Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has released further clarification on the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa pathways and points system that will take effect in August 2026.
These updates provide more detail on how migrants working in trade and technician occupations may qualify for residence, including eligibility requirements, wage rules, qualification requirements, and pathways to complete the required work experience.
1. The Trades and Technicians Pathway
The new Trades and Technicians pathway is designed to recognise the skills of migrants working in critical trade roles and provide a structured pathway to residence.
To be eligible under this pathway, migrants will need to meet the following requirements:
- Hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification
- Have at least 4 years of post-qualification skilled work experience
- Have worked in New Zealand for at least 18 months
- Be earning at or above the SMC median wage
These requirements are designed to ensure applicants have both formal training and substantial work experience in their trade.
Which Trades Are Eligible?
Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that eligible roles must:
- Be ANZSCO Skill Level 1–3 occupations
- Appear on INZ’s official Trades and Technicians Occupation List
- Be directly related to the migrant’s current skilled job or job offer
This means migrants must demonstrate that their work experience aligns with their occupation and qualifications. For example, an electrician applying under this pathway must show their work experience is directly relevant to electrical work at the appropriate skill level.
A full list of the eligible trades and technician roles can be found in the table below.
| Trades and Technician occupation |
|---|
| Agricultural Technician (Skill Level 2) – specifying irrigation designer and excluding sheep scanner, animal pregnancy scanner |
| Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber (Skill Level 3) |
| Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Apparel Cutter (Skill Level 3) |
| Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec (Skill Level 2) |
| Architectural Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| Automotive Electrician (Skill Level 3) |
| Blacksmith (Skill Level 3) |
| Boat Builder and Repairer (Skill Level 3) |
| Building and Engineering Technicians nec (Skill Level 2) |
| Building Associate (Skill Level 2) |
| Building Inspector (Skill Level 2) |
| Bungy Jump Master (Skill Level 2) |
| Business Machine Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Butcher or Smallgoods Maker (Skill Level 3) |
| Camera Operator (Film, Television or Video) (Skill Level 3) |
| Carpenter and Joiner (Skill Level 3) |
| Chemistry Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| Civil Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| Clothing Patternmaker (Skill Level 3) |
| Clothing Trades Workers nec (Skill Level 3) |
| Construction Estimator (Skill Level 2) |
| Diesel Motor Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Diver (Skill Level 3) |
| Diving Instructor (Open water) (Skill Level 3) |
| Dressmaker or Tailor (Skill Level 3) |
| Earth Science Technician |
| Electrical Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| Electronic Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| Electronic Equipment Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) (Skill Level 3) |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) (Skill Level 3) |
| Electroplater (Skill Level 3) |
| Engineering Patternmaker (Skill Level 3) |
| Engraver (Skill Level 3) |
| Farrier (Skill Level 3) |
| Fibrous Plasterer (Skill Level 3) |
| Fire Protection Equipment Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| Fitter (General) (Skill Level 3) |
| Fitter and Turner (Skill Level 3) |
| Fitter-Welder (Skill Level 3) |
| Floor Finisher (Skill Level 3) |
| Glazier (Skill Level 3) |
| Hardware Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| Hydrographer |
| Industrial Spray Painter (Skill Level 3) |
| Jeweller (Skill Level 3) |
| Joiner (Skill Level 3) |
| Knitting Machine Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| Leather Goods Maker (Skill Level 3) |
| Library Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| Life Science Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| Lift Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Light Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| Locksmith (Skill Level 3) |
| Marine Transport Professional nec (Skill Level 2) |
| Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 3) |
| Medical Technicians NEC (Skill Level 2) |
| Metal Casting Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| Metal Fabricator (Skill Level 3) |
| Metal Fitters and Machinists nec (Skill Level 3) |
| Metal Machinist (First Class) (Skill Level 3) |
| Metal Polisher (Skill Level 3) |
| Metallurgical or Materials Technician |
| Motor Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Motorcycle Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer |
| Network Administrator (Skill Level 1) |
| Painting Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| Panel beater (Skill Level 3) |
| Paper and Pulp Mill Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| Paper Products Machine Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| Performing Arts Technicians nec (Skill Level 3) |
| Plastics Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| Plumbing Inspector (Skill Level 2) |
| Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer (Skill Level 3) |
| Printing Machinist (Skill Level 3) |
| Radiocommunications Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| Roof Tiler (Skill Level 3) |
| Sail Maker (Skill Level 3) |
| Saw Doctor (Skill Level 3) |
| School Laboratory Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| Science Technicians nec (Skill Level 2) |
| Screen Printer (Skill Level 3) |
| Sewing Machinist (Skill Level 3) |
| Sheetmetal Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| Shipwright (Skill Level 3) |
| Signwriter (Skill Level 3) |
| Small Engine Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Small Offset Printer (Skill Level 3) |
| Solid Plasterer (Skill Level 3) |
| Sound Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| Stonemason (Skill Level 3) |
| Surveying or Spatial Science Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| Technicians and Trades Workers nec (Skill Level 3) – noting that the following roles only meet the criteria: Airborne Electronics Analyst; Canoe maker; Fibre Composite Technician; Irrigation Designer; Kayak Maker; Pearl Technician; Surfboard Maker |
| Telecommunications Cable Jointer (Skill Level 3) |
| Telecommunications Field Engineer (Skill Level 2) |
| Telecommunications Lines worker / Telecommunications Line Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist (Skill Level 2) |
| Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| Toolmaker (Skill Level 3) |
| Vehicle Body Builder (Skill Level 3) |
| Vehicle Painter (Skill Level 3) |
| Veterinary Nurse (Skill Level 3) |
| Wall and Floor Tiler (Skill Level 3) |
| Waste Water or Water Plant Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer (Skill Level 3) |
| Welder (Skill Level 3) |
| Wood Machinist (Skill Level 3) |
| Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers nec (Skill Level 3) |
2. Qualification rules explained
INZ has also clarified how qualification points will be assessed under the new system.
To claim the higher points available for Level 8 or Level 9 qualifications, applicants must also hold a Bachelor’s degree.
Key points include:
- The Bachelor’s degree can be obtained either in New Zealand or overseas
- Applicants who hold a Level 8 or Level 9 qualification but not a Bachelor’s degree can still claim qualification points
- However, they will receive one point fewer than applicants who hold both
While many trade qualifications sit at Level 4–6, this clarification is important for migrants who have progressed to advanced technical or management qualifications within their trade sector.
3. Completing skilled work experience: future AEWV extension
Another important update relates to migrants who are close to meeting the work experience requirement for the SMC pathway.
Immigration New Zealand has indicated that from around 2027, migrants who need up to 12 additional months of skilled work experience to meet the SMC criteria will be able to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) extension. This would allow them to remain in New Zealand and complete the remaining work experience needed to apply for residence.
Further details, including eligibility requirements and application processes, are expected to be released closer to implementation.
How Greenstone can help
For migrants working in trade roles, the new Trades and Technicians pathway could provide a clearer pathway to residence in New Zealand. However, meeting the requirements will depend on several key factors, including whether your occupation is on the eligible list, whether your qualifications meet the SMC requirements, and whether your work experience and wages meet the required thresholds.
For employers, these changes also highlight the importance of ensuring that migrant employees are working in roles correctly aligned with ANZSCO occupation classifications, are paid the appropriate wage level, and can realistically meet the 18-month New Zealand work experience requirement.
Greenstone Immigration’s team of 9 Licensed Immigration Advisers can help both migrants and employers understand how these changes apply to their situation and plan the best pathway forward.
They can assist with:
- Assessing SMC residence eligibility
- Confirming whether a role qualifies under the Trades and Technicians pathway
- Reviewing qualifications and work experience requirements
- Supporting AEWV applications and extensions
- Developing a long-term residence strategy
If you are a tradie working in New Zealand or an employer hiring skilled migrant workers, now is the time to start preparing for the August 2026 Skilled Migrant changes.
Contact Greenstone Immigration now to discuss your pathway to residence.
Licensed Immigration Adviser