Date posted: 05/10/2023

Update on the refreshed NZ skilled Migrant Category visa

From 9 October 2023, requirements for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) visa in New Zealand are changing. This article summarises those changes and what it means for the accounting profession.

In Brief

  • Membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) can be used to claim the full six points required
  • Beyond the SMC visa, there are other pathways available to applicants

Incoming changes to the Skilled Migrant Category

Overview of changes

From 9 October 2023, requirements for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) visa are changing.

Under the new system, all SMC applicants must have a job offer for, or current employment in, a role paid at least:

  • the median wage for occupations classified at ANZSCO skill level 1-3, or
  • 1.5 times the median wage for occupations classified at ANZSCO skill level 4-5.

In addition, they need six points to apply, with 3 to 6 points able to be claimed from one of the following:

  • An eligible New Zealand occupational registration (included in this list);
  • A qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher); or
  • Income from a job or job offer of at least 1.5 times the median wage in New Zealand.

An applicant can only claim points from one of the three categories.

The age limit, English language, health, and character requirements for residence applications remain unchanged.

With the SMC visa, the applicant can stay indefinitely and live, work and study in New Zealand. Applicants can also include their partner and dependent children (aged 24 and under) in their application.

What does this mean for the accounting profession?

Accounting is generally classified at ANZSCO skill level 2 (meaning there is a median wage minimum remuneration requirement for the job offer or current employment). More information about the median wage can be found at:

Membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) can be used to claim the full six points required.

CA ANZ offers a number of international membership pathways for members of overseas accounting bodies (i.e. to become a CA ANZ member). Pathways differ depending on the overseas body that the applicant is part of. International membership pathways are available for members of:

What if I cannot apply for the SMC visa straight away?

In some cases, members of overseas bodies may need to be in New Zealand before they are able to apply to become a CA ANZ member. Beyond the SMC visa, there are other pathways available to applicants. In particular:

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