| Country | New Zealand (NZ) |
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| Route | Skilled Migrant Category Residence — New Zealand 2026 |
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| Route family | Permanent residence |
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| Route type | permanent residence |
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| Summary | New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category now has points-based, skilled-work-experience, and trades-and-technician pathways. |
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| Last verified | 2026-09-21 |
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| Official/supporting source count | 4 |
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| Route guide | Open full guide → |
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| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
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| Best-fit work models | Local employment, Family / partnerSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
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| Income requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Savings requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Investment requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Government fees | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Processing time | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Validity | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Renewal | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Family inclusion | Skilled Migrant Category is a residence pathway requiring skilled employment or a job offer, six skilled resident points and other age, English, health and character conditions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2Source 3 |
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| Spouse work rights | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Local-work rules | Skilled Migrant Category is a residence pathway requiring skilled employment or a job offer, six skilled resident points and other age, English, health and character conditions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2Source 3 |
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| Application location | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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| Permanent-residence pathway | The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa itself grants residence; qualifying residents may later apply for a Permanent Resident Visa under separate conditions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
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| Citizenship pathway | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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