New Zealand Cuts Work Experience Requirement for Permanent Residency

New Zealand will cut the New Zealand work experience requirement for a Permanent Resident Visa from three years to a maximum of two years for most migrants in 2025, part of broader immigration reforms aimed at attracting and retaining skilled workers. The change will roll out in stages from March 2025 through mid‑2025, lowering the time barrier for many residence pathways tied to local employment — including Work to Residence routes and parts of the Skilled Migrant Category. The government has also updated wage thresholds and removed an extra pay‑rise requirement at the time of residence application, adjustments that affect both applicants and employers planning their workforce needs.

Why the change matters

Officials say the shorter timeframe offers a clearer and faster path to residence for people who have already proven their skills in New Zealand jobs. Practical benefits include:
– Less time living with temporary status and fewer visa renewals.
– Earlier access to long‑term planning: buying homes, enrolling children in school zones, and making career moves without risking status.
– Policy analysis (VisaVerge.com) suggests the adjustments align with labour market pressures in sectors struggling to fill roles, while wage rules aim to maintain fair pay and reduce undercutting.

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): points and experience

Under the SMC Resident Visa points system, applicants already earn points for New Zealand work experience:
– 1 point for 12 months within the last 24 months
– 2 points for 24 months within the last 48 months
– 3 points for 36 months within the last 60 months

What changes is how quickly someone can become eligible for residence overall. With the new rules, some applicants can qualify with as little as two years of New Zealand work experience, depending on total points and other qualifications. This recognizes local experience while keeping decisions anchored in wage and skill standards.

Implementation timeline and who is affected

• From March 2025: The required minimum experience for lower‑skilled roles moves to two years.
• From mid‑2025: New residence pathways for ANZSCO Levels 1–3 (skilled roles) that require at least two years of relevant New Zealand experience will open.
• Employers in construction, healthcare support, logistics, and hospitality have asked for predictability; these dates give HR teams time to align contracts, permanent offers, and residence steps.

Wage thresholds and how they work

Wage thresholds must be met across the period of experience claimed:
– ANZSCO Levels 1–3: at least the median wage — $33.56 per hour
– ANZSCO Levels 4–5: at least 1.5× the median wage — $50.34 per hour

Key points:
– Time counts toward residence only if the job met the required wage level for that skill band during the claimed months.
– The government has removed the previous rule requiring a further wage increase at the time of the residence application. Now the focus is on pay during the qualifying period, not a last‑minute raise.

New trades & technicians pathway

A dedicated pathway opens mid‑2025 to address shortages in hands‑on roles (building homes, repairing infrastructure, maintaining services). Expected requirements:
– At least 1.5 years of New Zealand work experience
– Four years of total experience
– A Level 4 or higher qualification

Officials will release a detailed list of eligible occupations before the pathway opens, which will guide training providers, apprentices, and workers (e.g., welders, electrical technicians).

Practical steps for applicants

Applicants should track three elements simultaneously:
1. Job classification (ANZSCO) — determines which wage threshold applies and which route aligns with the role.
2. Wage evidence — payslips, employment agreements, and tax records showing pay met the required level for each month claimed.
3. Experience months — ensure the time adds up within the allowed windows (12 of 24, 24 of 48, or 36 of 60 months).

Notes:
– Gaps due to leave or employer changes may be acceptable, but the total must fit the SMC windows.
– Detailed documentation is often the difference between approval and delay.

Practical effects for employers

Employers benefit from:
– Reduced risk of losing staff mid‑project because of visa timelines.
– Clearer alignment of permanent offers with a predictable residence clock (two‑year standard).
– Fewer last‑minute payroll adjustments since the extra pay‑increase requirement has been removed.

HR teams should:
– Audit wage levels to confirm compliance throughout the claimed period.
– Map roles to ANZSCO and set calendar reminders ahead of the two‑year mark to prepare references and records.

Examples by role

• Software developer (ANZSCO Level 1–3): If earning at or above the median wage and completing two full years of NZ work, they could be eligible by mid‑2025, if other criteria are met.
• Chef (Level 2): Must track wage compliance for every pay period to count the experience.
• Warehouse supervisor (Level 4): Must meet 1.5× median wage over the full claimed period — a higher bar to satisfy.

Sector impacts

• Healthcare support: roles often at Levels 3–4; thresholds may split across median and 1.5× median.
• Construction & infrastructure: will rely heavily on the trades and technicians pathway; aligns with apprenticeships and vocational programs.
• Hospitality & tourism: must review job classifications and ensure wage compliance to retain international staff.
• Tech: the two‑year standard for Levels 1–3 helps fast‑growing firms lock in engineers and developers.

Documentation checklist for advisers and community groups

• Confirm the ANZSCO level of the role.
• Check pay meets or exceeds the correct threshold for each month claimed.
• Keep complete records: payslips, IRD summaries, employment agreements, role descriptions, and letters confirming duties and hours.
• Track the experience windows carefully: 12 of 24, 24 of 48, or 36 of 60 months as relevant.
• Watch opening dates: March 2025 (lower‑skilled reduced minimum) and mid‑2025 (skilled pathways & trades/technicians).

Important warnings and reminders

Time only counts if the job met the required wage level for the skill band during the claimed months. Missing documentation or under‑paid months can undermine an application.

• Verification will remain strict: time must be genuine, pay at the right level, and duties aligned with the ANZSCO classification.
• Hourly roles should keep records of hours worked since fluctuating weekly hours can affect total earnings and compliance.

Where to get authoritative updates

Immigration New Zealand will publish clarifications and the eligible occupations list ahead of the mid‑2025 measures. For the latest requirements and transitional rules, check the Immigration New Zealand official website and the Immigration New Zealand policy pages:
– Immigration New Zealand policy pages

Everyday impacts and closing advice

• For families, a shorter two‑year horizon reduces uncertainty and helps with school enrolment, housing decisions, and long‑term planning.
• Mortgage lenders may view applicants more favorably when residence is nearer, potentially influencing first‑time buyers.
• The change shortens the wait by up to one year for many applicants while maintaining wage and skill standards.

Practical to‑do list:
1. Plan a two‑year timeline if you are in a qualifying role.
2. Keep every document showing pay and job duties.
3. Confirm ANZSCO level and the correct wage threshold.
4. If in trades/technician roles, verify qualifications and total experience; watch for the eligible occupations list.
5. For authoritative guidance, review the Immigration New Zealand official website and consider tailored advice from a licensed professional.

New Zealand has chosen a middle path: shorter time to residence anchored by clear wage and skill rules. That brings relief and planning confidence for migrants, a predictable framework for employers, and a signal to communities that the country wants people who commit to local work — and is willing to meet them halfway with a timely, credible path to stay.