New Zealand has announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa that will help employers retain skilled workers. A Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa lets foreign workers stay in New Zealand indefinitely. After holding this visa for 2 years in a row, they can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa that lets them travel in and out of New Zealand indefinitely.

Two new residence pathways will be introduced under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa in August 2026.

One is for migrants in skilled roles who have at least five years of directly relevant work experience, and the other is for migrants in specified skilled roles in trades and as technicians.

The New Zealand work experience requirements will be modestly reduced for some current pathways. This change re

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