New Zealand visaSettle in New ZealandNew Zealand Skilled Migrant Category residence for Indian applicants
The Skilled Migrant Category is New Zealand's points-based residence visa: you need 6 points from one of three ladders (occupational registration, a qualification, or income above the median wage) plus up to 3 points for years of skilled work in New Zealand, a skilled job or offer with an accredited employer paying at least the median wage, IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, age 55 or under and acceptable health and character. The fee is NZD 6,450 for the principal applicant and included partner and children, there is no cap or draw since October 2023, and Immigration New Zealand decides most complete files in 4 to 6 months. Most Indian applicants reach 6 points with a master's degree (5) plus 1 year of skilled work in New Zealand, or a bachelor's (3) plus 3 years.
6 min read Verified 30 October 2026 against immigration.govt.nz · How we verify
New Zealand skilled migrant category resident visa: quick answers
- Who qualifies for Skilled Migrant residence?
- Applicants aged 55 or under with a skilled job or job offer in New Zealand from an accredited employer, full time at or above the median wage (NZD 33.56 an hour in 2026) in an ANZSCO level 1 to 3 role or one paying 1.5 times the median, who reach 6 points: 6 for a PhD or registration requiring 6 years of training, 5 for a master's or registration at that level, 4 for income at twice the median, 3 for a bachelor's, 1.5-times-median income or registration at bachelor's level, plus 1 point for each year of skilled work in New Zealand up to 3. Qualifications gained outside New Zealand need an NZQA International Qualification Assessment unless on the exempt list.
- What does it cost?
- NZD 6,450 for the application, covering the principal applicant, partner and dependent children, paid online. Add the NZQA International Qualification Assessment (NZD 746) if your Indian degree is not on the exempt list, medicals for each family member (INR 5,000 to 8,000 each), Indian police certificates and IELTS (INR 17,000 to 18,000). There is no second instalment, landing fee or settlement levy. Vistolane's licensed adviser partner charges the NZD 6,450 fee at the official rate and shows its service separately.
- How long does it take?
- Immigration New Zealand decides most Skilled Migrant applications within 4 to 6 months, faster for applicants already in New Zealand on an AEWV with a straightforward points claim; files needing qualification assessment or employer verification take longer. Applicants outside New Zealand must have a job offer and travel to take it up within the visa's first-entry date.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa; permanent resident visa after 2 years |
| Government fee | NZD 6,450 including partner and children |
| Processing | Most files in 4 to 6 months; no cap or selection draw |
| Points | 6 points: qualification (3 to 6), registration (3 to 6) or income (3 to 6), plus 1 per year of skilled work in New Zealand (max 3) |
| Job | Skilled job or offer with an accredited employer at or above the median wage (NZD 33.56 an hour) |
| English | IELTS 6.5 overall, PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 79, or an exempt qualification |
| Age | 55 or under at application |
| Verified | 30 Oct 2026 against immigration.govt.nz |
How the 6-point test works for Indian applicants
| Points | Qualification | Occupational registration | Income (full-time job) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | PhD (level 10) | Registration needing 6 or more years of training (medical practitioners, dentists) | 3 times the median wage (NZD 100.68 an hour) |
| 5 | Master's (level 9) | Registration needing 5 years (nurses, teachers in some tracks) | Not applicable |
| 4 | Not applicable | Registration needing 4 years | 2 times the median wage (NZD 67.12 an hour) |
| 3 | Bachelor's or postgraduate diploma (level 7 to 8) | Registration needing 2 years (electricians, plumbers) | 1.5 times the median wage (NZD 50.34 an hour) |
| +1 each | Skilled work in New Zealand, 1 point per year, maximum 3 |
You claim points from one ladder only, then add New Zealand skilled work: a software engineer with an Indian master's assessed at level 9 (5 points) qualifies after 1 year on an AEWV; a mechanical engineer with a bachelor's (3 points) after 3 years; a registered nurse (5 points) after 1 year; a project manager paid NZD 70 an hour (4 points) after 2 years. Skilled work means an ANZSCO level 1 to 3 role at or above the median wage, or a level 4 to 5 role at 1.5 times the median, with an accredited employer. Indian degrees from universities on the NZQA exempt list (IITs, IISc, several central universities) do not need assessment; others obtain the International Qualification Assessment (NZD 746, 25 working days).
Partners and children aged 24 or under who are dependent are included; the partner must meet English at IELTS 5.0 or pre-purchase English tuition. Everyone over 17 needs police certificates from India and any country lived in for 12 months or more, and full medicals. The principal applicant must hold the job when the visa is decided, and residence is granted with travel conditions for 2 years, after which the Permanent Resident Visa (NZD 290) removes them.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | NZD 6,450 | Principal applicant, partner and children |
| NZQA International Qualification Assessment | NZD 746 | If the degree is not on the exempt list |
| Medical examination and chest X-ray | INR 5,000 to 8,000 per person | Panel clinic; valid 3 months at lodgement |
| Police certificates | INR 500 (India); varies abroad | Each applicant aged 17 or over |
| English test | INR 17,000 to 18,000 | IELTS 6.5 principal; 5.0 partner, or NZD 1,735 to 6,795 ESOL tuition |
| Permanent Resident Visa | NZD 290 | After 2 years of residence |
The fee rose from NZD 4,290 to NZD 6,450 on 1 October 2024. There is no cap, draw or expression of interest fee since the 6-point system began on 9 October 2023. Vistolane's partner charges the NZD 6,450 fee at the official rate.
How the application runs, step by step
- 1
Confirm the points and the job
Choose the ladder (qualification, registration or income); confirm the employer is accredited and the pay meets the median wage for the role.
- 2
Assess the qualification and take the English test
NZQA International Qualification Assessment if required (25 working days); IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, valid 2 years.
- 3
Gather health, character and family evidence
Medicals, Indian and other police certificates, marriage and birth certificates, partner's English.
- 4
Apply online and pay NZD 6,450
Upload the employment agreement, payslips, qualification evidence, work history and family documents.
- 5
Decision and residence
4 to 6 months; the visa is granted with 2-year travel conditions; apply for the Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years.
Timeline for an Indian AEWV holder
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled work in New Zealand | 1 to 3 years | Earning the points shortfall |
| Qualification assessment | 25 working days | Unless exempt |
| Medicals and certificates | 4 to 8 weeks | Indian PCC through the Passport Seva portal |
| Decision | 4 to 6 months | Employer and pay verification |
| Permanent Resident Visa | After 2 years | NZD 290 |
Applicants offshore with a job offer can apply before arriving and travel on the resident visa, but most Indian applicants reach the points while working in New Zealand on the AEWV described on the New Zealand work route page.
Living in New Zealand as a resident
Resident visa holders work for any employer, access public healthcare and pay domestic tuition fees after the qualifying period, and may sponsor parents through the Parent Resident Visa ballot or the Parent Boost Visitor Visa introduced in 2025 (5 years for parents with their own health insurance). Residence is lost only by absence beyond the travel conditions before the Permanent Resident Visa is granted, which requires 184 days in New Zealand in each of the 2 years or tax residence.
Citizenship by grant requires 5 years as a resident with at least 240 days in each year and 1,350 days in total, good character and basic English; New Zealand allows dual citizenship but India does not, so Indian citizens surrender the Indian passport and apply for the Overseas Citizen of India card after naturalising.
Document checklist: points
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Qualification certificate and transcripts | NZQA assessment or exempt-list evidence |
| Occupational registration | Nursing Council, Engineering New Zealand, EWRB and similar |
| Employment agreement and 3 months of payslips | Role, hours, hourly rate at or above the median wage |
| Employer accreditation evidence | Current at decision |
| New Zealand skilled work history | IRD summary of income, visa labels, references |
Family
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Marriage certificate and relationship evidence | Partner included |
| Children's birth certificates and dependency evidence | Aged 24 or under |
| Partner's English test or ESOL purchase | IELTS 5.0 or NZD 1,735 to 6,795 |
Health and character
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Medical examination and chest X-ray for each applicant | Panel clinic |
| Police certificates for everyone aged 17 or over | India and each country of 12 months or more |
| Passports | Valid; copies of previous passports |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Points not evidenced
Degree not assessed or assessed below the claimed level.
The fix. Obtain the NZQA assessment before applying; use the registration or income ladder if higher.
Job not skilled
ANZSCO level 4 to 5 role paid under 1.5 times the median wage.
The fix. Negotiate pay to NZD 50.34 an hour or move to a level 1 to 3 role.
Pay below the median wage
Hourly rate under NZD 33.56 or hours under 30 a week.
The fix. Fix the agreement and payslips before lodging.
Employer not accredited
Accreditation lapsed or never held.
The fix. Ask the employer to renew; INZ checks at decision.
Health or character
Undisclosed medical condition or conviction.
The fix. Declare fully with evidence; medical waivers exist for residence in limited cases.
Official sources
New Zealand skilled migrant category resident visa questions
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