The single-category trap (read this first)
An easy SMC mistake: adding categories together.
✗ Wrong
NZ Bachelor's (5) + job at 1.5× the SMC wage threshold (3) = 8 points? No. These are both "skill category" points — you can only use one. You have 5 points.
✓ Right
NZ Bachelor's (5) + 1 year of NZ skilled experience in the last 2 (1) = 6 points. Only NZ work experience stacks on top of your single best category.
Formula: best ONE of (registration / qualification / income) + NZ skilled experience (max 3) ≥ 6.
The full points table
| Category (pick ONE) | 3 pts | 4 pts | 5 pts | 6 pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ occupational registration (by training years) | 2–3 yrs | 4 yrs | 5 yrs | 6+ yrs |
| Qualification (NZ vs overseas, from 24 Aug 2026) | — | Overseas Bachelor's (L7); overseas L8 + a Bachelor's | NZ Bachelor's (L7); NZ L8 + a Bachelor's; NZ Master's alone; overseas Master's + a Bachelor's | Doctorate (L10); NZ Master's + a Bachelor's |
| Income (SMC wage threshold, rates from 9 Mar 2026) | $52.50/h (1.5×) | $70.00/h (2×) | — | $105.00/h (3×) |
| + NZ skilled work experience (stacks) | 1 yr in the last 2 = 1 pt · 1 yr 6 mo in the last 3 = 2 pts · 2 yrs in the last 4 = 3 pts (max) | |||
Source: INZ operational manual SR3.25 (Points-based pathway), effective 24/08/2026; wage rates from SR3.10.5 (SMC wage threshold $35.00/hour from 9 March 2026). The previous table, SR3.15 Points Summary, closed on 23/08/2026.
What else the SMC requires
- The job is the gate. Unlike Australia's points system, you can't apply without skilled employment or an offer from an accredited employer — points only matter after that.
- Age 55 or under at application.
- English: IELTS 6.5+ (or equivalent), with exemptions for some backgrounds.
- Health & character certificates for you and family included in the application.
- Process: Expression of Interest → Invitation to Apply → residence application. Straightforward cases have been processing in weeks–months under the 6-point system.
Frequently asked questions
Q. I have a Master's but my job pays 1.5× the SMC wage threshold. Which counts?
A. Your best single category — the Master's beats the income (3 points). From 24 Aug 2026 a NZ Master's on its own is 5 points, and a NZ Master's plus a Bachelor's degree is 6. At 5 points, 1 year of NZ skilled experience in the last 2 years takes you to 6.
Q. Does overseas work experience count?
A. Not for the Points-based pathway — only skilled work experience in New Zealand earns the +1/+2/+3, and from 24 Aug 2026 that means 1 year in the last 2 (1 pt), 1 yr 6 mo in the last 3 (2 pts), or 2 years in the last 4 (3 pts). Overseas experience can count towards the separate Skilled Work Experience pathway (SR3.35), which this calculator does not score.
Q. My occupation needs registration in NZ (nurse, electrician, teacher). Is that automatic points?
A. You must actually hold full or provisional NZ registration, and the occupation must be on the eligible list (SR3.30). The points depend on the training time the registration requires, not your personal experience.
Q. What if I can't reach 6 points at all?
A. Check the Green List: Tier 1 occupations get Straight to Residence (no points), Tier 2 gets Work to Residence after 24 months. Since 24 Aug 2026 there are also two non-points pathways — Skilled Work Experience (SR3.35, 3 years relevant experience plus 2 more in NZ at 1.1–1.2× the threshold) and Trades and Technician (SR3.40, a Level 4+ qualification plus 2 yr 6 mo experience and 18 more months in NZ).
SMC document checklist (save your progress)
Tick each item as you gather it. Progress is saved in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Sources and official references: Immigration New Zealand — Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa; Immigration New Zealand — Pay rates for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. Measured 1 September 2026 by direct fetch of the INZ operational manual. SR3.10, SR3.25, SR3.35 and SR3.40 all carry "Effective 24/08/2026"; the old points table is now titled "SR3.15 Points Summary (to 23/08/2026)". Figure by figure: wage threshold $35.00/h from 9 Mar 2026 and every multiplier ($38.50 / $42.00 / $52.50 / $70.00 / $105.00) and every earlier row back to 2020 — SR3.10.5; income 3 pts / 4 pts / 6 pts at 1.5× / 2× / 3× — SR3.25.10; qualification points and the NZ-vs-overseas split — SR3.25.15; registration points 6/5/4/3 — SR3.25.20, SR3.30; NZ experience 2 yrs in the last 4 = 3, 1 yr 6 mo in the last 3 = 2, 1 yr in the last 2 = 1 — SR3.25.25; this pathway's pay floor, including the ANZSCO 4–5 / not-in-ANZSCO route at 1.5× — SR3.25.1; which threshold date binds you — SR3.10(f). For the two new pathways: Skilled Work Experience needs ANZSCO 1–3 not on the Red List (Appendix 22) at 1.1× (1.2× on the Amber List, Appendix 21) — SR3.35.1 — and 5 years total, being 3 years directly relevant plus 2 more in NZ — SR3.35.5; Trades and Technician needs an Appendix 23 occupation paid at the threshold — SR3.40.1 — an NZQCF Level 4+ qualification — SR3.40.5 — and 4 years total, being 2 yrs 6 mo relevant plus 18 months in NZ, all accrued after the qualification — SR3.40.10. Note SR3.40.1 itself does not restrict the job to ANZSCO 1–3 (the SR3.10 Column C summary does); SR3.40.10.1 and SR3.40.10.5 restrict the work experience to ANZSCO 1–3. Not verified, so not published here: which occupations sit on Appendix 21, 22 or 23 — those appendix pages were not collected, so the screener asks you which list applies rather than looking it up; the SR3.30 registration table beyond confirming it awards 6/5/4/3; and whether any transitional rule grandfathers the old points table for applications already in the queue — SR3.10(f) fixes the wage-threshold date but says nothing about the points table itself, and no such clause was found. This calculator provides an estimate only and is not immigration advice. This calculator provides an estimate only and is not immigration advice. Verify with INZ or a Licensed Immigration Adviser (IAA) before applying.