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SMC Trades and Technician Pathway Explained

INZ's Trades and Technician pathway to residence needs a job in a listed trades or technician occupation paid at least the SMC wage threshold, a level 4 or higher qualification, 2.5 years of post-qualification experience and a further 1.5 years of post-qualification skilled experience in New Zealand. The occupation list has 109 entries. Rules as read on 9 October 2026.

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa has a pathway aimed at people in practical and technical jobs. INZ calls it the Trades and Technician pathway and describes it as "for people working in eligible trades or technician roles who have developed their skills through a combination of qualifications and work experience." It sits alongside the Points-based pathway and the Skilled Work Experience pathway, and an applicant needs to meet only one of the three.

This guide explains how the pathway works, using Immigration New Zealand's SMC page, SMC overview page, eligible-roles page and wage threshold page, all read on 9 October 2026. It reports INZ's rules. It does not say whether any reader's occupation, qualification or history meets them, because applying a rule to a person's own facts is immigration advice that, in New Zealand, only a licensed immigration adviser or a lawyer may give.

The requirements as INZ states them

INZ says an applicant is eligible for the Trades and Technician pathway if they:

  • work in an eligible trades and technician occupation paid at least the SMC wage threshold;
  • have a relevant qualification that is level 4, comparable to level 4, or higher than level 4 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF);
  • have at least 2.5 years of relevant, post-qualification work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation; and
  • have an additional 1.5 years of post-qualification, skilled work experience in New Zealand paid at least the SMC wage threshold.

On the SMC page INZ puts the same thing in one line: the applicant must have "a relevant qualification, and at least 4 years of post-qualification work experience, including at least 18 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand."

Every SMC applicant must also meet the requirements common to all pathways: aged 55 or younger when applying, a job or job offer with an accredited employer, good health, good character, English, and a genuine relationship with any partner or dependent children included in the application. The job must be full-time (at least 30 hours a week) and permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months, or a contract or continuous contracts for at least 6 months.

Relevant versus skilled experience, and the windows

As with the Skilled Work Experience pathway, INZ separates two kinds of experience.

Relevant work experience is experience related to the current job or job offer; on this pathway it must be post-qualification. INZ says self-employment cannot be counted as relevant work experience.

Skilled work experience is related to the current job or job offer, completed in New Zealand and paid at the required amount, again post-qualification.

The time limits are:

  • relevant experience must be gained within 10 years, counted back from the date of the residence application;
  • skilled experience must be gained within twice the amount required, counted back from the application date. With 1.5 years required, that is the 3 years before the application.

INZ's wage threshold page adds a related but separate limit for fixing the pay rate. The skilled work experience used to set the threshold must fall within "twice the amount of skilled work experience you need, counted back from the date you submit your EOI", which for this pathway means 1.5 years needed and a 3-year window. INZ highlights that the two windows are counted from different dates (EOI date for setting the threshold, residence application date for counting experience), so experience can continue to build between EOI and application.

The "post-qualification" element is stressed: INZ states that "Work experience gained before completing the relevant qualification ... cannot be used towards the skilled work experience requirement" because the qualification is the point at which a person is recognised as skilled in that job. Leave for parental, ACC or sick reasons may be included in an extended period of skilled experience.

The eligible occupations list

Only occupations on INZ's list qualify. The page, "Eligible occupations for the SMC Trades and Technician pathway", includes the ANZSCO code and skill level for each. When read on 9 October 2026 it held 109 occupation codes. INZ's overview mentions areas such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, automotive trades and technical support roles.

A few entries show the range, using INZ's titles:

  • 331211 Carpenter and Joiner (skill level 3)
  • 321211 Motor Mechanic (skill level 3)
  • 322313 Welder (skill level 3)
  • 333411 Wall and Floor Tiler (skill level 3)
  • 342111 Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (skill level 3)
  • 312111 Architectural Draftsperson (skill level 2)
  • 312114 Construction Estimator (skill level 2)
  • 263112 Network Administrator (skill level 1)
  • 361311 Veterinary Nurse (skill level 3)
  • 312116 Surveying or Spatial Science Technician (skill level 2)

The list is not a list of "trades" in a narrow sense. It includes technicians, draftspeople, laboratory and science technicians, telecommunications roles, a few creative and performing-arts technical roles and some skill level 1 and 2 occupations. Whether any particular occupation appears can only be confirmed on the live INZ page, which is the authority and which INZ may amend. Titles on it follow ANZSCO, so a job title used by an employer will not always match the ANZSCO title INZ lists.

An occupation being missing from this list does not stop someone using a different SMC pathway; the other two pathways have their own, separate, tests.

The qualification requirement

INZ's rule has two parts, depending on where the qualification was gained.

New Zealand qualifications. A trades or technician qualification from New Zealand "must be either: at least 120 credits on the NZQCF, or less than 120 credits but with multiple prerequisite qualifications that together make at least 120 credits." INZ adds an alert: credits awarded in recognition of prior learning do not count towards the 120.

International qualifications. "If you have a qualification from outside of New Zealand, there are no credit requirements but you must have an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)." The IQA must show the qualification as level 4, comparable to level 4 or higher.

INZ's IQA page explains the process. An IQA is applied for through NZQA, not INZ. Most qualifications from outside New Zealand require one. The exceptions are engineering degrees accredited under the Washington Accord and engineering technology degrees under the Sydney Accord (the awarding country must have been a signatory when the degree was awarded), and qualifications on INZ's SMC exemption list. INZ may still ask for an IQA while processing an exempt qualification. INZ also says an applicant who needs an IQA must have the result before applying: "Evidence that you have applied for an IQA but have not yet received the results will not be accepted." For the SMC the IQA reference number goes into the expression of interest.

The pay requirement

This pathway has the simplest pay rule of the three: the job must pay at least the SMC wage threshold itself, with no multiplier. The threshold has been NZD 35.00 an hour since 9 March 2026.

For skilled work experience, the threshold that applies is the one in force when the experience started counting. INZ's table for the Trades and Technician pathway:

  • From 9 March 2026: NZD 35.00
  • 18 August 2025 to 8 March 2026: NZD 33.56
  • 28 February 2024 to 17 August 2025: NZD 31.61
  • 27 February 2023 to 27 February 2024: NZD 29.66
  • 24 October 2022 to 26 February 2023: NZD 27.76
  • 19 July 2021 to 23 October 2022: NZD 27.00
  • 24 February 2020 to 18 July 2021: NZD 25.50

INZ's rule that "Once your threshold is set, it does not change" applies. The current job or job offer, and every later period of skilled experience, must meet or beat the set rate. INZ's example for this pathway is Alex, who needs 1 year 6 months of skilled experience. She started on 1 February 2025 on NZD 35.00 against a threshold of NZD 31.61, so her threshold was set at NZD 31.61. When she started a new job in November 2025 at NZD 30.10, below her set rate, that period could not be counted. INZ says that if she later changes jobs or gets a rise that reaches NZD 31.61, she can start counting again.

Salaried workers convert pay to an hourly rate using the maximum contracted hours in the employment agreement, according to INZ. INZ's wage threshold page has separate rules for people paid under a contract for services; they are covered in the companion guide on the wage threshold.

Evidence INZ asks for

No documents are required when the expression of interest is submitted, but the details must be provided. After an invitation, INZ lists the following for this pathway and for SMC applicants in general:

  • employment agreement for the job or job offer, with name, occupation, hours, pay and benefits, containing the mandatory clauses required by New Zealand employment law;
  • a job description with key tasks and responsibilities;
  • qualification certificates and academic transcripts, and an IQA recognition statement where required;
  • for New Zealand skilled work experience, an employment agreement and job description for each period, plus an IRD summary of earnings or tax statement up to the date of application, with monthly breakdowns;
  • for relevant work experience, an employment agreement and job description for each work period with the matching government tax or earnings summary, or a certificate of service from the employer if tax records for overseas work are not available (certificates of service cannot be used for New Zealand work);
  • passport, photo, medical and chest X-ray evidence where required (less than 3 months old when submitted), and police certificates from required countries (less than 6 months old);
  • evidence of English ability, through citizenship plus time working or studying in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States, a qualifying degree gained in specified countries, or an approved test result less than 2 years old.

INZ sets the minimum test score for the principal applicant at an IELTS overall 6.5, with TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 58 and Cambridge B2 First 176 among the other accepted tests. Partners and dependent children aged 16 or over have lower scores, or can pay for English lessons in New Zealand; the principal applicant cannot use the lessons option.

Fees, timing and after approval

INZ's fee finder showed no fee to submit the expression of interest and NZD 6,450 for the application, for the passports queried (India and the United Kingdom, each applying from their home country), as read on 9 October 2026. The fee includes a non-refundable immigration levy and is not refunded if the application is declined. INZ said 80% of applications under the current criteria were completed within 3.5 months. Fees and times vary by passport and place of application.

After an invitation to apply, the applicant has 4 months to apply, under the pathway they were invited for. A new expression of interest is needed if the 4 months pass.

An SMC Resident Visa lets the holder live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely and include a partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger. Travel conditions run for 2 years from first arrival as a resident (or the grant date if already in New Zealand). After 2 years in a row on the visa a Permanent Resident Visa can be applied for. INZ says citizenship may be possible after 5 years as a resident without a Permanent Resident Visa first.

Section 49 conditions may be placed on a visa. For SMC visas INZ's example is that a holder must not be unemployed for more than 3 months and, if they lose their job, must find another skilled job of at least 3 months, or the visa may be cancelled.

Where applications turn on detail

The Trades and Technician pathway has fewer moving parts than the Points-based pathway, but each one is exact. Typical questions that turn on a person's own papers include whether the occupation INZ assigns matches the list; whether a New Zealand qualification reaches 120 credits once recognition of prior learning is excluded; whether an overseas qualification will be assessed as level 4 or higher; whether the 2.5 years of post-qualification experience can be shown from the qualification date; and whether every month of pay in the New Zealand period met the set threshold.

Licensed immigration advisers and lawyers are the people permitted to answer those questions for an individual. Advisers must give a written agreement before starting work, and the Immigration Advisers Authority's register shows each adviser's licence and status.

Finding a licensed immigration adviser

Migratio lists licensed immigration advisers so you can compare them and contact one directly. Every listing shows the adviser's licence number, which you can check on the Immigration Advisers Authority's public register before you book. We don't assess cases and don't tell anyone which visa or pathway fits them; that is the adviser's job.

Questions people ask

What are the requirements for the SMC Trades and Technician pathway?

INZ lists a job in an eligible trades or technician occupation paid at least the SMC wage threshold, a relevant qualification at level 4 or higher, at least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience, and an additional 1.5 years of post-qualification skilled work experience in New Zealand.

How much do you need to be paid on the Trades and Technician pathway?

At least the SMC wage threshold, which is NZD 35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026. For experience that started earlier, INZ's table gives the older rate that applied on the start date.

Where is the list of eligible Trades and Technician occupations?

On INZ's page "Eligible occupations for the SMC Trades and Technician pathway". It showed 109 occupations with ANZSCO codes and skill levels when read on 9 October 2026.

Does a New Zealand trade qualification need a minimum number of credits?

Yes. INZ says a New Zealand qualification must be at least 120 credits on the NZQCF, or several prerequisite qualifications that together reach 120. Credits awarded for recognition of prior learning do not count.

Do overseas trade qualifications need an assessment?

INZ says international qualifications have no credit requirement but need an International Qualification Assessment from NZQA, unless an exemption applies, such as certain Washington Accord or Sydney Accord engineering degrees.

Can self-employment count as relevant work experience?

No. INZ states self-employment cannot be counted as relevant work experience on the Trades and Technician pathway.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

Related guides

  • SMC Points in NZ: How the 6-Point System Works — The Skilled Migrant Category points-based pathway needs 6 skilled resident points. INZ lets points come from one category only (qualification, occupational registration or income), topped up by up to 3 points of New Zealand skilled work experience. This guide sets out INZ's published tables as read on 9 October 2026.
  • SMC Wage Threshold 2026: NZD 35 an Hour and the Rate History — From 9 March 2026 the Skilled Migrant Category wage threshold is NZD 35.00 an hour. INZ fixes the rate that applies to a person when their skilled work experience starts counting, and says that once set, it does not change. This guide sets out INZ's published rate history, multiples and worked examples as read on 9 October 2026.
  • SMC Skilled Work Experience Pathway Explained — INZ's Skilled Work Experience pathway to residence is built on work history, not a degree: a skill level 1 to 3 job paid at 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold, 3 years of relevant experience and a further 2 years of skilled experience in New Zealand. Amber List jobs face higher requirements; Red List jobs are excluded. All rules here are INZ's, read on 9 October 2026.
  • SMC EOI and Invitation to Apply: Step by Step — A Skilled Migrant Category application starts with an expression of interest (EOI). INZ charges no fee for it, tells the applicant immediately whether the requirements are met, and, if so, emails an invitation to apply that must be used within 4 months. This guide follows INZ's published steps as read on 9 October 2026.
  • Green List and SMC Rules Side by Side — New Zealand has three main skilled residence routes: Straight to Residence (Green List Tier 1), Work to Residence (Tier 2) and the Skilled Migrant Category. All three need an applicant aged 55 or younger, an accredited employer and English, and all cost from NZD 6,450. They differ in how they start, how much New Zealand work is needed and how pay is measured.