New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa 2026 — Points, Draws and Permanent Residence
How it works
You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with your points score. Immigration New Zealand selects candidates from the pool twice monthly. Selected candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for residence. Processing after ITA: approximately 6 months.
Points breakdown
Skilled employment in New Zealand: 50 points (in Auckland) or 70 points (outside Auckland — the regional bonus is significant). Qualifications: NZ Bachelor's 50 pts, overseas Bachelor's 40 pts, NZ Master's 60 pts, overseas Master's 50 pts, NZ PhD 70 pts, overseas PhD 60 pts. Age: 20–29 and 30–39 score 30 points; 40–44 score 20 points; 45–49 score 10 points. Work experience: 2–5 years scores 10 pts; 6–9 years 20 pts; 10+ years 30 pts.
The key insight: you need a job first
Unlike Canada's Express Entry which allows you to move to Canada to search for work (with sufficient points), NZ's SMC strongly rewards having a skilled job already in New Zealand. The 50–70 points for skilled employment makes it very difficult to qualify without one.
The practical path: get a New Zealand work visa first (through a job offer), work in New Zealand for 12 months, then apply for the SMC with your employment points.
New Zealand as a destination
No capital gains tax. No inheritance tax. Income tax up to 39% on income over NZD 180,000. Excellent healthcare and education. Strong rule of law. English-speaking. Path to citizenship: 5 years of residence.
Auckland vs rest of New Zealand
The 20-point regional bonus is a meaningful incentive to settle outside Auckland. Wellington (the capital), Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin all offer strong job markets in specific sectors with lower cost of living than Auckland.
Find New Zealand skilled migrant visa specialists and full programme details on WhereCaniMove.