01. Start by checking the three SMC pathways
The SMC is a skilled residence category, and not every applicant qualifies by adding up points from qualifications. INZ's current guidance lists three pathways. Meeting one of them is not enough on its own — you still need to meet the common requirements for employment, health, character and English.
| Pathway | What to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Points-based | Choose one type of skills points — qualifications, occupational registration or income — and, where needed, combine it with New Zealand skilled work experience to reach 6 points. | Check with the official points tool. |
| Skilled Work Experience | Relevant work experience, skilled work experience in New Zealand and the applicable wage requirements; some occupations have additional restrictions. | Check the occupation list and your experience records. |
| Trades and Technician | A role on the eligible list, a relevant qualification, and work experience gained after completing that qualification. | First confirm that your occupation and qualification are eligible. |
Holding a work visa or a high-level qualification does not automatically mean you meet the residence requirements. An approved SMC application gives you a Resident Visa; you can apply separately for a Permanent Resident Visa once you meet the further requirements.
Source: INZ guidance on the SMC pathways.
02. Evidence and wage changes in the announcement
The 18 June announcement confirmed that these changes take effect on 24 August. For most SMC applicants, wages can generally be assessed against the threshold that applied when they started gaining their skilled experience — this does not mean the wage requirement has been removed. The announcement also sets out rules for people who start the relevant job within five months of their work visa being approved, so check each requirement that applies to you.
- Qualifications: some Level 8 and Level 9 points claims require evidence of a supporting bachelor's degree. Overseas qualifications generally need an IQA or must be on the list of qualifications exempt from assessment; the announcement lists some exceptions.
- Trades and Technician: the 120-credit requirement does not apply to relevant overseas qualifications, but they must still be at the required level and meet the IQA requirements. Separate credit rules apply to New Zealand qualifications.
- Experience and employment: self-employment cannot be used to meet the directly relevant experience requirement for the two new pathways, and the genuine employment assessment for skilled residence has been clarified.
Source: INZ announcement of the final details. This article makes no promises about expedited qualification assessments or visa processing times.
03. Before your consultation, map out your timeline
Write down your current visa type and expiry date, the date your work visa was approved, the date you actually started work and every change in your pay. Have your qualification certificates, academic transcripts, any existing assessment results, employment contracts and pay records ready. Keeping the dates and documents together helps an adviser see which requirements still need to be checked.
- If you have an overseas qualification: first confirm whether it needs to be assessed and whether you need supporting qualification documents.
- If you are already working in New Zealand: gather evidence of your job duties, employment and pay.
- If you are about to graduate or change visas: tell us your study completion date, visa expiry date and job-search plans together.
These are suggestions to help you prepare for a consultation, not a complete document list or an assessment of your eligibility. Before you apply, rely on the immigration instructions in force and a licensed adviser's assessment of your individual case.