Points-based residence visa for skilled workers with job offers or high points.
Varies
Min. income
NZ$4,290
Application fee
6–12 months
Processing time
Permanent
Stay duration
Skilled Migrant Category is a work route in New Zealand for relocation and residency planning. Points-based residence visa for skilled workers with job offers or high points. NomadIndex tracks minimum income, fees, processing time and renewal flags from linked reference sources (Dataset verified).
Skilled Migrant Category is a New Zealand work program listed in NomadIndex's mobility dataset. It is intended for founders, freelancers and remote workers comparing visa and residency options — not a guarantee of eligibility.
Overview based on publicly available information — not a complete application checklist.
| Requirement level | Very high |
| Visa type | Work |
| Minimum income | Varies |
| Application fee | NZ$4,290 |
| Processing time | 6–12 months |
| Stay duration | Permanent |
NZ tax residency after 183 days in any 12-month period.
Tax treatment varies by individual circumstances. Consult a qualified tax advisor before relocating.
Confirm all requirements directly with the issuing authority.
www.immigration.govt.nz
Last checked: February 5, 2026
Side-by-side comparisons involving New Zealand.
More visa options in New Zealand.
Similar programs in other countries.
See how Skilled Migrant Category stacks up against other programs or run a quick program match check.
Structured playbooks referencing this visa program.
Direct answers based on NomadIndex dataset fields — not personalised immigration advice.
Data methodology
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Dataset last reviewed: June 2026
NomadIndex data is for informational and planning purposes only. Requirements change frequently — verify with official government sources before applying.
NomadIndex is not legal, tax, or immigration advice. See how we verify data