Newly announced residence pathways
The Government has announced two new residence pathways. The pathways are designed to help New Zealand businesses attract and retain skilled migrant workers.
Employers who have struggled to attract or retain skilled workers will certainly welcome this announcement. For a long time, many key New Zealand businesses have been unable to retain workers with desperately needed skills and experience, because these workers had no pathway to residence and the maximum work visa duration is five years.
What are the new pathways?
They are the Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technicians pathways.
When will the new pathways come into effect?
Eligible overseas workers will be able to apply for residence under the two new categories from mid-2026. The wait for these two pathways to come into effect may be disappointing to employers, particularly if any of their existing migrant workers will reach the five year limit on their work visas before then.
What are the requirements to be met?
Migrants can apply under the Skilled Work Experience pathway, if they have:
- Employment in a role that is assessed as being at Level 1 – 3 on the Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO details); and
- at least five years of directly relevant experience, including two years in New Zealand earning at least 1.1 times the median wage, which is $36.92 based on today’s median wage.
Migrants can apply under the Trades and Technician pathway, if they have:
- Employment in specified roles, which are yet to be announced,
- they hold a relevant Level 4 qualification or higher; and
- they have at least four years of post-qualification experience, including 18 months in New Zealand earning at or above the median wage, which is currently $33.56.
The immigration policy will be released closer to when the residence pathways open.
Were there any other announcements made?
The Government also announced that it will be reducing the amount of time migrants with New Zealand university qualifications need to work in New Zealand before they are eligible for residence. The work experience required for most migrants will be reduced from three to two years. This again is an announcement which will be welcomed by employers wanting to retain their existing skilled workforce.
More information and the actual policy requirements will be announced prior to the pathways opening mid-2026.
Duncan Cotterill’s immigration team will continue to monitor any announcements and provide updates. In the meantime, please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.
