Skilled & Employer-Assisted Residence Pathways
Navigating Skilled Migrant Residence is no longer just about meeting personal point thresholds. It requires strict alignment between your qualifications, ANZSCO occupation mappings, and compliant local employment. We engineer watertight residence strategies for skilled professionals and key talent.
Risk-ManagedAdvisory Process
1. Multi-Pathway Diagnostic
Determining your best route among SMC (Points, Work Exp, Trades) or Green List.
2. Employer & Offer Compliance Check
Auditing your employer's accreditation, Job Offer, and wage compliance..
3. Evidentiary Audit & Lodgement
Structuring a watertight evidentiary file (Tax, IRD, NZQA, & References).
4. Representation & Escalation Management
Direct representation before Immigration New Zealand.
Core Residence Pathways We Advise On
In New Zealand’s current immigration landscape, individual qualifications and employer compliance are inseparable.
A successful residence outcome depends equally on two pillars: your professional credentials, and your employer's compliance.
> Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
Skilled Migrant Category provides three distinct pathways to residence. You only need to meet the criteria for one:
1. Points-Based Pathway (6-Point System)
Designed for migrants with higher-level qualifications, recognized professional registrations, or high earning capacity.
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How You Qualify: Claiming 3 to 6 points from your Qualification (Bachelor's or above), Occupational Registration, or Income (up to 1.5x/3x median wage), combined with 1 to 3 points for skilled work experience in New Zealand.
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Our Value: We conduct precise qualification evaluations with NZQA and verify that your employment and wage rate meet the exact threshold required to claim points.
2. Skilled Work Experience Pathway
Designed for experienced professionals in ANZSCO Skill Level 1–3 roles who may not hold higher degrees but possess substantial industry experience.
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How You Qualify: Requires a total of 5 years of relevant work experience, consisting of:
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3 years of relevant skilled experience (obtained overseas or in NZ).
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2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand paid at or above 1.1x the median wage.
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Our Value: Overseas work experience verification is subject to intense INZ audit (requiring strict tax, payroll, and reference documentation). We audit your historical evidence beforehand to eliminate compliance gaps.
3. Trades & Technician Pathway
Tailored specifically for qualified tradespeople, technicians, and practical specialists driving New Zealand’s construction, engineering, automotive, and technical industries.
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How You Qualify: Requires a job in an eligible trade or technician role, a relevant Level 4+ sub-degree qualification (120+ credits), and:
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2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience.
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1.5 years of post-qualification skilled experience in New Zealand paid at or above the median wage.
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Our Value: We verify that your qualification aligns with Level 4 NZQCF standards and that your trade occupation is listed as eligible (and not restricted on official Red/Amber lists).
> Parallel Skilled Pathways: Green List & Sector Agreements
In addition to SMC, we provide strategic planning for specialized industry routes:
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Green List Straight to Residence (Tier 1): Direct residence pathway for highly specified roles in engineering, healthcare, ICT, and specialized construction.
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Green List Work to Residence (Tier 2): 24-month work-to-residence route for designated skilled occupations.
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Care Workforce & Transport Sector Agreements: Specialized pathways for critical sector workers meeting specific wage and 24-month tenure benchmarks.
> Sector Agreements & Work-to-Residence Pathways
Dedicated residence pathways for critical industries governed by specific sector agreements, including Care Workforce, Transport, and specialized trades.
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The Threshold: Completing 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand under specific wage thresholds and sector rules.
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Our Value: We audit employment contracts and pay rates throughout the 24-month period to prevent non-compliance issues from disqualifying your residence application at the finish line.
> High Income Residence Pathway
A streamlined route for high earners contributing significantly to the New Zealand economy.
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The Threshold: Earning at least twice the New Zealand median wage in a skilled role for the required period.
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Our Value: We structure income verification and employment agreement compliance to withstand rigorous audit during processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a job offer in New Zealand before I can apply for skilled residence?
A: Yes. Virtually all skilled residence pathways under the current framework—including SMC 6-Point System, Green List, and Sector Agreements—require a valid skilled job offer or current employment with an Accredited Employer in New Zealand.
Q: What if my job title doesn't match the Green List or ANZSCO title exactly?
A: INZ assesses applications based on actual job tasks and responsibilities, not just the job title. We conduct a detailed job description analysis to ensure your duties substantially match the required ANZSCO code or Green List specification.
Q: Can my employer assist me with my residence application?
A: Employers can support your application by providing job offers and company compliance documents, but under New Zealand law, only a Licensed Immigration Adviser (or exempt professional) can provide tailored immigration advice and represent your application to INZ.