The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is New Zealand's points-based residence visa. You need 6 points from one of three ladders, a qualification, occupational registration or income, 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 of NZD 33.56 an hour, 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 family, there has been no cap or draw since 9 October 2023, and Immigration New Zealand decides most complete files in 4 to 6 months.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the New Zealand Skilled Migrant residence route page. This article is the long version: how the 6-point test works for Indian qualifications, what counts as skilled work, the fees, the timeline for an AEWV holder and the reasons applications are declined.
Who qualifies for New Zealand PR under the Skilled Migrant Category?
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 in an ANZSCO level 1 to 3 role, or a level 4 to 5 role paid 1.5 times the median, who reach 6 points and meet English at IELTS 6.5 overall (PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 79) or hold an exempt qualification such as a New Zealand or recognised English-medium degree. Most Indian applicants reach the score while working on the Accredited Employer Work Visa described in the New Zealand work visa guide.
Partners and dependent children aged 24 or under are included; the partner must meet English at IELTS 5.0 or pre-purchase ESOL tuition (NZD 1,735 to 6,795). Everyone aged 17 or over needs police certificates from India and any country lived in for 12 months or more, and full medicals.
How does the 6-point test work 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 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, about 25 working days) before applying, because a degree assessed below the claimed level is the most common reason for a declined points claim.
How much does New Zealand residence cost?
| 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 ESOL tuition NZD 1,735 to 6,795 |
| 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 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 on the New Zealand destination page.
How does the application run?
- Confirm the points and the job: choose the ladder (qualification, registration or income) and confirm the employer is accredited and the pay meets the median wage for the role's ANZSCO level.
- 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.
- Gather health, character and family evidence: medicals, Indian and other police certificates, marriage and birth certificates, the partner's English result or ESOL purchase.
- Apply online and pay NZD 6,450; upload the employment agreement, 3 months of payslips, qualification evidence, work history, IRD income summary and family documents.
- Decision in 4 to 6 months; the resident visa is granted with 2-year travel conditions; apply for the Permanent Resident Visa (NZD 290) after 2 years.
How long does Skilled Migrant residence take?
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled work in New Zealand | 1 to 3 years | Earning the points shortfall on an AEWV |
| 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. The processing times page tracks current turnaround.
What does life as a New Zealand resident look like?
Resident visa holders work for any employer, access public healthcare, 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 kept by meeting the travel conditions, 184 days in New Zealand in each of the 2 years or tax residence, until the Permanent Resident Visa removes them.
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; the guide to absences and naturalisation limits covers the day counts.
Why are Skilled Migrant applications declined, and what fixes each reason?
Points not evidenced. Degree not assessed or assessed below the claimed level. Obtain the NZQA assessment before applying; use the registration or income ladder if it scores higher.
Job not skilled. ANZSCO level 4 to 5 role paid under 1.5 times the median wage. 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. Fix the agreement and payslips before lodging.
Employer not accredited. Accreditation lapsed or never held. Ask the employer to renew; Immigration New Zealand checks at decision.
Health or character. Undisclosed medical condition or conviction. Declare fully with evidence; medical waivers exist for residence in limited cases.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane's licensed immigration adviser partner maps the points, orders the NZQA assessment and files the NZD 6,450 application at the official rate. Start with the free eligibility check or the New Zealand Skilled Migrant residence route page. Applicants comparing points systems can read the Australia points test guide and the Express Entry CRS draws guide.
