Points Summary (Skilled Migrant Category)

At a glance

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa uses a points‑based system. Applicants must score a minimum number of points drawn from a single skill category (income, qualification, or New Zealand registration) and may add points for skilled work experience in New Zealand [SR3.15]. This page shows the points that can be claimed under each heading.

Definition

The Principal Applicant may qualify for points from one of the following skill categories [SR3.15]:

1. Income

Annualised wage level	Points
At least 3× the median wage (currently $105 per hour)	6
At least 2× the median wage (currently $70.00 per hour)	4
At least 1.5× the median wage (currently $52.50 per hour)	3

Median wage values are current as of 9 March 2026; hourly rates are illustrative and subject to change.

2. Qualification

NZQF level	Points
Level 10 – Doctoral Degree	6
Level 9 – Master’s Degree	5
Level 8 – Bachelor Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma	4
Level 8 – Postgraduate Certificate or Level 7 – Bachelor’s Degree	3

An International Qualifications Assessment that does not specify a listed qualification type may still qualify under SR3.25.5(b) [SR3.15].

3. New Zealand registration, licensing, or certification

A registration, licence, or certification listed at SR3.30 awards points as defined in that section. The available points are 6, 5, 4, or 3 depending on the occupation [SR3.15]. The full list of eligible registrations, licences, and certifications with their point values and requirements is set out below [SR3.30].

Health and Social Services

Registration Body	Occupation / Scope	Points	Requirements
New Zealand Dental Council	Endodontic Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Oral Medicine Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Oral Pathology Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Oral Surgery Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Orthodontic Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Paediatric Dentistry Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Periodontic Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Prosthodontic Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Public Health Dentistry (or Community Dentistry) Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Special Needs Dentistry Specialist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Dentist	5	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Clinical Dental Technology	4	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Dental Hygiene	3	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Dental Technology	3	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Dental Therapy	3	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Oral Health Therapy	3	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
	Orthodontic Auxillary	3	Registration with the New Zealand Dental Council
Dietitians Board	Dietitian	5	Registration with the Dietitians Board
Medical Council of New Zealand	Medical Practitioner – General, Vocational, Provisional General, Provisional Vocational, or Special Purpose Locum Tenens	6	Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand, or a letter of eligibility issued by the Medical Council of New Zealand
Medical Radiation Technologists Board	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist	6	Registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board
	Nuclear Medicine Technologist	6	Registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board
	Sonographer	6	Registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board
	Medical Imaging Technologist	3	Registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board
	Radiation Therapist	3	Registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board
Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand	Anaesthetic Technician	4	Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand
	Medical Laboratory Scientist	4	Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand
	Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician	3	Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand
	Medical Laboratory Technician	3	Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand
Midwifery Council	Midwife	4	Registration with the Midwifery Council
New Zealand Chiropractic Board	Chiropractor	5	Registration with the New Zealand Chiropractic Board
New Zealand Psychologists Board	Clinical Psychologist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
	Counselling Psychologist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
	Educational Psychologist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
	Neuropsychologist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
	Psychologist	6	Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
Nursing Council of New Zealand	Nursing Practitioner	6	Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand
	Registered Nurse	3	Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand
The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand	Occupational Therapist	3	Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand
Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board	Specialist Optometrist	6	Registration with the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board
	Optometrist	5	Registration with the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board
	Dispensing Optician	3	Registration with the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board
Osteopathic Council of New Zealand	Osteopath (Child and Adolescent Health)	5	Registration with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
	Osteopath (Gerontology)	5	Registration with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
	Osteopath (Pain Management)	5	Registration with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
	Osteopath (Western Medical Acupuncture and Related Needling Techniques)	5	Registration with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
	Osteopath (General)	4	Registration with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
	Osteopath (Special Purpose)	4	Registration with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
Paramedic Council	Paramedic	3	Registration with the Paramedic Council
Pharmacy Council of New Zealand	Pharmacist Prescriber	6	Registration with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
	Pharmacist	5	Registration with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand	Advanced Practice Physiotherapist	6	Registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand
	Physiotherapy Specialist	6	Registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand
	Physiotherapist	4	Registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand
Podiatrists Board of New Zealand	Podiatric Surgeon	4	Registration with the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand
	Podiatrist	3	Registration with the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand
	Podiatric Radiographic Imager	3	Registration with the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand
Psychotherapists Board	Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialist	5	Registration with the Psychotherapists Board
	Psychotherapist	5	Registration with the Psychotherapists Board
Social Workers Registration Board	Social Worker	4	Registration with the Social Workers Registration Board
Teaching Council of New Zealand	Registered Teacher	5	Registration and a Full 1 or Full 2 practicing certificate from the Teaching Council of New Zealand
Veterinary Council of New Zealand	Veterinarian	4	Registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand

Building and construction

Registration Body	Occupation / Scope	Points	Requirements
Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board	Licensed Cadastral Surveyor	6	Licence issued by the Cadastral Surveyors Licencing Board of New Zealand
Electrical Workers Registration Board	Electrician (endorsed mining)	4	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Cable Jointer	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Distribution Line Mechanic	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Electrical Engineer	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Electrical Installer	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Electrician	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Substation Maintainer	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Traction Line Mechanic	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
	Transmission Line Mechanic	3	Registration and practising licence from the Electrical Workers Registration Board
Engineering Associates Registration Board New Zealand	Registered Engineering Associate	6	Registration with the Engineering Associates Registration Board New Zealand
Engineering New Zealand	Chartered Professional Engineer	6	Registration with Engineering New Zealand
MBIE Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme	Carpentry Licence	4	Licence issued under the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme
	Design Licence	4	Licence issued under the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme
	Brick and Block Laying Licence	3	Licence issued under the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme
	External Plastering Licence	3	Licence issued under the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme
	Roofing Licence	3	Licence issued under the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme
	Site Licence	3	Licence issued under the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme
New Zealand Registered Architects Board	Architect	6	Registration with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board
Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board	Certifying Plumber	6	Registration with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
	Certifying Gasfitter	5	Registration with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
	Certifying Drainlayer	4	Registration with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
	Tradesman Plumber	4	Registration with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
	Tradesman Drainlayer	3	Registration with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
	Tradesman Gasfitter	3	Registration with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board

Professional and other trades

Registration Body	Occupation / Scope	Points	Requirements
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand	Chartered Accountant	6	Membership with Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand
Immigration Advisers Authority	Licensed Immigration Adviser	6	Licence issued by the Immigration Advisers Authority
Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency	Certificate of Fitness B Vehicle Inspector	6	Inspector certificate of appointment from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency
	Certificate of Fitness A Vehicle Inspector	4	Inspector certificate of appointment from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency
	Warrant of Fitness Vehicle Inspector	4	Inspector certificate of appointment from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency
New Zealand Law Society	Barrister Sole	6	Admission to the roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand and practising certificate as a Barrister with the New Zealand Law Society
	Barrister and Solicitor	4	Admission to the roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand
Maritime New Zealand	Master	6	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Master <3000GT	6	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Master <500GT	6	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Chief Mate	5	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Marine Engineer Class 1	5	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Marine Engineer Class 2	5	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Marine Engineer Class 2 <3000KW	5	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Marine Engineer Class 2 endorsed Chief Engineer	5	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Chief Mate <3000GT	4	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Electro-Technical Officer	4	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Master Yacht	4	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Master Yacht <500GT	4	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Chief Mate Yacht	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Integrated Rating	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Marine Engineer Class 3	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Marine Engineer Class 4	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Master <500GT Near Coastal	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Mate Fishing Vessel – Unlimited	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Skipper Coastal/Offshore	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Skipper Fishing Vessel – Limited	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Skipper Fishing Vessel – Unlimited	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Skipper Restricted Limits 3000GT Endorsement	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Skipper Restricted Limits 500GT Endorsement	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
	Watchkeeper Deck	3	Certification issued by Maritime New Zealand
Real Estate Authority of New Zealand	Licensed Agent	4	Licence issued by the Real Estate Authority of New Zealand

Effective 09/10/2023 [SR3.30]

Skilled work experience in New Zealand (bonus points)

On top of the points from one skill category, applicants can earn additional points for skilled work experience in New Zealand [SR3.15][SR3.35].

Skilled work experience in NZ	Points
3 years or more	3
2 years	2
1 year	1

Detailed criteria for skilled work experience in New Zealand

Eligibility periods [SR3.35]

• 36 months in the prior 60 months → 3 points
• 24 months in the prior 48 months → 2 points
• 12 months in the prior 24 months → 1 point

Work experience does not have to be consecutive; different periods can be totalled, e.g. two 12‑month periods with a six‑month gap.

Wage thresholds [SR3.35]

• ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupations: at least the median wage
• ANZSCO skill level 4–5 or not included in ANZSCO: at least 1.5 times the median wage
• If the applicant has claimed points for income, the wage required is set by SR3.25.1

Median wage historic table [SR3.35]

Date range	Median wage	1.5× median	2× median
15 Jan 2018 – 25 Nov 2018	$24.29	$36.44	$48.58
26 Nov 2018 – 23 Feb 2020	$25.00	$37.50	$50.00
24 Feb 2020 – 18 Jul 2021	$25.50	$38.25	$51.00
19 Jul 2021 – 23 Oct 2022	$27.00	$40.50	$54.00
24 Oct 2022 – 26 Feb 2023	$27.76	$41.64	$55.52
27 Feb 2023 – 27 Feb 2024	$29.66	$44.49	$59.32
28 Feb 2024 – 17 Aug 2025	$31.61	$47.41	$63.22
18 Aug 2025 – 8 Mar 2026	$33.56	$50.34	$67.12
From 9 Mar 2026	$35.00	$52.50	$70.00

Start and stop rules [SR3.35]

• Experience begins when the applicant first earns the required wage.
• It stops if the applicant changes employment or their income falls below the required wage, unless the income decrease is solely due to a median wage increase and the applicant remains in the same job earning at least the new threshold.
• Example: If an applicant earned $30/hr from Feb 2020 and stays in that job, they continue to count experience even when the median wage rises to $27, because their earnings still meet the new median. However, starting a new job at $26.50 when the median is $27 would stop counting.

Additional conditions [SR3.35]

• For applicants claiming points for New Zealand registration/licensing/certification, skilled work experience must be after gaining that registration.
• Experience must be lawfully obtained; unlawful work or work without required authority is not counted.
• Employment must be genuine and not offered as the result of payment (see SR2.1.5).
• Work on a contract for services is acceptable.

Evidence [SR3.35] Applicants must provide:

• employment agreements and job descriptions (previous and current) showing occupation, hours, and remuneration;
• a summary of earnings or tax statement from Inland Revenue confirming the period of work and income.

Special provision for income‑based claims [SR3.35] For applicants claiming points for income of at least 2× the median wage, skilled work experience in New Zealand is also acceptable if it was:

• completed on or after 29 September 2021 and before 9 October 2023;
• in an occupation listed in Tier 2 of Appendix 13 while meeting the requirements for that occupation.

Evidence for claiming points

Applicants must provide specific evidence to support claims for points in each skill category, as set out in SR3.25. [SR3.25]

Income evidence

When claiming points for income, the principal applicant must provide an employment agreement and job description specifying the occupation, hours and remuneration of the employment. [SR3.25]

Qualification evidence

When claiming points for a qualification, the principal applicant must provide their qualification certificate. If the qualification is from outside New Zealand, they must also provide [SR3.25]:

• an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) from NZQA; or
• evidence that the qualification is on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (Appendix 17).

Where an IQA is provided and does not confirm a specific qualification type matching the listed levels, the IQA must recognise the qualification on the NZQCF as a level 10, 9, or 8 qualification to receive points accordingly. [SR3.25]

For a level 10 Doctoral degree from a New Zealand University, instead of the degree certificate, the applicant may provide a 'letter of eligibility to graduate' confirming they have met all requirements to graduate with a Doctoral degree. [SR3.25]

New Zealand registration, licensing, or certification evidence

When claiming points for New Zealand registration, licensing, or certification, the applicant must provide documentation confirming [SR3.25]:

• the registration, licensing, or certification body;
• the name of the registration, license, or certification and/or scope of practice; and
• any other requirements listed at SR3.30 to be awarded points.

Unless specified at SR3.30, any form of provisional, trainee, intern, or limited registration, license, certification or scope of practice does not qualify for points. [SR3.25]

Application in decisions

Immigration New Zealand uses the points summary when:

• Determining whether an Expression of Interest (EOI) meets the current SMC points threshold [SR3.15].
• Verifying that the applicant has claimed points from only one skill category (income, qualification, or registration) and has not double‑counted across categories [SR3.15].
• Awarding bonus points for skilled NZ work experience only if the principal applicant already has a valid claim under one skill category [SR3.15].

Interpretation & edge cases

• Choice of skill category: The applicant must pick a single category—income, qualification, or registration. If a person could claim points under more than one, INZ will apply the one that yields the highest score, but only one category is counted [SR3.15].
• International qualification assessment: Where an IQA does not match a named qualification type, the additional provisions of SR3.25.5(b) may allow the applicant to receive the points shown. The exact mapping is determined by NZQA or the assessing body [SR3.15].
• Registration points: The specific registration, licence, or certification must appear in the list at SR3.30; the points associated with it are fixed—the applicant cannot choose a lower or higher point value [SR3.15].
• Skilled work experience: The bonus points for NZ work experience are only available if the applicant has already met the skill‑category threshold. They cannot be claimed by someone who has not yet qualified under income, qualification, or registration [SR3.15].

Citations

• SR3.15 — Points Summary
• SR3.25 — Skill categories
• SR3.30 — Points for New Zealand registration, licensing, or certification
• SR3.35 — Skilled work experience in New Zealand