Understanding the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): A Pathway to Residency in New Zealand

If you’re working in New Zealand, you might be closer to residency than you think—especially if your job involves skilled work. The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is a popular visa option offered by Immigration New Zealand, designed to attract talented individuals who can contribute to the country’s economy. It’s a points-based system that rewards qualifications, work experience, and income, but many people aren’t aware of how their current job might qualify them—or how they could be unknowingly working toward a pathway to residency. Let’s break it down and explore an example, like a butcher at Skill Level 3, to show how this works.

What is the SMC?

The SMC is a resident visa program for skilled workers who have a job or job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand. To apply, you need to score at least 6 points based on your skills, which can come from qualifications (like a bachelor’s degree), income, occupational registration and skilled work experience in New Zealand. The process starts with submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), and if selected, you’ll be invited to apply for residency. It’s a straightforward yet powerful way to secure a permanent future in New Zealand—yet many don’t realize they might already meet the criteria.

Skilled Work: Are You Doing It Without Knowing?

One of the trickiest parts about the SMC is understanding what counts as "skilled work." New Zealand uses the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) for now to define skill levels, ranging from 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest). Jobs at ANZSCO Skill Levels 1-3 are considered skilled if they’re full-time (at least 30 hours a week) and pay at or above the median wage (currently $31.61/hour as of February 2025). For Levels 4-5, the pay must be at least 1.5 times the median wage ($47.41/hour). The catch? Many people don’t know their job’s skill level or whether it meets these thresholds—meaning they could be building a pathway to residency without even realizing it.

Example: The Butcher at Skill Level 3

Let’s take a butcher as an example. According to ANZSCO, a butcher is classified as Skill Level 3. This means the role typically requires a qualification like a NZQF Level 4 qualification— or, alternatively, at least three years of relevant experience if formal qualifications are lacking. But here’s where it gets interesting: if that butcher also holds a Bachelor’s degree (even in an unrelated field), they could claim additional points under the SMC system, boosting their eligibility for residency.

Imagine a butcher named Alex, who’s been working full-time in a New Zealand meat processing plant for two years, earning $32/hour—above the median wage for Skill Level 3. Alex has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from his home country, which he got years ago and hasn’t thought much about since. Under the SMC:

Qualification Points: A Bachelor’s degree earns Alex 3 points (assuming it’s recognized by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority or exempt from assessment).
Skilled Work Experience: His two years of skilled work in New Zealand at Skill Level 3 earns him 2 more points (1 point per year, up to a maximum of 3).
Total: Alex has 5 points so far. If he stays in the job for one more year, he’ll hit 6 points (3 from the degree + 3 from three years of work experience)—enough to apply for residency.

Alex might not have known his everyday work as a butcher was "skilled" under ANZSCO or that his old degree could count toward residency. He was simply doing his job, unaware he was on a pathway to a permanent life in New Zealand.

Why People Miss These Opportunities

Alex’s story isn’t unique. Many workers—whether butchers, mechanics, any role at these levels —don’t realize their job fits the SMC framework. Here’s why:

Lack of Awareness: The ANZSCO system and SMC points aren’t that easy. People might assume "skilled work" only applies to high-profile professions like doctors or engineers, not trades like butchery.
Overlooking Qualifications: If your degree isn’t directly related to your job, you might not think it matters—but under SMC, it can still earn you points.
Not Tracking Experience: Skilled work experience in New Zealand adds up over time, but if you’re not aware of the points system, you might not see how close you are to eligibility.

How to Check Your Own Pathway

If you’re working in New Zealand, here’s how to figure out if you’re on an SMC track:

Identify Your Skill Level: Look up your occupation on the ANZSCO website (or ask an immigration advisor). Is it Level 1-3? Do you meet the wage threshold?
Check Your Qualifications: Do you have a Bachelor’s degree or higher? Even if it’s unrelated to your job, it could earn you 3-6 points.
Count Your Time: Have you worked in a skilled role in New Zealand? You get 1 point per year, up to 3 points.
Confirm Employment: Is your employer accredited? Do you work at least 30 hours a week?

If you’re hitting 6 points—or getting close with a bit more time—you could qualify for residency. For our butcher Alex, his Bachelor’s degree and ongoing work experience were the keys. For you, it might be a different combination.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Sleep on Your Skills

The SMC is an opportunity, but it’s easy to miss if you don’t know how it works. Whether you’re slicing meat, fixing cars, or teaching kids, your job might be more "skilled" than you think—and paired with a qualification or some time on the ground in New Zealand, it could open the door to residency. So, take a moment to check your situation. You might be like Alex, steadily building a future in New Zealand without even realizing it. Who knows? Your pathway might already be in motion. Contact us today to find out if you are closer than you might think.