New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category needs six skilled resident points, not a hundred-point total. They come mainly from one of occupational registration, qualifications or income, plus New Zealand work experience.
Core requirements
Six skilled resident points are needed. This is not a running total in the tens or hundreds as in Canada or Australia.
Qualification points: 5 to 6 for New Zealand qualifications, 4 to 6 for international ones which require an International Qualification Assessment. A non-degree qualification at level 7 or below cannot be claimed.
Occupational registration scores 3 to 6 points depending on the years of training required, from two to six.
Income scores 3 to 6 points based on multiples of the Skilled Migrant Category income threshold.
One to two years of skilled New Zealand work experience adds up to 3 more points.
You must be aged 55 or younger when you apply. This is a hard limit that other strengths do not offset.
You need a job offer from, or current employment with, an accredited employer, and that employer must appear on the accredited employers list.
The position must be permanent, or fixed-term for at least 12 months.
You must be in good health: applicants aged 15 and over need a chest X-ray and a medical examination.
You must be of good character: applicants aged 17 and over need police certificates less than six months old. Expiring evidence is a common cause of delay.
Official sources
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident VisaImmigration New Zealand · Reviewed 2026-09-06
How immigration works in New Zealand — the process in order, the current figures with their dates, and what commonly blocks an application.
General educational information only, not personalized immigration or legal advice. Requirements can change; confirm them with the responsible government authority before acting. Next scheduled review: 2026-12-06.