New SMC Pathway Opening

Steve Baker • July 13, 2026

The new Skilled Migrant Residency pathways due to open on 24th August 2026 have been released by INZ.

An Age Restriction still applies along with English language, health, and Character requirements.


The new available routes: Skilled Work Experience pathway &  Trades and Technician pathways are detailed below:

Many candidates will not meet the eligibility criteria for these new pathways.

This is because their Skilled experience can only be counted if their pay rate met the threshold requirements for the required time. 


Also, all Skilled experience can only be counted if completed within 10 years of Residence application and also within twice the amount of experience being claimed. 


If you arrived in NZ within 5 months of your visa’s approval and started your role, you must have met the SMC Wage threshold in effect at that time, for your Skilled work experience to be counted. 


See required dates & pay rate requirements below:


If you wish to get your situation assessed more accurately, please get in touch with Steve for an assessment.

*A service fee of $175 + GST applies. 


(This is a complementary service for all Enterprise Recruitment Employees).

Contact Steve
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