Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Your New Zealand job offer is your ticket to residency
Line up a skilled job with an accredited employer, hit 6 points, and you move to New Zealand as a resident. Not a temporary worker.
One route, straight to resident
Most work visas make you prove yourself for years first. The Skilled Migrant Category skips that. With a skilled job offer from an accredited employer and 6 points, you'll apply for residency up front. You'd file an Expression of Interest; if you're selected, then you're invited to apply.
6 points
What you need before you can apply
Registration, qualification, or income
Age 55
The age limit on the day you apply
No exceptions above it
2 years
Then you apply for permanent residence
Live and work here indefinitely
$35/hr
The 2026 median wage your job must meet
1.5x that for lower-skilled roles
How you hit six points
You claim 3 to 6 points from one thing: a New Zealand occupational registration, a recognized qualification, or your income. Top up with points for skilled work here, one per year. Get all 6 from a single category, and you don't need any New Zealand experience first.
- Nurses, engineers, and teachers score on registration
- A bachelor's degree or higher carries weight
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
For professionals with a skilled job offer in NZ. Leads to residency. Must meet health, character, and English requirements.
- Processing time
- ~90 days
- Timeline
- Permanent residency pathway
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Key requirements
- Age 55 or under
- Skilled job offer in NZ
- English fluency
- Health and character checks
- Proof of qualifications
The tax welcome mat
Here's the good news. You get a 4-year exemption on most foreign income as a new migrant, so your overseas dividends, interest, and rent stay untaxed here while you settle. New Zealand has no general capital gains tax, either. If you're American, you'll still file with the IRS every year.
You don't have to sort this alone
The points math is where people get tripped up. These vetted partners help you land the job, get the visa right, and settle in once you arrive.
Working In New Zealand
New Zealand Relocation Specialist
A New Zealand relocation specialist who handles skilled work visas and the full move.
Sean Novak
New Zealand Local Guide
A local guide in Hawke's Bay who helps new arrivals find their feet, LGBTQ+ movers included.
Simon Conn
International Mortgage Lending
International mortgage help for expats buying property in New Zealand.
Where skilled workers land
Auckland
Jobs and the big city
The largest, most diverse city and by far the deepest job market, wrapped around two harbors with beaches and vineyards in easy reach. You pay for it in rent, and traffic can test you, but if you're moving for work this is where most skilled roles actually live.
Wellington
Capital and creative
The compact, walkable capital, heavy on arts, coffee, and government and tech jobs. Windy and built on hills, but you can cross the whole city on foot, and its waterfront and cafe culture win a lot of people over fast.
Christchurch
Space and value
The South Island's hub, rebuilt and noticeably roomier than the North Island, with cheaper housing and the Southern Alps barely an hour away. Skiing, hiking, and a calmer pace make it a favorite with families stretching a budget.
Queenstown
Mountains and adventure
A lakeside town under the Remarkables where skiing, hiking, and every adrenaline sport ever invented sit within half an hour. It is the priciest place in New Zealand, housing is scarce and seasonal, and the whole town runs on tourism, so it can feel like a holiday that never ends.
Skilled Migrant Category questions
How does the 6-point system work?
You claim 3 to 6 points from one skill category: your New Zealand occupational registration, a recognized qualification, or your income. You can add up to 3 more points for skilled work in New Zealand, one point per year, until you reach 6.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. You must be 55 or younger on the day you apply. You also need to meet English, health, and character requirements, including police certificates.
Is this a permanent visa?
It's a resident visa, so you can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely from the start. After you've held it for two years, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which lets you travel in and out with no time limit.
Do I need a job offer before I apply?
Yes. The Skilled Migrant Category is built around skilled employment. You need a skilled job or job offer with an accredited employer, for at least 30 hours a week, before you can be granted residence.
How much do I have to earn?
Your pay has to meet the median wage, which rose to NZD $35.00 an hour on 9 March 2026. Roles classified as lower-skilled must pay at least 1.5 times that, currently $52.50 an hour. Wage thresholds change each year, so confirm the current figure before you apply.
What's changing in August 2026?
From 24 August 2026, Immigration New Zealand adds two new pathways, one for skilled work experience and one for trades and technicians, and trims the New Zealand work experience most applicants need. The current 6-point route stays open, so it's worth checking which path fits you best.
Can Expatsi help me find a job in New Zealand?
Our vetted New Zealand partners help with the job search, employer accreditation, and the visa itself. Take the Expatsi Test and we'll point you to the right people for your situation.
See if New Zealand is your move.
Thousands of Americans have already moved abroad.
Why not you?