The EMA has been receiving a number of questions from our Members on the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Residency Pathway which is launching in mid-2026. We have worked with Immigration New Zealand to put together a guide with answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the new visa category – click on the link below.
Please get in touch with us if you have any further questions or are uncertain about the changes. We’re here to give clarity around these changes and the impacts they have on your business.
Q: What if my employee’s role is not included on the Trades and Technicians Green List SMC residency pathway? Can roles be added or removed?
A: Yes. There is a process for changing what roles appear on the Green List and employers will have opportunities to influence it.
- The Government will regularly review which roles are on the Green List, including whether roles should be added or removed.
- As part of New Zealand’s move from ANZSCO to the National Occupation List (NOL) in 2027, all Green List roles will be reassessed to make sure they match the updated occupation classifications.
- The two new residence pathways will also undergo a formal review in 2028, giving businesses another opportunity to provide input on whether the categories and role definitions work in practice.
Q: I don’t believe my employee’s job is correctly represented in the ANZSCO codes or the National Occupation List (NOL) doesn’t reflect the level of the role. What should I do?
A: If you believe the occupation listed for your employee is inaccurate, outdated, or does not reflect the true skill level of the role in New Zealand, you should request a review through Stats NZ. Stats NZ is responsible for maintaining the NOL (the NZ‑specific alternative to the ANZSCO classification system).
- If a role is missing or incorrectly classified, Stats NZ runs a formal process to: add new roles, adjust existing roles or update descriptions or levels so they better align with NZ job requirements.
- We encourage you to submit proposed changes where job titles, duties, or skill levels aren’t accurately reflected in the current list. You can find information about the NOL and access the submission form on the Stats NZ website https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/about-the-national-occupation-list/. (Scroll approximately halfway down the page to find the orange link to the form for proposing role changes.)
- Please provide clear evidence about why the role does not fit the current definition. This may include job descriptions, industry comparisons, workforce requirements, or examples of how the role operates differently in New Zealand compared to Australia’s ANZSCO framework.
- This will help if you believe these roles are incorrectly reflected in the Trades and Technicians skills level.
Q: What happens if my employees won’t have completed the required work experience at the wage threshold in time for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residency pathway?
A: If an employee is close to meeting the SMC skilled work requirement, you can extend their AEWV for a brief period.
- Businesses will be able to extend an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for up to 12 months beyond the usual maximum stay, but only if the worker needs no more than 12 additional months of New Zealand work experience at the required wage to qualify for residence.
- This gives employers a buffer so valuable staff aren’t forced to leave the country just before becoming residency‑eligible.
Q: What if the median wage changes before my migrant employee actually starts work?
A: If your employee starts earning their New Zealand skilled work experience within five months of their work visa being approved, then the median wage that applied at the time their visa was granted will continue to apply for SMC purposes.
- This protects employers and employees from unexpected median wage increases that occur between the visa being issued and the employee starting work.
Q: What is changing with wage assessments for residence?
A: Wage checks for residence are becoming more predictable.
- Your employees will no longer need to meet the median wage that applies at the moment they submit their residence application.
- Instead, they only need to maintain the SMC median wage that was in place when they first started accruing their skilled work experience in New Zealand.
- This gives businesses more certainty and avoids the problem of mid‑process wage changes disrupting eligibility.