Submit Your SMC EOI Before 24 August 2026: What to Know

If you want your Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest assessed under the current rules, submit it before 24 August 2026. On that date the SMC EOI form changes and any draft (unsubmitted) EOI expires and is deleted (immigration.govt.nz). A deleted draft cannot be recovered: you would restart on the new form.

Should I submit my SMC EOI before 24 August 2026?

If you are close to ready and your situation fits the current rules, submitting before 24 August 2026 is the way to be assessed under those rules. From 24 August 2026 the SMC EOI form changes and the new points settings and pathways take effect (immigration.govt.nz). Whether the current or new rules favour you depends on your qualifications, your wage, and your work experience. We work through that decision in our before-or-after guide.

What happens to a draft EOI on 24 August 2026?

A draft EOI is one you have started but not yet submitted. Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that on 24 August 2026, the SMC EOI form is replaced, and any draft EOI that has not been submitted is deleted (immigration.govt.nz). Practically:

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

So a half-finished EOI is not a placeholder that holds your spot. Only a submitted EOI is assessed under the current rules.

How do I restart on the new SMC form?

If you miss the cutover, the new EOI form becomes available on 24 August 2026 (immigration.govt.nz). You build a new EOI from scratch against the updated framework, which includes three pathways:

The points settings also shift 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 needed to claim points (immigration.govt.nz). For a full breakdown see our summary of the 24 August 2026 changes.

Current 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 changes is how you reach those points and which pathways exist.

• Current rules (before 24 August 2026): the existing 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.

Action checklist before the deadline

If you intend to submit before 24 August 2026, work backwards from that date:

1. Review your qualifications and points position. Confirm which qualifications you can claim and at what level.
2. 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.
3. Talk to your employer. Confirm your job offer details, wage, and that the role meets the genuine-employment expectations INZ applies.
4. Gather supporting evidence. Certificates, transcripts, and employment records take time to collect.
5. Submit, do not just save. A draft is not a submission. Only a submitted EOI before 24 August 2026 is assessed under the current rules.

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

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

Will my draft SMC EOI be deleted on 24 August 2026?

Yes. Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that the SMC EOI form changes on 24 August 2026 and any draft EOI that has not been submitted is deleted on that date. The information does not carry over to the new form, so you would start a fresh EOI.

Do I need to submit my SMC EOI before 24 August 2026 to use the current rules?

Yes. To be assessed under the current rules, your EOI must be submitted before 24 August 2026. A saved draft does not count. From 24 August 2026 the new points settings and pathways apply.

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

A draft is started but not lodged, and it can be 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 current rules.

What should I do before the 24 August 2026 deadline?

Review your qualifications and points, start any NZQA qualification assessment early, confirm your job offer and wage with your employer, gather supporting evidence, and submit (not just save) your EOI before the date.

Should I apply before or after 24 August 2026?

It depends on your qualifications, wage, and work experience. For some people the current rules are better; for others the new pathways are. We compare both in our before-or-after guide and assess your individual points position.

Talk to us before the deadline

Time matters with this cutover. If you are weighing up whether to submit before 24 August 2026, we can assess your points position and prepare your EOI to meet INZ requirements. Book a consultation or check your eligibility to get started.