SMC EOI 2026: How to Submit One Now, and What the Cutover Changed

Update, 24 August 2026: the cutover this article covered has now happened. The SMC EOI form was replaced, unsubmitted draft EOIs were deleted, and the new points settings and pathways are in force. If you did not submit in time, start with your options under the new rules. The rest of this page records how the cutover worked.

EOIs submitted before 24 August 2026 are assessed under the previous rules. On that date the SMC EOI form changed and any draft (unsubmitted) EOI expired and was deleted (immigration.govt.nz). A deleted draft cannot be recovered: you restart on the new form.

How do you submit an SMC EOI now?

An Expression of Interest is the first step of the Skilled Migrant Category. You complete it in your INZ online account, there is no fee to submit an EOI, and it is assessed against the rules in force on the day you submit (immigration.govt.nz).

Since 24 August 2026 the EOI is assessed against three pathways rather than one, and you indicate which you are claiming:

Before you start, three things save the most time: confirm your occupation’s ANZSCO code and skill level, check whether your qualification needs an International Qualifications Assessment, and confirm your wage against the current threshold. An EOI built on an assumed code or an unassessed qualification is the most common reason a claim does not hold up.

The full requirements sit on the Skilled Migrant Category visa page, and the points system guide works through how points are counted.

What did submitting before 24 August 2026 mean?

Submitting before 24 August 2026 was the way to be assessed under the previous rules. On 24 August 2026 the SMC EOI form changed and the new points settings and pathways took effect (immigration.govt.nz). Whether the previous or new rules favour a given profile depends on qualifications, wage, and work experience. We compared the two rule sets in our before-or-after guide.

What happened to draft EOIs on 24 August 2026?

A draft EOI is one you started but had not yet submitted. On 24 August 2026 the SMC EOI form was replaced, and any draft EOI that had not been submitted was deleted (immigration.govt.nz). Practically:

• A draft saved in your account before 24 August 2026 is gone if it was not submitted.
• The information you entered does not carry over to the new form.
• To proceed you complete a fresh EOI on the new form, which reflects the updated rules.

A half-finished EOI was not a placeholder that held your spot. Only a submitted EOI is assessed under the previous rules.

How do I restart on the new SMC form?

If you missed the cutover, the new EOI form is available now (immigration.govt.nz). You build a new EOI from scratch against the updated framework, which includes three pathways:

The points settings also shifted on 24 August 2026: NZ-completed qualifications generally earn one more point than the same qualification gained overseas (with some exceptions), and less NZ skilled work experience is now needed to claim points (immigration.govt.nz). For a full breakdown see our summary of the 24 August 2026 changes.

Previous rules versus new rules, in brief

The headline figures stay the same in one respect: the points threshold is still 6 points plus a skilled job or job offer. What changed is how you reach those points and which pathways exist.

• Previous rules (EOIs submitted before 24 August 2026): the old points table and the single SMC residence pathway.
• New rules (from 24 August 2026): revised qualification points, reduced NZ work-experience requirements, and two additional pathways (Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technician).

The wage threshold figures that feed these decisions are updated periodically. From 9 March 2026 the SMC wage threshold (1.0x) is NZD $35.00 per hour, with 1.1x at NZD $38.50 per hour (immigration.govt.nz). Always re-check the current rate on INZ before you rely on it. Which set of rules works in your favour is a personal calculation, and the right call differs from person to person.

What to do now the cutover has happened

1. Check where your EOI stands. If you submitted before 24 August 2026, your EOI is assessed under the previous rules and nothing changes for you.
2. If your draft was deleted, map your position under the new rules before restarting. For many profiles the new settings are more favourable: New Zealand qualifications earn more points, less NZ work experience is needed for the maximum experience points, and two non-points pathways now exist. Our guide to your options under the new rules works through it.
3. Start any qualification assessment early. If you are relying on an overseas qualification for points, you may need an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) from NZQA unless your qualification is on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment. Allow time and check current NZQA timeframes (nzqa.govt.nz). Our IQA guide explains the process.
4. Talk to your employer. Confirm your job details, wage, and that the role meets the genuine-employment expectations INZ applies.

Read the full Skilled Migrant Category overview before you start, so the EOI matches the pathway you intend to use.

Current as at 2026-08-24, 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

Was my draft SMC EOI deleted on 24 August 2026?

Yes. The SMC EOI form was replaced on 24 August 2026 and any draft EOI that had not been submitted was deleted on that date. The information does not carry over to the new form, so you start a fresh EOI.

Do EOIs submitted before 24 August 2026 use the previous rules?

Yes. An EOI submitted before 24 August 2026 is assessed under the previous rules. A saved draft did not count. Every EOI started from 24 August 2026 uses the new form, the new points settings, and the new pathways.

What is the difference between a draft and a submitted EOI?

A draft is started but not lodged, and drafts were deleted at the cutover. A submitted EOI has been formally lodged in your INZ account, which is what determines whether you are assessed under the previous rules.

What should I do if I missed the 24 August 2026 deadline?

Map your position under the new rules before restarting your EOI. For many profiles the new settings are more favourable: New Zealand qualifications earn more points, less NZ work experience is needed, and two non-points pathways now exist. Then prepare a fresh EOI on the new form.

Are the new SMC rules better or worse for me?

It depends on your qualifications, wage, and work experience. NZ-completed qualifications now earn more points, the work-experience bands compressed, and two non-points pathways opened. We assess your individual position under the new settings.

Talk to us about your next step

The cutover has happened, and the right move now depends on your points position under the new settings. We can assess your position and prepare your new EOI to meet INZ requirements. Book a consultation or check your eligibility to get started.