The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) uses a points system to assess residence applications. Understanding how points are calculated helps you assess your eligibility and plan your immigration pathway effectively. This guide explains the points factors and helps you estimate your score.
How the SMC Points System Works
Purpose
Selection Mechanism: Points determine who gets invited to apply.
Comparative: Compares applicants against each other.
Threshold: Must meet minimum points threshold.
Regular Selections: Selections occur at regular intervals.
Expression of Interest
EOI First: Submit Expression of Interest with claimed points.
Selection Pool: EOIs entered into selection pool.
Ranked Selection: Highest points selected first.
Invitation: Selected EOIs invited to apply for residence.
Full Application
After Selection: Apply for residence after EOI selected.
Verify Points: Must prove claimed points.
Assessment: INZ verifies all claims.
Decision: Residence granted if requirements met.
Points Categories
Age Points
Age affects your points significantly:
20-39 Years: Maximum points.
40-44 Years: Reduced points.
45-55 Years: Minimal or no points.
Over 55: Generally not eligible for SMC.
At Time of EOI: Age counted when EOI submitted.
Skilled Employment Points
Employment in NZ earns substantial points:
Skilled Employment: Points for current NZ skilled job.
High Salary: Additional points for high salaries.
Job Offer: Points for job offer even if not started.
Employment Type: Must be skilled employment.
Qualification Points
Academic and trade qualifications:
Level 3-6: Lower points for certificates and diplomas.
Level 7: Degree-level qualifications.
Level 8-9: Postgraduate qualifications.
Level 10: Doctorate qualifications.
NZ Qualifications: Some additional recognition.
Work Experience Points
Relevant work experience:
Years of Experience: Points for skilled work experience.
NZ Experience: May have additional recognition.
Relevance: Must be in skilled occupation.
Documentation: Need evidence of experience.
Partner Points
If partner also skilled:
Skilled Partner: Points for qualified, skilled partner.
Partner Employment: Additional if partner employed.
Qualifications: Partner's qualifications counted.
Other Factors
Additional point categories:
Regional Employment: Working outside Auckland.
Green List Occupations: If your occupation is on the Green List, you may have a faster residence pathway. The old Absolute Skills Shortage list was abolished in 2022.
NZ Qualifications: Bonus for NZ study.
Calculating Your Points
Step 1: Age Assessment
Check Your Age: Calculate age at EOI submission.
Check Current Thresholds: Points bands may change.
Plan Timing: If approaching threshold, timing matters.
Step 2: Employment Assessment
Current Employment: Do you have NZ skilled employment?
Salary Level: What's your hourly rate?
Job Relevance: Is role skilled under definitions?
Employer: Is employer accredited?
Step 3: Qualification Assessment
Your Qualifications: What qualifications do you hold?
NZQA Assessed: Get formal assessment if needed.
Level Determination: Confirm NZQF level equivalent.
Documentation: Gather qualification evidence.
Step 4: Experience Assessment
Years in Occupation: How many years skilled experience?
NZ Experience: How much in New Zealand?
Documentation: Can you prove experience?
Relevance: Is it in related occupation?
Step 5: Other Factors
Partner Qualification: Partner's skills and employment.
Location: Working in regions?
Shortage Occupation: On skills shortage list?
Step 6: Total and Compare
Add Points: Calculate total across categories.
Check Threshold: Compare to current threshold.
Margin: Consider if you're safely above.
Point Thresholds
Current Requirements
Check Current: Points thresholds change over time.
Immigration NZ: Official source for current thresholds.
Selection Rounds: Different rounds may have different thresholds.
Competitive Points
Above Threshold: Being above minimum is good.
Higher Better: Higher points generally mean faster selection.
Competition: Competing with other applicants.
Improving Your Points
Employment Strategies
Get NZ Job: Employment provides substantial points.
Higher Salary: Greater salary means higher points.
Skilled Role: Ensure role is classified as skilled.
Qualification Strategies
Further Study: Higher qualifications earn more points.
NZ Study: NZ qualifications may earn bonus points.
Recognition: Get qualifications formally assessed.
Experience Building
Time in Role: More experience means more points.
NZ Experience: NZ experience valuable.
Documentation: Keep records of experience.
Partner Involvement
Partner Skills: Partner can contribute points.
Partner Employment: Partner employment adds points.
Joint Planning: Plan both partners' development.
Location Choice
Regional Work: Working outside Auckland may add points.
Job Market: Balance points against job availability.
Lifestyle: Consider lifestyle factors too.
Common Questions
Points Not Adding Up?
Double-Check Criteria: Ensure you meet specific requirements.
Qualification Levels: Confirm NZQF equivalence.
Employment Definition: Verify job is classified as skilled.
Current Policy: Check current policy settings.
Just Below Threshold?
Improvement Strategies: Consider how to increase points.
Time Factor: Some factors improve with time.
Professional Assessment: Get adviser to evaluate options.
Alternative Pathways: Consider other residence routes.
Points Claimed vs Verified
Honest Assessment: Only claim points you can prove.
Evidence Required: INZ will verify all claims.
Conservative: Better to be conservative than over-claim.
Working with Advisers
Points Assessment
Advisers can help with:
Accurate Calculation: Proper points assessment.
Qualification Assessment: Determining qualification levels.
Strategy Development: Planning to improve points.
Application Preparation: Preparing strong EOI and application.
Common Adviser Services
Initial Assessment: Evaluate current position.
Gap Analysis: Identify what's missing.
Pathway Planning: Plan route to residence.
Application Support: Support through process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the current SMC points threshold?
Points thresholds can change. Check Immigration NZ's official website for current requirements and recent selection round results.
Can I apply for SMC without a job in NZ?
Technically possible but difficult. Most successful SMC applicants have NZ employment. Employment provides substantial points and strengthens applications.
Do my overseas qualifications count?
International qualifications count when assessed as equivalent to NZ qualifications. Get formal assessment through NZQA or relevant professional body.
How long is the SMC process?
The full process—EOI to residence—can take 12-24 months or longer. Processing times vary based on INZ workload and individual circumstances.
Can I include my partner and children in SMC?
Yes, immediate family can be included in your residence application once invited to apply after EOI selection.
Want help calculating your SMC points? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can assess your eligibility and help you plan your residence pathway.