The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) offers migrants the opportunity to move to New Zealand to work and live permanently.
You may be eligible to claim points on your application for previous work experience or New Zealand qualifications. Your experience must be relevant, which means that your experience must be in the same field as your recognised qualification or current employment/offer of employment in New Zealand.
Points for work experience are allocated as follows:
| Years of experience | Points allocated |
|---|---|
| Two | 10 |
| Four | 15 |
| Six | 20 |
| Eight | 25 |
| Ten+ | 30 |
Bonus points
In addition to points earned for work experience, you may also be eligible for bonus points based on whether your work experience is in New Zealand or in an area of absolute skill shortage.
Bonus points are allocated as follows:
| Work experience in New Zealand | Points allocated |
|---|---|
| One year | Five |
| Two years | 10 |
| Three or more years | 15 |
| Work experience in a future growth area | |
| Two to five years | 10 |
| Six or more years | 15 |
| Work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage | |
| Two to five years | 10 |
| Six or more years | 15 |