🇳🇿 New Zealand skilled migration: how long the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa takes, what it costs, and whether it leads to permanent residence

Quoted from the pages named beside each rule, not paraphrased.

Age

You must be aged 55 or younger when you apply.

Source: Immigration New Zealand · verified 2026-08-15

Language

Principal applicant: IELTS Academic or General Training overall 6.5 or more, or TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 58, Cambridge B2 First / B2 First for Schools 176, or OET Grade C+ or higher in all 4 skills — in-person tests no more than 2 years old. Exemptions include citizenship of Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States with at least 5 years working or studying in one of those countries or in Australia or New Zealand, or a comparable bachelor's (2 years' residence while studying) or postgraduate (1 year) qualification from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States. Partner and dependent children aged 16 or older: IELTS 5 or more (or listed equivalent) or pre-purchase English lessons. Children younger than 16 have no English requirement.

Source: Immigration New Zealand · verified 2026-08-15

Points-based

You need 6 skilled resident points. Claim 3 to 6 points from one skill category — qualification, occupational registration, or income — and up to 3 more from New Zealand skilled work experience. You cannot mix skill categories.

At least 6

Source: Immigration New Zealand · verified 2026-09-22

Skilled Work Experience

Skilled Work Experience pathway: there is no 6-point test. You need an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 job or job offer, at least 3 years of relevant work experience plus an additional 2 years of New Zealand skilled work experience. Self-employment does not count. Jobs on the Red List, and ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs, cannot use this pathway. Amber List jobs must be paid at 1.2× the median wage.

Source: Immigration New Zealand · verified 2026-09-22

Trades and Technician

Trades and Technician pathway: there is no 6-point test. You need an eligible trades or technician occupation, a relevant qualification at level 4 or higher or comparable to level 4 or higher, and at least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience plus an additional 1.5 years of New Zealand post-qualification skilled work. Self-employment does not count. Pay must be at least 1× the median wage.

Source: Immigration New Zealand · verified 2026-09-22