New Skilled Migrant Category route in force: a New Zealand master's degree scores the full 6 points, PR available on graduation
New Zealand · Residency planning · In effect 2026-08-24 (announced 03-05)
| Country / region | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Category | Residency planning |
| Date | In effect 2026-08-24 (announced 03-05) |
| What happened | INZ announced SMC reforms on 03-05, in force 08-24: a full-time New Zealand master's degree (Level 9) scores 6 points, the same as a doctorate, so holders with an accredited employer offer may lodge a resident visa application with no additional work experience required. New "skilled work experience" and "trades" pathways were added; local qualifications score 1 point more than equivalent overseas ones; the median hourly wage rose to NZD 35 from 2026-03-09. |
| Impact on applicants | The "master's in New Zealand → PR on graduation" route is significantly shortened — a rare relaxation among English-speaking countries this year, suited to mid-budget families. |
| Source: {src} | Immigration New Zealand (effective 2026-08-24) ↗ |
Source: Immigration New Zealand (effective 2026-08-24) ↗ · Last verified: 2026-09-20 · For reference only; not application or legal advice. Always check the official source for current rules.
FAQ
New Skilled Migrant Category route in force: a New Zealand master's degree scores the full 6 points, PR available on graduation — what happened?
INZ announced SMC reforms on 03-05, in force 08-24: a full-time New Zealand master's degree (Level 9) scores 6 points, the same as a doctorate, so holders with an accredited employer offer may lodge a resident visa application with no additional work experience required. New "skilled work experience" and "trades" pathways were added; local qualifications score 1 point more than equivalent overseas ones; the median hourly wage rose to NZD 35 from 2026-03-09.
What does this mean for applicants?
The "master's in New Zealand → PR on graduation" route is significantly shortened — a rare relaxation among English-speaking countries this year, suited to mid-budget families.
Where does this information come from?
Immigration New Zealand (effective 2026-08-24), verified by us on 2026-09-20.
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