A residence visa for skilled workers who have a job or job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand and meet the points requirements to live permanently.
Live, work and study
mostly completed within
Starting From
The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa is a points-based pathway to residence for people who are already working in New Zealand, or who hold a skilled job offer from an accredited employer.
You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be able to claim at least 6 skilled resident points. If your EOI meets Immigration New Zealand’s requirements, you may be invited to apply for residence.
This visa is suitable for applicants who:
Age Limit: Are 55 years of age or younger
Employment: Have a full-time skilled job or job offer with an accredited employer
Eligibility : Meet skill, pay, and ANZSCO requirements
Language Obligation: You must understand and speak English fluently.
Health and Character Requirements: You must meet health and character requirements.
Immigration New Zealand looks beyond job titles when assessing skilled employment. Your role must be genuine, lawfully obtained, and appropriate for the business.
Full-time employment (minimum 30 hours per week)
Employment with an accredited employer
Pay meeting the required threshold:
Ongoing employment (permanent or fixed-term of at least 12 months)
Your job description, actual duties, and the employer’s business structure must align with ANZSCO expectations.
To qualify, you must claim 6 points in total. Points are made up of:
3-6 points from one primary skill category:
Also, up to 3 additional points from skilled work experience gained in New Zealand(if required)
Choosing the correct points strategy is important. Points cannot be mixed freely, and skilled work experience can only be used in specific circumstances.
You must show that you can speak and understand English. This can usually be done through:
An approved English language test, or
Evidence of study or work in recognised English-speaking countries
Partners and dependent children aged 16 or over must also meet English language requirements or pre-purchase English language tuition if permitted.
You can include:
• Your partner
• Your dependent children aged 24 or younger
Evidence of study or work in recognised English-speaking countries
All family members must meet health, character, and (where applicable) English language requirements.
With this visa, you can:
Live, work, and study anywhere in New Zealand
Travel in and out of New Zealand while your travel conditions are valid
Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years, if conditions are met
Become eligible for New Zealand citizenship after meeting residence requirements
Residence applications involve complex instructions, evidence thresholds, and long-term consequences. We ensure your points, employment, and documents align correctly withImmigration New Zealand requirements - giving your application the best possible chance of success.
Disclaimer: Immigration requirements can change, and every case is different. This page offers a simplified summary only. Unite Immigration will assess your situation carefully and guide you with personalised advice.
Licence Number
202100808 →
