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New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Points Calculator
Calculate your eligibility for the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa based on the 6-point system introduced in October 2023.
Before calculating your points, check if you meet these basic requirements:
Your SMC Points Summary
Calculated based on your inputs
Points Breakdown
Current median wage: NZD $31.61 per hour (February 2024)
Understanding the 6-Point System
Core Eligibility
Before you can claim points, you must meet several basic requirements:
- Age: 55 years or younger
- English language proficiency
- Health & character standards
- Skilled job/offer from INZ Accredited Employer
- Full-time: 30+ hours per week
- Permanent or fixed-term (12+ months)
Skill Indicator Points
Choose ONE of these pathways to claim 3-6 points:
- NZ Occupational Registration: 3-6 points based on the registration's required training/experience
- Qualifications: 3-6 points based on NZQF level
- Income: 3-6 points based on wage compared to median
NZ Work Experience
Add points from skilled NZ work experience:
- 1 point per year, maximum 3 points
- Must be full-time skilled work
- Must have met relevant ANZSCO level and wage threshold when the experience was gained
- No points for overseas experience
How the 6-Point System Works
The New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category visa requires applicants to achieve exactly 6 points to qualify. This is a significant change from previous points-based systems that required meeting a threshold score.
Step 1: Choose ONE pathway to claim your Skill Indicator Points:
- NZ Occupational Registration: 3, 4, 5, or 6 points
- Qualifications: 3, 4, 5, or 6 points
- Income: 3, 4, or 6 points
Step 2: Add points from NZ Work Experience:
- 1 point per year of skilled NZ work experience (up to 3 points)
Final Calculation: Skill Indicator Points + NZ Work Experience Points = 6 points (exact match required)
Note: Unlike previous systems, the current 6-point system does not award points for factors such as age bands, partner skills, or study outside Auckland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 6-point system for New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category?
The 6-point system is New Zealand's current method for evaluating Skilled Migrant Category visa applications, introduced in October 2023. Unlike previous points-based systems with variable thresholds, this system requires applicants to achieve exactly 6 points through a combination of skill indicators and New Zealand work experience.
Do I need exactly 6 points, or is that a minimum?
You need to achieve exactly 6 points to qualify under the current system. Not 5, not 7 - it must be precisely 6 points. This is different from previous systems where you needed to meet a minimum threshold.
Can I combine points from different skill indicators?
No. You must choose only ONE of the three skill indicator categories (Registration, Qualification, or Income) to claim points from. You cannot combine points across these categories. However, you can add points from your New Zealand work experience to reach the 6-point total.
Why can't I claim points for my overseas work experience?
The current 6-point system only awards points for work experience gained in New Zealand. Overseas work experience, regardless of its relevance or duration, does not earn points under this system. This is a change from previous points-based systems.
What happens if my overseas qualification hasn't been assessed by NZQA?
Most overseas qualifications require an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) before they can be used to claim points. Without this assessment, you generally cannot claim points for the qualification unless it falls on INZ's list of qualifications exempt from assessment. You should prioritize getting this assessment if you plan to claim points through the qualification pathway.
How do I know what ANZSCO skill level my job falls under?
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) categorizes jobs into skill levels from 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest). You can check your occupation's skill level on the Immigration New Zealand website or the ANZSCO database. The skill level affects the minimum wage threshold you must meet: Skill Levels 1-3 require at least the median wage, while Skill Levels 4-5 require at least 1.5 times the median wage.
What if the wage thresholds change while my application is in process?
Wage thresholds are typically updated annually, often in February. For job offers, the applicable threshold is generally the one in place at the time your application is assessed. For work experience, the relevant threshold is the one that was in place when the work experience commenced or when your pay met the threshold. Always check the latest figures on the Immigration New Zealand website.
Can partners or family members contribute to my points?
No. Under the current 6-point system, you cannot claim additional points for your partner's skills, qualifications, or job offers. This differs from previous systems where partner factors could contribute to your points total.