Trades and Technician Pathway
What You Need to Know
From August 2026, Immigration New Zealand is introducing a brand-new residence pathway under the Skilled Migrant Residence programme specifically designed for people working in skilled trades and technician roles. This is a significant change — many workers in these occupations previously had no realistic route to residence under the existing SMC settings, despite filling critical gaps in the New Zealand labour market.
Who Is This Pathway For?
The Trades and Technician pathway is aimed at migrants working in specified ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 trades and technician occupations. These are hands-on, skilled roles in areas like construction, engineering, automotive, electrical work, and other technical fields where New Zealand has a demonstrated history of needing to recruit from overseas.
A confirmed list of eligible occupations has been published by Immigration New Zealand. If your role isn’t on the list, this particular pathway won’t apply to you — but you may still qualify under other Skilled Migrant pathways.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify under the Trades and Technician pathway, you must meet all of the following:
- Work in an eligible occupation with an Accredited Employer — Your role must be on the confirmed Trades and Technician occupation list, classified at ANZSCO skill level 1–3.
- Hold a relevant Level 4 or above qualification — This is on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). The qualification must be relevant to the occupation you’re working in.
- Have at least 4 years of directly relevant work experience gained after your qualification — This experience must be directly relevant to your current skilled job or job offer, and must be in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupation.
- At least 1.5 years (18 months) of that experience must be in New Zealand — This NZ-based experience must be earned at or above the SMC median wage for this pathway.
- Meet standard residence requirements — Health, character, and English language.
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Qualifications — What Counts?
For this pathway, you need a Level 4 or above qualification on the NZQCF that is relevant to your trade or technician occupation.
If your qualification was gained overseas, you’ll generally need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) unless it’s on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA).
Why This Pathway Matters
The Trades and Technician pathway recognises that a Level 4 trade qualification combined with substantial practical experience is a legitimate and valuable skill set. This pathway creates a genuinely achievable route to residence for a group of workers who have been largely locked out of the system until now.
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}Red and Amber Lists — Do They Affect This Pathway?
Yes, but in a specific way.
Amber list occupations are not eligible for the Trades and Technician pathway. They may still be eligible for the separate Skilled Work Experience pathway (with additional requirements) or for the existing SMC routes.
Red list occupations are excluded from both pathways entirely.
Workers in red list roles can only apply for residence under the existing Skilled Migrant Category if they meet the 6-point threshold — for example by earning 1.5× the median wage, holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or having a recognised occupational registration.
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What Should You Do Now?
- Check the eligible occupation list with a licensed immigration advisor to confirm your role is included.
- Confirm your qualification level and get an IQA if your qualification was obtained overseas.
- Start tracking your NZ work experience carefully — ensure your payslips and employment agreements consistently reflect the required wage rate.
- Talk to a licensed immigration adviser if you’re unsure about your eligibility or how to plan your timeline to August 2026 and beyond.
What if I am not eligible under these options?
You may qualify under alternative pathways, including Green list occupations, or the Skilled Migrant Category.
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