets the rules, Immigration New Zealand may invite you to apply for residence.

3. Prepare your documents, if you are invited to apply

You usually need:

• passport

• job documents

• qualification documents

• police certificates

• health checks

• English evidence, such as IELTS, if required

4. Submit your residence application

Fill in your application, upload your documents and pay the visa application fee.

5. Wait for a decision

After you submit your application, Immigration New Zealand may contact you if they need extra documents or more information before making a final decision.

If your application is approved, you will receive an email with the decision and your eVisa.

More than your resident points, your English ability is one of the key requirements you must meet to qualify for the Skilled Migrant Category visa. And with a high-stakes opportunity like residence in New Zealand, you want an English test that is trusted and widely accepted around the world.

Here’s how IELTS supports your SMC application.

Free IELTS preparation materials

We offer a wide range of free preparation materials, including practice tests, video tutorials, vodcasts by IELTS experts, and articles to help you prepare for your test. 

Full IELTS mock test 

You can take our full mock test, so you can see your current score level and identify which skills you may need to improve before taking the official test.

Choice of IELTS Academic or General Training

IELTS Academic and General Training are both accepted for Skilled Migrant Category applications. The General Training test focuses on everyday English used in work and daily life, which can be helpful if you are taking the test mainly for migration or employment.

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

Immigration New Zealand also accepts IELTS One Skill Retake, which allows you to retake just one section of the test if you miss your required score in a single skill.

This can save you time, reduce extra test costs, and help you move forward faster without having to repeat the whole test.

If residence is part of your long-term plan, it helps to understand both your English requirement and your wider pathway early.

We can help you book IELTS, explain the score you may need for your visa, and compare study options if your qualification is still part of your next step. 

If you also want advice based on your own visa situation, you can speak with IDP migration experts.