The Skilled Work Experience Pathway: NZ Residence from Experience Alone

The Skilled Work Experience pathway is a new Skilled Migrant Category route, effective 24 August 2026, that lets experienced workers gain New Zealand residence on work experience alone, with no degree or points calculation. It is for people in ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupations paid at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold, with around five years of relevant skilled experience.

What is the Skilled Work Experience pathway?

From 24 August 2026 the Skilled Migrant Category offers three routes to residence: the existing points-based pathway, the new Trades and Technician pathway, and the new Skilled Work Experience pathway (immigration.govt.nz). The Skilled Work Experience pathway is built for skilled migrants who do not hold a recognised qualification but have substantial, well-paid experience in a skilled occupation. Instead of accumulating six points, you qualify by demonstrating the right occupation, the right pay rate, and enough relevant work experience.

For background on the wider reform, see our guide to the SMC changes on 24 August 2026 and the SMC points system explained.

Who is eligible for the Skilled Work Experience pathway in 2026?

The standard pathway has three core requirements (immigration.govt.nz):

• Occupation: you work in, or hold a job offer for, an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation.
• Pay: the role pays at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold, which is NZD $38.50 per hour from 9 March 2026 (immigration.govt.nz).
• Experience: at least 3 years of relevant work experience in an ANZSCO 1 to 3 occupation, plus an additional 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand in an ANZSCO 1 to 3 occupation paid at least 1.1 times the median. INZ summarises this as around 5 years total, including 2 years in New Zealand at 1.1 times.

A note on location: the operational requirement describes the first 3 years as “relevant work experience” without stating it must be in New Zealand, while the additional 2 years is explicitly New Zealand experience. Because INZ does not spell out the location of the first component in the same words for every cohort, confirm how your own experience is counted against the current INZ operational page (immigration.govt.nz) before you commit to a timeline.

What wage rate do I need? ($38.50 vs $42.00)

Wage thresholds are tied to the SMC median and updated annually, so always re-check the current figure with INZ before applying. The thresholds that apply to this pathway from 9 March 2026 are:

Source: immigration.govt.nz. Note that the threshold which generally applies is the one in effect when you started accruing the relevant skilled work experience, not the rate at the time you are invited to apply.

What is excluded from the Skilled Work Experience pathway?

Several things commonly trip people up:

• ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 occupations are excluded. This pathway is for skill level 1 to 3 roles only.
• Red List occupations are excluded from both new pathways. Red List applicants can still pursue the existing points-based pathway by reaching 6 points, for example by earning at least 1.5 times the median, holding a Bachelor’s (NZQCF Level 7) or above, or holding a recognised occupational registration with the required New Zealand skilled work experience (immigration.govt.nz).
• Self-employment cannot count as relevant work experience for this pathway.

The six Red List occupations are: Beauty Therapist (451111), Hair or Beauty Salon Manager (142114), Hairdresser (391111), Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec (149999), Massage Therapist (411611), and Retail Manager General (142111). For the full picture, read our breakdown of the Red List and Amber List occupations.

How does the amber-list variation work?

Amber-list occupations are eligible for the Skilled Work Experience pathway only, and on stricter terms. Instead of the standard 3-plus-2 structure, amber roles require at least 5 years of relevant eligible work experience in New Zealand, including 2 years of skilled work experience earning at least 1.2 times the SMC median wage (NZD $42.00 per hour from 9 March 2026) (immigration.govt.nz). The 1.2 times rate applies to that 2-year subcomponent specifically; it is not a blanket pay floor across all five years.

Amber-list applicants also keep the option of the existing points-based pathway if they earn at least 1.5 times the median, hold a Bachelor’s (NZQCF Level 7) or above, or hold a recognised occupational registration.

The 14 amber-list occupations are:

How are the work-experience timeframes counted?

Two timing rules shape who can use this pathway (immigration.govt.nz):

• Relevant work experience must fall within the 10 years before your residence application.
• Skilled work experience must fall within a window twice the length of the experience you need. For example, 2 years of required skilled experience must sit within the 4 years before you apply.

These windows mean older experience can expire, so the order in which you count your years matters. If you are close to the threshold, it is worth mapping your dates carefully before lodging.

How does this compare to the Trades and Technician pathway?

The two new pathways serve different profiles. The Skilled Work Experience pathway needs no qualification but more experience; the Trades and Technician pathway needs a qualification but accepts less experience and a lower wage floor.

For the qualification-led route, see our Trades and Technician pathway guide. If you arrived on a work visa, our AEWV 2025 changes explained covers how your time on that visa fits the picture. You can also review the full Skilled Migrant Category resident visa.

Current as at 2026-06-29, based on Immigration New Zealand policy. For advice on your own situation, talk to a ProVisas Licensed Immigration Adviser (IAA Licence 201301110).

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Skilled Work Experience pathway for?

It is for skilled migrants in ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupations who do not hold a recognised qualification but have substantial, well-paid New Zealand and relevant work experience. It lets you seek residence on experience alone, without a points calculation, from 24 August 2026.

How much work experience do I need?

For standard occupations, at least 3 years of relevant work experience in an ANZSCO 1 to 3 occupation, plus an additional 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand paid at least 1.1 times the median, which INZ summarises as around 5 years total including 2 years in New Zealand.

What wage rate qualifies for the Skilled Work Experience pathway?

Standard roles must pay at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold, which is NZD $38.50 per hour from 9 March 2026. For amber-list roles, the 2-year New Zealand subcomponent must earn at least 1.2 times the median, NZD $42.00 per hour. Rates update annually, so check the current figure with INZ.

Can self-employment count toward the experience?

No. Self-employment cannot count as relevant work experience for the Skilled Work Experience pathway. Only employed skilled work experience in an eligible occupation counts.

Which occupations are excluded?

ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 occupations are excluded, and Red List occupations are excluded from both new pathways. Red List applicants can still use the existing points-based pathway by reaching 6 points. Amber-list occupations are eligible for the Skilled Work Experience pathway only, on stricter terms.

Talk to a ProVisas adviser

Mapping five years of experience against the right occupation and wage thresholds is detail-heavy, and the timing windows can disqualify older experience. We assess your experience and pay history against current INZ requirements and prepare your application to meet them. Book a consultation or check your eligibility to get started.